Sensitivity and robustness of larval connectivity diagnostics obtained from Lagrangian Flow Networks

Lagrangian Flow Network (LFN) is a modeling framework in which geographical
sub-areas of the ocean are represented as nodes in a network and are interconnected
by links representing the transport of propagules (eggs and larvae) by currents. Here we assess the sensitivity and robustness of four connectivity metrics derived from LFN that measure retention and exchange processes, thus providing a systematic characterization of propagule dispersal. The most relevant parameters are tested over large ranges and over a wide region with contrasting hydrodynamics: the density of released particles, the node size (spatial-scales of discretization), the Pelagic Larval Duration (PLD) and the modality of spawning. Our results have implications to design connectivity experiments with particle tracking models and to evaluate the reliability of their results.