Latitudinal Discontinuity in Thermal Conditions along the Nearshore of Central-Northern Chile

摘要: Over the past decade, evidence of abrupt latitudinal changes in dynamics, structure and genetic variability intertidal subtidal benthic communities along central-northern Chile has been found consistently at 30–32°S. Changes advective thermal environment nearshore waters have inferred from ecological patterns, since analyses situ physical data thus far missing. Here we analyze a unique set shoreline temperature data, gathered over 4–10 years 15 sites between 28–35°S, combine it with satellite-derived winds sea surface temperatures to investigate transition oceanographic conditions suggested by recent studies. Our results show marked 30–31°S, superimposed on broad trend, small-scale structures associated cape-and-bay topography. The seasonal cycle dominated throughout region, but its relative importance decreased abruptly south as synoptic intra-seasonal scales became more important. response meridional wind stress also changed transition, leading sharp drop occurrence low-temperature northern sites, concurrent decrease corticated algal biomass. Together, these suggest limitation nitrate availability north transition. localized alongshore change interaction trends (e.g., stress, warming, inertial period) major headland-bay system (Punta Lengua de Vaca 30.25°S), which juxtaposes southern stretch coast characterized upwelling warm stratification. This likely generates number latitude-dependent controls processes that can explain species-specific effects, add strength suggestion an oceanography-driven, spatial coastal 30–31°S.