Grazing and Dynamics of Grazer Populations in a Temperate Fjord

在达博湾（华盛顿），一个温带峡湾， 浮游植物现存量和生产率的周期显示 春季和秋季浮游植物大量繁殖， 表明缺乏对食草动物种群的控制。 但几乎 浮游植物在水华期间产生的所有有机物质 最终被食草动物吃掉 此外， 放牧（每年约67%）似乎是由于 大型浮游动物悬浮进食者，微型浮游动物 次级食草动物 在达博湾放牧的概念模型， 发展，假设的身份，宏观和 微型浮游动物食草动物和假定机制， 浮游植物生长和 放牧 对概念模型进行了实地测试， 在2004年对Dabob湾进行了三次延长的研究巡航， 1990-91. 本项目将完成样品分析， 数据，并生成合成。通过直接测量， 将提供定量评估的机制和比率， 控制浮游植物生产动态的过程， 在一个高产的沿海海洋生态系统中的命运。

In Dabob Bay (Washington), a temperate fjord, the annual cycles of phytoplankton standing stock and production rate exhibit spectacular increases (phytoplankton blooms) in spring and autumn, indicating lack of control by grazer populations. Yet virtually all organic matter produced by the phytoplankton during blooms is ultimately consumed by grazers. Moreover, a major fraction of the grazing (about 67% on an annual basis) appears to be due to macrozooplankton suspension-feeders, with microzooplankton being secondary grazers. A conceptual model of grazing in Dabob Bay was developed, hypothesizing the identities of the macro- and microzooplankton grazers and postulating mechanisms for the approximate annual balance between phytoplankton growth and grazing. A field test of the conceptual model was developed and carried out on three extended research cruises to Dabob Bay in 1990-91. This project will complete the analysis of samples and data, and produce a synthesis. By direct measuerements this study will provide quanitative assessment of mechanisms and rates of processes governing the dynamics of phytoplankton production and its fate in a highly productive coastal pelagic ecosystem.