The ecology of rocky subtidal ecosystems of Newfoundland and Labrador

纽芬兰和拉布拉多岩石潮下生态系统的生态

• 批准号: 355875-2008
• 负责人: Gagnon, Patrick
• 金额: $ 1.24万
• 依托单位: Memorial University of Newfoundland
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2011-01-01 至 2012-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=482912
• 关键词: ecology; rocky; subtidal; ecosystems; Newfoundland

Marine coastal ecosystems are impacted by accelerating rates of species introductions, degradation of resources, pollution, and losses of habitats. Such forces, largely caused by human activity, alter the abundance of marine organisms and their interactions with the environment which makes it increasingly difficult to understand, manage, and predict changes in the structure and function of these ecologically and economically important ecosystems. This is true of the extensive shallow rocky subtidal ecosystems of Newfoundland and Labrador for which dynamics are poorly understood, yet presumably regulated by high physical harshness and altered by recent species introductions. My overall objective is to identify biotic and abiotic interactions that regulate the structure and function of these unique ecosystems. In particular, I will investigate how changes in environmental factors such as wave action, water temperature, and light affect the survival, behavior, and interactions (predation, competition, and facilitation) between dominant invertebrates, seaweeds, and fish (both native and invasive), and how these regulate population, community, and ecosystem patterns. My approach will combine laboratory and field experiments with organisms, as well as field surveys of populations and communities from below (scuba diving) and above (remote sensing) the sea surface. I have shown the utility of advanced remote sensing and GIS to map eastern Canada's shallow benthic species over large tracts of seabed. I will conduct further research to increase the accuracy and spatial scope of these methodologies to study subtidal ecosystems at broader spatial and temporal scales than is currently possible. The proposed research program will provide one of the first and most detailed studies of the causes and consequences of benthic patterns and processes in NL's subtidal rocky ecosystems, while increasing our global knowledge of subarctic marine ecosystems. By establishing procedures for broad scale ecology of subtidal benthos, I will also provide scientists and managers with the capacity to acquire novel ecological data that aid in understanding marine ecosystem functioning and conserving native biodiversity.

海洋沿海生态系统受到物种引进速度加快、资源退化、污染和栖息地丧失的影响。这种主要由人类活动引起的力量改变了海洋生物的丰富性及其与环境的相互作用，这使得理解、管理和预测这些具有生态和经济重要性的生态系统的结构和功能的变化变得越来越困难。纽芬兰和拉布拉多广袤的浅水岩石潮下生态系统就是如此，人们对它们的动态了解很少，但可能受到高度物理严酷的调节，并因最近的物种引进而改变。我的总体目标是确定调节这些独特生态系统结构和功能的生物和非生物相互作用。特别是，我将研究环境因素的变化，如波浪作用、水温和光照，如何影响优势无脊椎动物、海藻和鱼类(包括本地和入侵的)之间的生存、行为和相互作用(捕食、竞争和促进)，以及这些因素如何调节种群、群落和生态系统模式。我的方法将结合实验室和实地生物实验，以及对海面以下(潜水)和上方(遥感)的种群和群落的实地调查。我已经展示了先进的遥感和地理信息系统的用途，以绘制加拿大东部大片海床上的浅水海底物种图。我将进行进一步的研究，以提高这些方法的准确性和空间范围，以便在比目前可能的空间和时间范围更广的空间和时间尺度上研究潮下生态系统。拟议的研究计划将提供第一批也是最详细的研究之一，研究北极洲潮下岩石生态系统中底栖生物模式和过程的原因和后果，同时增加我们对亚北极海洋生态系统的全球知识。通过建立潮下底栖动物大范围生态学的程序，我还将使科学家和管理人员能够获得有助于了解海洋生态系统功能和保护本土生物多样性的新的生态数据。