Exploring ocean colour and lidar data in relation to Calanus spp. distributions from glider- derived acoustic scattering layers

Calanus finmarchicus is a vital component of North Atlantic ecosystem, yet their distributions remain difficult to monitor. Advances in satellite remote sensing and autonomous observing platforms provide new opportunities to map this key organism. We investigate the potential of ocean colour and lidar satellite observations to detect surface swarms of C. finmarchicus. As a proxy for its density and vertical distribution, we used the depth and backscatter intensity of Sound Scattering Layers (SSLs) recorded over two months by a Sailbuoy-mounted echosounder. The goal was to examine whether variations in these SSLs are reflected in hyperspectral ocean colour (PACE) and lidar photon-height (ICESat-2) measurements, evaluating the ability of capturing C. finmarchicus signals from space.