Antarctic Krill Biomass Distribution Model Estimates

A 12-year model spin-up generated KRILLPODYM estimates of Antarctic krill circumpolar biomass distribution for five key life stages. The dataset provides spatially resolved biomass outputs from a mechanistic model integrating population dynamics, habitat suitability, and ocean transport. It was developed by researchers including Green et al. (2023) to inform sustainable fishery management in the Southern Ocean.

Use Cases

• Validate modelled krill biomass distribution for five life stages against field observation data.
• Analyze the influence of six key habitats on life stage survival and larval production rates.
• Simulate population responses to climate change by altering habitat suitability rules within the KRILLPODYM framework.
• Investigate spatial dynamics driven by underlying ocean currents and sea-ice advection on krill distribution.

Strengths

• Model outputs are based on a 12-year spin-up period, providing a stable initial distribution.
• Data includes biomass estimates for five distinct krill life stages, enabling stage-specific analysis.
• The model framework integrates multiple biological and physical processes, including six key habitats and ocean transport.

Limitations

• Data consists of modelled estimates from a single final year, not multi-year observational time series.
• Model initialisation used a non-informative uniform density, which may not reflect true historical starting conditions.
• The deterministic functions and habitat rules are based on published literature, which may contain simplifications or uncertainties.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network, based on research by Green et al. (2023).

Collection Method

Outputs from the KRILLPODYM mechanistic model, a modification of the Spatial Ecosystem And Population Dynamics Model (SEAPODYM).

Time Range

Represents the final year of a 12-year model spin-up.

Freshness

Model results were published in 2023, with dataset metadata updated in March 2026.

Geography

Circumpolar distribution across the Southern Ocean.