Dynamics and functions of pelagic copepod communities in a changing Arctic Ocean.

变化的北冰洋中上层桡足类群落的动态和功能。

• 批准号: RGPIN-2014-05433
• 负责人: Maps, Frédéric
• 金额: $ 1.89万
• 依托单位: Université Laval
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=588418
• 关键词: Dynamics; functions; pelagic; copepod; communities

The long-term goal of the proposed research is to develop the predictive capabilities of numerical models of Arctic marine ecosystems. The acquisition of new knowledge in marine ecology is currently outpaced by the acceleration of changes faced by marine ecosystems, particularly in the Arctic where the impacts of climate warming are the strongest on our planet. Yet, modern approaches using powerful computers can provide the means for effective forecasting of the impacts of these environmental changes on marine ecosystems. This research will focus on zooplankton. Zooplankton is an essential interface between the microbes and animals, between the phytoplankton (unicellular plants) and the predators from the higher trophic levels (fishes, whales, birds…), between the thin surface layer receiving the sun’s energy and the dark and cold ocean’s depths. Copepods are a group of zooplankton that incarnates this critical role. These small crustaceans are so successful that they actually are the most numerous animals on Earth. In the Arctic, a handful of keystone copepod species form communities that are essential hubs of energy and matter transfer. Copepods transform the intense but short spring phytoplankton bloom into an energy-dense biomass (lipids) available for higher trophic levels during a much longer period of time. As a result copepods play a key role in both trophic networks and biogeochemical cycles of important elements such as carbon or nitrogen. The proposed five-year research plan aims at exploring the mechanisms underpinning the Arctic copepod communities’ organization, operation and response to environmental forcing. Students under my supervision and myself will follow four specific objectives in order to better understand: (1) how the fitness of copepods from species found in Arctic marine ecosystems should respond to various environmental conditions when isolated from other species (2) how inter-specific interactions in a community alter species-specific responses studied in point (1) (3) how the individual and population-level processes studied in points (1) and (2) scale-up to shape stable copepod communities (4) how changes in copepod communities influence trophic transfers in Arctic marine ecosystems In order to achieve these objectives, we will use a combination of theoretical modelling approaches and applied bio-physical regional 3D models of the Canadian seas. The models will be supported by numerous observations collected during several tens of years of Canadian research efforts in the Arctic and acquired in upcoming sampling missions, as well as from international collaborators. Major changes in Arctic marine ecosystems are already observed and more are expected to come. Numerical modelling is one powerful avenue of research that can help enhancing our mechanistic understanding of these highly specialized ecosystems. Efficient mechanistic models of zooplankton communities are currently very rare and none exist for the Arctic. The innovative numerical methods that will be developed during this research will keep Canadian research at the forefront of marine ecology. It will also help addressing pressing management issues such as the development of new fisheries in the Arctic, the implementation of marine reserves according to Canada’s commitments or legal obligations, or the impacts of new kinds of anthropic hazards (oil spills among others) on Arctic marine ecosystems.

拟议研究的长期目标是发展北极海洋生态系统数值模型的预测能力。海洋生态系统面临的变化加快，特别是在北极，气候变暖的影响在我们的星球上最强烈。然而，使用功能强大的计算机的现代方法可以提供有效预测这些环境变化对海洋生态系统的影响的手段。 这项研究将集中在浮游动物。浮游动物是微生物和动物之间的重要界面，浮游植物（单细胞植物）和来自更高营养水平的捕食者（鱼类，鲸鱼，鸟类......）之间，在接受太阳能的薄表层和黑暗和寒冷的海洋深处之间。桡足类是一组体现这一关键作用的浮游动物。这些小甲壳类动物是如此成功，它们实际上是地球上数量最多的动物。在北极，少数关键的桡足类物种形成了能量和物质转移的重要枢纽。桡足类将春季浮游植物密集但短暂的水华转化为能量密集的生物质（脂质），可在更长的时间内提供更高的营养水平。因此，桡足类在营养网络和碳、氮等重要元素的生态地球化学循环中起着关键作用。 拟议的五年研究计划旨在探索北极桡足类群落组织、运作和应对环境强迫的机制。在我的监督下，我和我的学生将遵循四个具体目标，以更好地理解： （一） 北极海洋生态系统中发现的桡足类物种的适应性如何应对与其他物种隔离的各种环境条件 （二） 群落中种间相互作用如何改变第（1）点中研究的种特异性反应 （三） 点（1）和（2）中研究的个体和种群水平的过程如何扩大规模，以形成稳定的桡足类群落 （四） 桡足类群落的变化如何影响北极海洋生态系统的营养转移 为了实现这些目标，我们将使用理论建模方法和应用生物物理区域三维模型的加拿大海洋相结合。这些模型将得到加拿大数十年来在北极研究工作中收集的大量观测结果以及在即将到来的采样任务中获得的观测结果以及来自国际合作者的观测结果的支持。 北极海洋生态系统已经发生了重大变化，预计还会发生更多变化。数值模拟是一种强大的研究途径，可以帮助我们增强对这些高度专业化的生态系统的机械理解。浮游动物群落的有效机制模型目前非常罕见，不存在北极。在这项研究期间将开发的创新数值方法将使加拿大的研究处于海洋生态学的前沿。它还将帮助解决紧迫的管理问题，如在北极开发新的渔业，根据加拿大的承诺或法律的义务建立海洋保护区，或新的人类危害（石油泄漏等）对北极海洋生态系统的影响。