Details of Award

NERC Reference : NER/T/S/2001/00168

Recruitment and mortality of calanus eggs and nauplii.

Principal Investigator:: Professor AG Hirst, Heriot-Watt University, Sch of Life Sciences
Co-Investigator:: Dr RP Harris, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth Marine Lab
Co-Investigator:: Mr S J Hay, Marine Scotland Science, UNLISTED
Grant held at:: Heriot-Watt University, Sch of Life Sciences

ENRIs:: Natural Resource Management; Global Change; Biodiversity
Science Topics:: Environmental Physiology; Biogeochemical Cycles; Population Ecology; Climate & Climate Change

Abstract:: Mortality in marine copepods can be more important than fecundity and growth in the determine spatio-temporal patterns of abundance, biomass and secondary productivity. As the mortality of egg and nauplii is most variable, least understood, and yet by far the greatest, we place most emphasis on these stages. We will measure early mortality and its variability in Calanus, assess underlying causes, with the aim of understanding the consequences of changing physical and biological forces in the natural environment. We will perform detailed experimental work in the laboratory, make appropriate measures in the North Atlantic, and work at the L4 station off Plymouth, and Stonehaven off Aberdeen. The study will target fecundity and hatch success as recruitment terms, and the effects of food, starvation, and temperature on early nauplii development, growth and survival/mortality in C. finmarchicus and C. helgolandicus. Rates of cannibalistic predation and their control will be investigated, as well as determining which predators are most important at the North Atlantic stations.

Authorised funds only

This grant award has a total value of £111,339

Total - Staff	Total - T&S	Total - Other Costs	Total - Indirect Costs
£69,122	£8,034	£2,387	£31,796

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