Physiological Ecology:
Field Campaigns and Lab-based Experiments
Contact Investigator: Dr. Rainer Knust
beam trawl
Field investigations give background information about differences in growth and fecundity and feeding conditions of species in different climatic regions. The data are linked to experimental work designed to identify energy budgets in organisms and the physiological background of processes driving growth and fecundity in the field (e.g. Pörtner and Knust, 2007).
Studies of geographical distribution, biomass and abundance:
Diagramm
The analysis of long term datasets on geographical distribution, abundance and biomass of individual species and species assemblages identify changes in the field and give hints for possible relationships between abiotic factors and changes in biodiversity. For an identification of underlying mechanisms field data are compared with information obtained in physiological studies of, e.g., thermal tolerance and temperature dependent energy transfer. Energy transfer and allocation within an organism are measured by use of 1H-13C-NMR spectroscopy. These analyses form the basis for future modelling work with the goal to predict climate dependent changes in the marine environment.
Experiments on growth performance and energy allocation:
Growth and fecundity shape population dynamics and are key parameters reflecting fitness depending on environmental conditions. Energy availability for growth and fecundity is restricted to the thermal window. Experimental studies of growth and energy allocation combined with those on regulatory mechanisms at molecular to organismic levels are needed to understand the mechanistic background of fitness and population dynamics in various climate conditions.
Methods:
- Measurements of growth, fecundity, age structure and feeding condition in the field
- Analysis of geographical distribution, abundance, biomass and population dynamics in different climatic regions.
- Experimental work on growth and energy budget at the whole organism level
