Abstract Mesoscale fronts function as dynamic engines driving marine productivity, yet their cascading impacts—particularly their vertical ecological effects—across ecological and human systems remain poorly quantified. By integrating satellite observations with multi-year (2019-2023) underwater acoustic in the East China Shelf Sea, here we demonstrate pronounced spatiotemporal heterogeneity in the three-dimensional oasis effects of fronts across trophic levels. Among 22 fronts, 95% enhanced phytoplankton and fisheries aggregation, while only 68% and 59% promoted zooplankton and fish aggregation, respectively. And distinct preferences occurred between the cold or warm sides of fronts. Seasonal comparisons revealed that the average aggregation effect is strongest in winter and weakest in autumn, while diel cycles and vertical stratification drove intensified nocturnal aggregation in the upper layer. This study transcends traditional two-dimensional frontal ecology, deepening the understanding of ocean fronts as critical interfaces that couple physical forcing, ecosystem responses, and anthropogenic exploitation in shelf seas.
Nie et al. (Tue,) studied this question.