Longterm Ecological Research
Taxonomic composition of Phytoplankton
During the last decades, the main focus was on the taxonomic composition and life cycles of phytoplankton. Since 1987, the taxonomic composition is investigated weekly in the main tidal channel of the Sylt-Rømø Bight. Samples are taken with two plankton nets (20µm and 80µm) and the composition of living phytoplankton is investigated with immersed objectives.
Current research focusses on the
following points: The influence of environmental conditions on the phytoplankton composition (analysis of the taxonomic time-series).
Taxonomy of benthic diatoms.
Resuspension of benthic diatoms.
Occurrence and taxonomy of Thalassiosiraceae.
Selected literature:
Drebes, G., Elbrächter, M. (1976) A check list of planktonic diatoms and dinoflagellates from Helgoland and List (Sylt), German Bight. Bot. Mar. 19:75-83.