Particle counter for ecophysiological studies of benthic filter-feeders

我在本提案中要求拨款，以购买一台仪器，计算海水中悬浮颗粒的数量和大小。该设备将用于研究贻贝、牡蛎和被囊类动物（海扇贝）等海底生物的摄食行为。这些所谓的滤食性动物通过过滤水中的小食物颗粒来进食，通常是通过专门的过滤结构来过滤水。滤食性动物在沿海生态系统中发挥着关键作用，可以提供关键的生态系统服务。例如，贻贝和牡蛎可以作为食物种植，人们普遍认为它们的过滤活性可以改善水质。其他滤食性动物，如一些海squares，是入侵物种，可以迅速繁殖和竞争滤食性动物的自然种群，从而损害本地物种继续支持沿海生态系统的能力。这是贻贝和牡蛎养殖中的一个众所周知的问题，入侵的海扇贝可以迅速进入并控制系统，对水产养殖部门的经济可行性产生负面影响。尽管滤食性动物在沿海生态系统中的重要性，但其摄食行为的一些关键方面仍然不清楚。我建议购置的粒子计数仪器，将有助我们了解贻贝、蚝和两种入侵海？的进食行为。我的研究将确定（1）这些物种可以有效地保留在其过滤结构中的颗粒的大小和类型，（2）它们在不同环境条件下的摄食率和行为，以及最终（3）它们对生态系统的潜在影响。这将通过在现场和实验室受控条件下使用仪器进行实验来实现，例如，探索温度对摄食率的影响。我们收集的信息将用于多种科学和管理目的。例如，通过比较海水通过滤食器之前和之后的颗粒数量和大小，我们将能够确定它们可以有效保留的颗粒大小，这一问题仍在讨论中。我的研究小组将利用这一工具产生的知识将提高我们管理加拿大沿海地区的能力。例如，我们将能够（1）探索贻贝和牡蛎养殖对环境的影响，并因此提供建议，以保证这一重要经济活动的可持续性;（2）在实验室中模拟预测的气候变化，并探索入侵海square的潜力。最终，这项工作将有助于提高加拿大大西洋沿岸地区沿海区管理的有效性，并有助于在全球范围内促进改进水产养殖做法。

In this proposal, I request funds to purchase an instrument to count the number and size of particles that are suspended in seawater. This equipment will be used to study the feeding behaviour of organisms that live on the seafloor such as mussels, oysters and tunicates (sea squirts). These so-called filter-feeders feed by straining small food particles from water, typically by passing the water over a specialized filtering structure. Filter feeders play a critical role in coastal ecosystems, and can provide key ecosystem services. For example, mussels and oysters may be grown for food, and it is widely recognized that their filtration activity improves water quality. Other filter-feeders, such as some sea squirts, are invasive species that can rapidly proliferate and out-compete natural populations of filter-feeders, thus compromising the ability of native species to continue supporting coastal ecosystems. This is a well-known problem in mussel and oyster farming, where invasive sea squirts can rapidly enter and dominate the system, and negatively impact the economic viability of the aquaculture sector. Despite the importance of filter-feeders in coastal ecosystems, some critical aspects of their feeding behaviour are still not clear. The particle counting instrument that I propose to purchase will improve our understanding of the feeding behaviour of mussels, oysters and two species of invasive sea squirts. My research will determine (1) the size and type of particles that these species can effectively retain in their filtering structures, (2) their feeding rates and behaviour under different environmental conditions, and ultimately (3) their potential impact on the ecosystem. This will be achieved by performing experiments with the instrument in the field and under controlled conditions in the laboratory, for example, to explore the effect of the temperature on feeding rates. The information we collect will be used for multiple scientific and management purposes. For example, by comparing the number and size of particles in seawater directly before and after it passes through filter feeders, we will be able to determine what size of particles that they can effectively retain, a question that is still under discussion. The knowledge that my research team will generate with this instrument will improve our ability to manage Canadian coastal zones. For example, we will be able to (1) explore the impact of mussel and oyster aquaculture on the environment and consequently provide recommendations to guarantee the sustainability of this important economic activity; (2) simulate predicted climate change in the laboratory and explore the potential of invasive sea squirts. Ultimately, this work will contribute to improving effectiveness of coastal zone management in Atlantic Canada, and help to promote improved aquaculture practices worldwide.