Organisms that utilize the atmosphere for translation from one geographic place to another may flow within atmospheric motion systems along routes that are mediated by physical and biological features of the earth's surface. The pathways and timing of the flow of biota are to a large degree regular, and thus the movement of organisms in the atmosphere is predictable. This paper attempts to characterize a strategy to quantify the flow of organisms in the atmosphere in central North America. Our objective is to provide a conceptual framework to assist others interested in studying the role that the atmosphere has on the movement of organisms ranging from viruses to waterfowl.
The objective of the paper is to describe the biological and meteorological phenomenon that influences the flow of biota in the atmosphere by examining the processes from a regional perspective. In particular, we believe it is important to quantify the spatial and temporal scales at which the process of atmospheric and biological movement occurs. One of the drivers of biotic flow in the atmosphere tends to be the synchrony between biological and meteorological phenomena. The variance in this synchrony is crucial to understanding the timing and abundance of these flow patterns. The source of this variation in biological and meteorological features ranges from global scales to micro scales both in time and in space.
We plan to illustrate the array of physical and biological features that operate at multiple scales by focusing on airflow patterns and biological patterns that are characteristic of the Central US. We will characterize the confluence of meteorological components including the dynamics of Rossby Waves, the mid-latitude cyclones and the influence of landscape features such as topography and how these interplay with vegetation organization. We will examine the phenological characteristics of vegetation at a regional scale, which play a significant role in the temporal synchrony of life stages of organisms that are prone to move long distances under the appropriate meteorological conditions.
Such regional characterization of biological and meteorological systems requires a scheme for obtaining measurements of long range movement of organisms. We will examine the concept of establishing strategic sampling stations, following the example of the meteorologists who developed standards of measurement of meteorological variables long ago. We will suggest focusing on specific organisms representing the array of sizes and types that have been observed to move long distances, assisted by airflow. Finally, we will examine some of the techniques associated with the measurement of biota, the measurement of landscape characteristics and the means of analysis and communication of information about the findings.
The regional assessment of the frequency and amount of movement by organisms is gaining in importance. Development of transgenic organisms, changing patterns of weather, the mobility of exotic species and our lack of understanding of the role movement of organisms in the dynamics of ecosystems are some of the reasons for undertaking development of a plan to assess organism movement.