Zooplankton ecology

We address the ecological effects of climate variability and long-term changes in hydrographic conditions on the pelagic food web and the dynamics of marine zooplankton. The focus of our research is primarily, but not exclusively, on the ecologically important group of copepods in the Baltic Sea and polar oceans. Using laboratory experiments, field studies, and long-term zooplankton monitoring, we explore the life cycles of various key Baltic Sea species and investigate how hydrographic and biological conditions influence the seasonal dynamics and productivity of species in different parts of the Baltic Sea. Our aim is to improve our mechanistic understanding to enable us to assess future changes in zooplankton productivity and biodiversity. This is important for the assessment of the ecological status, the modelling of climate change impacts and the future management of the Baltic Sea.

S2B - Shallow water processes and their relevance for the entire Baltic Sea

The shallow coastal areas of the Baltic Sea show pronounced short-term and seasonal fluctuations in environmental conditions and often differ in their zooplankton diversity from the open sea areas of the Baltic Sea. Within the framework of the S2B project, we are investigating the fundamental adaptations and processes that maintain these biodiversity gradients in the Baltic Sea. In addition to the analysis of the life cycles of the dominant pelagic organisms, we focus on overwintering strategies and recruitment, as well as their regulatory mechanisms in comparison to the open Baltic Sea. Our geographical focus is on the Greifswald Bodden, which is an important spawning ground and nursery area for the western Baltic herring. Physiological studies on the adaptation of dominant zooplankton to fluctuating environmental conditions and on exchange processes with the open Baltic Sea provide further insights into the resilience of pelagic populations with regard to the impacts of climate change. The role of estuaries as 'hot spots' and 'stepping stones' for non-native zooplankton species is investigated using the Warnow river as an example.

Here you can access the S2B website: S2B

SeaQuester - Climate change in subpolar and polar ecosystems

The rapid change in high latitudes is promoting the emergence of novel ecosystems in coastal and open ocean regions trough warming and the associated reduction of sea ice duration and retreat of sea ice. Consequences for the primary production, its utilization within the food web and the associated carbon flux into the ocean interior are presently unclear. Within the EU-Project SeaQuester, we are looking at how basal system shifts affect dominant grazing groups taxonomically and functionally in the Arctic, especially in relation to zooplankton-mediated carbon flux.  This includes documenting the taxonomic diversity of the phytoplankton and zooplankton community, using bio-tracers (stable isotopes and fatty acids) to determine diet and assess trophic level, measuring metabolic processes (egg production, faecal pellet production, respiration) of abundant Arctic zooplankton, and calculating carbon flux produced by dominant zooplankton grazers.

Here you can access the SeaQuester Website: SeaQuester

Long-term changes in the Baltic Sea zooplankton

We investigate the long-term changes in zooplankton biodiversity and population size in the western Baltic Sea, on behalf of the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), and in the central Baltic Sea. Our focus area are the Arkona Sea and the Bornholm Basin. This monitoring is an integral part of our research of the causes and mechanisms of changes in zooplankton abundance and diversity. We are currently particularly interested in the link between zooplankton phenology and the seasonal development of temperature and food availability.

Here you can access the Monitoring Website: Monitoring