[Objectives]:
The aim of this research is to estimate the role of zooplanktivory in structuring of tritrophic pelagic ecosystems. The following questions will be addressed:
(1) How and how far does the disturbance (zooplanktivory) percolate through the food web?,
(2) What feedback mechanisms reduce the response to disturbance?,
(3) How do these factors depend on boundary conditions of the experimental system?,
(4) Is it possible to establish (multiple) stable plankton communities in micro- or mesocosms, so that the questions mentioned above can be answered?,
(5) Is it possible to add zooplankton in such a way that self-sustaining systems with diverse zooplankton communities still exist? How can the zooplankton-phytoplankton interactions be observed? How much (artificial) predation has to be applied on the zooplankton?
(6) Is it possible to add a predator (zooplanktivore) to the system, in such a way that system responses to predation can be monitored during several weeks/months?
(7) Do the described key processes only apply to this particular system, or can the micro- and mesocosms be applied for the creation and testing of general food web theories?
[Planning 2005]:
On February 17th Anthony Verschoor will defend his PhD thesis. |
