Impact of a climatic gradient on the Physiological Ecology of a Pelagic crustacean

Información del proyecto

PEP

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: MAS3950013

Proyecto cerrado

Fecha de inicio 1 Febrero 1996

Fecha de finalización 30 Abril 1999

Financiado con arreglo a

• Specific programme of research and technological development in the field of marine science and technology, 1994-1998

Coste total

Sin datos

Aportación de la UE

Sin datos

Coordinado por

Bundesministeriums fur Bildung,Wissenschaft,Forschung und Technologie
Germany

Objetivo

Frame:
Studies on functional marine biodiversity as a basis for understanding ecosystem structure, dynamics and resilience shall be focused on the Northern krill, the euphausiid Meganychphanes norvegica, as a pelagic model species. The pattems of diversity in this species - an important component of Atlantic communities - shall be investigated at specific locations in the north-eastem Atlantic, the Kattegat and the Mediterranean.
Objectives:
1 ) Characteristic abiotic conditions at three selected study sites are:
- The Atlantic off Scotland: deep and cool
- The Mediterranean in the Ligurian sea: deep and warm
- The Kattegat: shallow and therefore variable in temperature The uptake, intemal transfer, metabolism, and ways of storage of energy under these conditions shall be analysed and compared 2) The adaptive capacity of M. norvegica in terms of the rates, ranges and limits of physiological performance in relation to the differing climatic conditions shall be compared.
3) Parallel, it is planned to investigate the genetic differentiation in M. norvegica with respect to physiological function and the contrasting properties of the ecosystems.
4) Adaptive features shall be sought which would give clues towards the extent of eurythermy vs. stenothermy in the species. The differing climatic regimes at the three locations are considered as parameters of a "natural experiment". The results of the comparison can help in determining the capacity of M. norvegica to cope with long-term changes in sea-temperatures. The innovative combination of ecophysiological and genetic techniques can be applied in future comparisons with other zooplankton species.
5) In all three areas krill crosses different water strata during regular vertical migration. The influence of the different biotic and abiotic conditions, with special regard to temperature, on the physiology of the migrating specimens shall be studied, in order to try to identify cause and effects of this characteristic behaviour.
6) Numerous vertebrates depend on M. norvegica as a food source. The importance of krill in the food chains of the three ecosystems shall be defined and compared. A better knowledge of processes affecting population stability and biomass will positively influence the level of prediction of productivity and thus improve the ability to manage local fisheries.
Approach:
Particularly promising for the success of the programme is the complementary experience of the partners (BAH, LOBE, SAMS) on population dynamics and ecophysiology of M norvegica, so far gained at three study sites. The new genetic approach (UP) shall be closely interlinked with these main topics. The fourfold expertise is the basis for the planned comparison of Northem krill along the climatic gradient:
- Existing data sets on population characteristics are to be re-analysed and improved using modern methods of quantitation with respect to biomass, vertical distribution/migration, and population structure.
- Adaptive processes linked to nutrition, reproduction, metabolism, behaviour, and genetic differentiation shall be studied on the basis of novel techniques and new ways of interpretation.
- Local research shall be combined with integrating sea-experiments on a specially equipped research vessel as a common platform during two summer and two winter cruises. Thus, field studies, maintenance experiments, as well as physiological, biochemical, and genetic analyses will be conducted in close accordance.

Ámbito científico (EuroSciVoc)

• ciencias naturales › ciencias biológicas › biología marina
• ciencias agrícolas › agricultura, silvicultura y pesca › pesca
• ciencias naturales › ciencias biológicas › ecología
• ciencias médicas y de la salud › ciencias de la salud › nutrición
• ciencias médicas y de la salud › medicina básica › fisiología

Programa(s)

• FP4-MAST 3 - Specific programme of research and technological development in the field of marine science and technology, 1994-1998

Tema(s)

• 010102 - Practical and theoretical integrated ecosystem studies to model and define the resilience of pelagic and benthic ecosystems of marginal seas and ocean basins

Convocatoria de propuestas

Datos no disponibles

Régimen de financiación

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinador

Bundesministeriums fur Bildung,Wissenschaft,Forschung und Technologie

• Aportación de la UE: Sin datos
• Dirección: Notkestrasse 31 ; 22607 Hamburg ; Alemania
• Coste total: Sin datos

Participantes (3)

THE SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION FOR MARINE SCIENCE

Reino Unido

• Aportación de la UE: Sin datos
• Dirección: OBAN ; PA37 1QA DUNBEG OBAN ARGYLL
• Coste total: Sin datos

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA

Italia

• Aportación de la UE: Sin datos
• Dirección: VIA U.BASSI 58/B ; 35131 PADOVA
• Coste total: Sin datos

Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris VI

Francia

• Aportación de la UE: Sin datos
• Dirección: Quai de la Darse ; 06230 Villefranche-sur-Mer
• Coste total: Sin datos