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: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=611645
• 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速，特别是在气候变暖对我们星球的影响最大的北极地区，目前海洋生态新知识的获取速度超过了这一速度。然而，使用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上。浮游动物是微生物和动物之间、浮游植物(单细胞植物)和来自较高营养水平的捕食者(鱼类、鲸鱼、鸟类…)之间的重要界面。在接收太阳能量的薄表层和黑暗而寒冷的海洋深处之间。桡足类是一类浮游动物，体现了这一关键作用。这些小型甲壳类动物如此成功，以至于它们实际上是地球上数量最多的动物。在北极，少数几个Keystone桡足类物种组成了群落，这些群落是能量和物质转移的重要枢纽。桡足类将春季密集但短暂的浮游植物水华转化为能量密集型生物体(脂类)，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或氮等重要元素的生物地球化学循环中都发挥着关键作用。 拟议的五年研究计划旨在探索支撑北极桡足类群落组织、运营和应对环境压力的机制。我和我的学生将遵循四个具体目标，以更好地了解： (1)当从其他物种中分离出来时，从北极海洋生态系统中发现的物种中所发现的桡足类物种的适合度应该如何应对各种环境条件 (2)群落中的种间相互作用如何改变在第(1)点中研究的物种特有的反应 (3)在第(1)点和第(2)点中研究的个体和种群水平的过程如何放大以形成稳定的桡足类群落 (4)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，我们将结合使用理论建模方法和加拿大海域的应用生物物理区域三维模型。这些模型将得到加拿大在北极几十年的研究工作中收集的大量观测数据的支持，并将在即将到来的采样任务中获得，以及从国际合作者那里获得。 已经观察到北极海洋生态系统的重大变化，预计还会有更多变化。数值模拟是一种强大的研究途径，可以帮助我们加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械模型目前非常罕见，北极地区也没有。在这项研究中将开发的创新数值方法将使加拿大的研究保持在海洋生态学的前沿。它还将有助于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义务执行海洋保护区，或新型人为危害(石油泄漏等)对北极海洋生态系统的影响。