Dynamics of zooplankton and lower trophic organisms in the subarctic Pacific

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  • Tsuda Atsushi
    Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo

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Other Title
  • 亜寒帯北太平洋における動物プランクトンを中心とした低次生態系の動態に関する研究
  • 2012年度日本海洋学会賞受賞記念論文 亜寒帯北太平洋における動物プランクトンを中心とした低次生態系の動態に関する研究
  • 2012ネンド ニホン カイヨウ ガッカイショウ ジュショウ キネン ロンブン アカンタイ キタタイヘイヨウ ニ オケル ドウブツ プランクトン オ チュウシン ト シタ テイジ セイタイケイ ノ ドウタイ ニ カンスル ケンキュウ

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Abstract

<p>The subarctic Pacific has been recognized as a productive ocean. In contrast, the subarctic Pacific except the marginal areas such as the Oyashio region is characterized by constantly low algal biomass and high nutrient concentration. The recent findings of iron enrichment experiments such as SEEDS (Subarctic Pacific Iron Experiment for Ecosystem Dynamics Study) confirmed that the main factor of the HNLC (High Nutrient Low Chlorophyll) was iron limitation for algal production. However, SEEDS II, which was characterized by a small increase of algal biomass to iron input, suggested grazing by ontogenetically migrating copepods has potential to control the algal biomass in the abundant year. These copepods transport large amount of organic carbon from the surface to the mesopelagic layer by ontogenetic migration, which add a novel pass of carbon cycling in the ocean. Detailed life history studies of ontogenetic migrating copepods revealed existence of genetically identified populations, locally variable seasonality and vertical distributions, and differences in life history strategies in the fluctuating environments. The studies of the related species in the subtropical Pacific suggested that adaptation to the oligotrophic environment facilitated the adaptive radiation of Neocalanus copepods in the HNLC ocean, and the ontogenetic vertical migration was a commonly observed strategy from the subarctic to subtropical species of copepods. In a series of studies, our understanding on the biology and ecology of copepods were largely improved, and it was clarified the important roles of copepods in the food-web dynamics and biogeochemical cycles.</p>

Journal

  • Oceanography in Japan

    Oceanography in Japan 22 (3), 85-96, 2013-05-15

    The Oceanographic Society of Japan

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