Utilising computational simulations and data measurements to quantify and assess the ecological impacts of wind flow across Marion Island

Abstract

Although it is commonly assumed that the presence of high wind velocities has a significant impact on the biotic and abiotic systems on Marion Island, there is very little quantitative data available on the within-island variation in wind speed and direction. It has also been suggested that the forecast changes in regional climate patterns will affect the local climate around the Prince Edward Islands. Therefore, to predict the effects of a potential change in wind characteristics in and around the islands, it is necessary to understand the influence of contemporary dominant wind patterns on the current distribution of biotic communities and abiotic processes. By using modern computational simulations together with field quantified wind data, this project aims to model within-island wind flow and its ecological impacts. Since computational simulations, although generally dependable, are based on theoretical knowledge of fluid flow, it is necessary to validate a computational model experimentally or with full-scale measured data. In the present case, the validation method employed consists of deploying a series of wind speed and direction sensors strategically placed across the island. The sensors will be deployed in the take-over period in 2018 and will log wind data for a period of two years. The locations in which the wind sensors are deployed are critical in ensuring effective validation of the computational model and are the focus of this talk. A comparison of measured and simulated absolute values and flow trends aims to verify the computational model, after which the simulated flow patterns may be used to analyse additional flow features and how they may change according to a change in dominant wind direction and speed. - Abstract as displayed in the - Abstract booklet. The presentation on the day may differ from the - Abstract.