Synchronisation in two-dimensional damped-driven Navier-Stokes turbulence: insights from data assimilation and Lyapunov analysis

In Navier–Stokes (NS) turbulence, large-scale turbulent flows inevitably determine small-scale flows. Previous studies using data assimilation with the three-dimensional NS equations indicate that employing observational data resolved down to a specific length scale, ${\mathrm{\ell }}_{\ast }^{3D}$, enables the successful reconstruction of small-scale flows. Such a length scale of essential resolution of observation' for reconstruction $\ell^{3D}_{\ast}$ is close to the dissipation scale in three-dimensional NS turbulence. % Here we study the equivalent length scale in {\it two}-dimensional NS turbulence, $\ell^{2D}_{\ast}$, and compare with the three-dimensional case. Our numerical studies using data assimilation and conditional Lyapunov exponents reveal that, for Kolmogorov flows with Ekman drag, the length scale $\ell^{2D}_{\ast}$ is actually close to the forcing scale, substantially larger than the dissipation scale. Furthermore, we discuss the origin of the significant relative difference between the length scales, $\ell^{2D}_{\ast}$ and $\ell^{3D}_{\ast}$, based on inter-scale interactions, cascades’ and orbital instabilities in turbulence dynamics.