Foodweb Dynamics of Mangrove Habitats in Pakistan

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Description: This project supports cooperative research by Dr. Saiyed I. Ahmed, School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, and Dr. G.S. Quraishee, Director, National Institute of Oceanography, Karachi, Pakistan, on the foodweb dynamics of mangrove habitat. The research objective is to determine the relative flow of carbon and energy from mangrove and algal detritus to the aquatic foodweb. This information would help identify the relationship between environmental and anthropogenic disturbances and these fluxes and the mangrove foodweb. The study will: 1. Examine the phenology of Pakistani mangroves with emphasis on leaf-litter production 2. Study decomposition of mangrove leaves and determine the availability of the resulting particulate and disolved organic carbon to bacteria and other aquatic foodweb components such as benthic invertebrates 3. Determine the relative contribution of mangroves and algae to the primary productivity of this estuarine ecosystem and 4. Determine the distribution and productivity of bacteria and phytoplankton and their relationship with nutrients and other chemical factors. Scope: The project will involve extensive field work in the deltaic area of the Indus river near Karachi in Pakistan. The work will involve several U.S. scientists and graduate students from the University of Washington, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of Georgia and University of Miami, and from Pakistan's NIO with logistical support provided by the NIO, and the Pakistan Navy, through its research vessel as needed. The Indus delta provides a suitable field for this research by allowing for studies in the dry season (pre-monsoon), during the rainy season, and subsequent to the cessation of rains, thus permitting study of the changes in a variety of physical and chemical factors. Laboratory work in microbiology and physiology will be done in the U.S. and will allow for training of NIO staff. This will enhance the capabilities for the field work. The Office of Naval Research is partially supporting this research by providing Pakistani currency funds.