Patchy distribution fields: a zigzag survey design and reconstruction adequacy

A mathematical model was used to examine the effects of a zigzagsurvey design on the adequacy of reconstructing patchy distribution fields. The model simulates fish or plankton patches(or gaps) of different shapes and spatial orientations, and an acoustic survey by a set of transects forming a zigzag. Adequacyof the reconstructed fields to those originally generated was evaluated by calculating their correlations (r). A prioriinformation on the autocorrelation radius for the field in thedirection of a survey (R) allows optimization of survey design and the algorithm of data analysis. A patchy field can be reconstructed properly (r > 0.80) if the distance between transects D < (1.0–1.5)R. If a priori information onthe field is not available, the autocorrelation radius should bedetermined when reconstructing the field, i.e. a posteriori. In cases of field movement, the criterion for choosing a survey direction is based on the relationship betweenthe dimension of moving patches in the direction of movement andthat of the surveyed area. The results obtained indicate that, for a fixed transect spacing, zigzag pattern allow less adequatereconstruction of an original distribution field (in cases of both immovable and movable fields) than corresponding parallel pattern.