LAKRIS
Krill catch
Lazarev Sea Krill Study
The BMBF funded a programme to study krill biology, physiology and population dynamics in the physical environment with special emphasis on the overwintering conditions in the Southern Ocean. Read the overview article about the project.
LAKRIS comprises of 5 sub-projects.
Aims and Questions
Frozen RMT on board of RV Polarstern during the winter expedition ANT XXIII/6 in June 2006 in the Lazarev Sea.
The aim of the project is to determine the population dynamics and the physiological conditions of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) in the Lazarev Sea on an annual cycle by considering the physical conditions in the ocean. To support a future program for sustainable management of krill, we will address the fowllowing questions:
1) What is the actual abundance of krill and what might cause possible fluctuations?
2) Do we find one or more krill populations in the Lazarev Sea? In other words, does krill essentially drift with ocean currents and is therefore transported all around the Antarctic continent? Or do we find distinct populations in different parts of the Southern Ocean that might be managed as stand-alone populations?
3) How does krill (all developmental stages) survive the long Antarctic winter? What physiological mechanisms have been evolved and what are the survival rates of larvae, sub-adults and adults under different environmental conditions?
The LAKRIS project is the German contribution to the IGBP programs SO-GLOBEC and a precursor program for ICED. LAKRIS will contribute to the German IPY activities.
Area of research for LAKRIS, the Lazarev Sea
Cruise track of FS Polarstern for the expedition ANT XXIII/2.