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Microplankton size structure induced by a warm-core eddy in the western Bay of Bengal : Role of Trichodesmium abundance

Chinnadurai Karnan, Retnamma Jyothibabu, Nagarathinam Arunpandi, Subramanian Pandiyarajan Rethinam, Singaram Parthasarathi, Shoba Santhikrishnan

Oceanologia

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2021

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No. 63 (3)

283--300

EN

Mesoscale warm-core eddies are common in the Bay of Bengal (BoB), and this study in the western BoB during Pre-Southwest Monsoon (April 2015) presents how a prolonged warm-core core eddy could modify the microplankton biomass and size structure. To investigate this, field sampling and laboratory analyses were augmented with satellite data sets of sea surface temperature (SST), winds, mean sea level anomaly (MSLA), geostrophic currents and chlorophyll-a. High SST with positive MSLA (≥ 20 cm) and a clockwise circulation, represented the occurrence of a large warm-core eddy in the western BoB. Time series data evidenced that it was originated in the mid of March and persistent there till early June, which in turn caused a decrease in the surface nutrients and chlorophyll-a. The abundance and biomass of microplankton were negligible in the warm-core eddy region. FlowCAM data showed a significant decrease in the autotrophic microplankton parameters in the warm-core eddy (av. 13 ± 9 ind. L−1 and 0.1 ± 0.04 µgC L−1, respectively) as compared to the surrounding locations (av. 227 ± 143 ind. L−1 and 0.8 ± 0.5 µgC L−1, respectively). Low nutrients level in the warm core eddy region favoured high abundance of needle-shaped phytoplankton cells dominated by Trichodesmium cells. As a result, the size of micro-autotrophs in the warm-core eddy was larger (av. 91,760 ± 12,902 µm3 ind.−1) than its outside (av. 50,115 ± 21,578 µm3 ind.−1). This is a deviation from our belief that the oligotrophy decreases the phytoplankton size. We showed here that the above understanding might not be infallible in warm-core eddies in the northern Indian Ocean due to its inducing effect on the Trichodesmium abundance.

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Structure of Dominance among Tree Species in Relic Swiss Stone Pine (Pinus cembra L.) Forests in Tatra Mountains

Zięba Antoni, Różański Wojciech, Szwagrzyk Jerzy

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2020

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Vol. 68, nr 2

159--171

EN

Pinus cembra forests are limited to the Alps and Carpathians. Although several studies regarding their structure were carried out in some locations in the Tatra Mts. it required further investigations. Therefore, the aims of this study were to describe the stand and shrub structure of P. cembra forests, compare their structure with the Picea abies forests and analyse differences between silicate and calcicolous P. cembra forests in the Tatra Mts. The data were collected on the 16 sampling plots (500 m2), in the Swiss stone pine and Norway spruce forests. We measured the diameter at breast height (dbh) of each tree and recorded the young trees and shrubs. In order to compare species composition between silicate and calcicolous P. cembra forests, we made 91 relevés in their entire range of distribution (917 ha). Furthermore, we examined the share of main tree species along the altitude and inclination gradients, using the GAM models. The tree density in the P. cembra forests reaches 618 stems per ha, whereas their basal area (BA) 23.17 m2 ha-1. Main tree species are P. cembra and P. abies. P. cembra dominates in the higher thickness classes. The BA and dbh structure varies significantly between P. cembra and P. abies forests. The most abundant juveniles are P. abies and Sorbus aucuparia. The differences between forests growing on different substrate are relatively low. The altitude has a significant impact on the share of P. cembra (increase) and P. abies (decrease). The inclination has a significant impact on the increase of share of P. cembra.

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Forest Stands in Phyllitido-Aceretum Community Occurring on Limestone Rocks and Shelves – Comparison of their Structure in Strictly Protected and Managed Forests

Baran Jakub, Bodziarczyk Jan

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2019

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Vol. 67, nr 2

105--121

EN

The aim of the study was to determine the structure of forest stands in rare Phyllitido-Aceretum communities, which grow in extremely harsh conditions – steep limestone slopes and rock shelves. Permanent research plots were established in five well-developed patches of Phyllitido-Aceretum communities from Kraków-Częstochowa Upland (Poland). Two of the plots were located in strictly protected areas of the Ojców National Park, whereas another three were established in the managed forests of Olkusz Forest District. The species composition of the forest stands was determined, including all dead and live trees and their diameters at breast height were measured. Moreover, the horizontal coordinates of each tree were measured to determine the spatial pattern of the trees. Ripley's L function was used for the spatial pattern analysis. The research showed that the patches of Phyllitido-Aceretum communities are characterized by rich species composition of tree layers; nine species were found. There was no significant difference in the species composition between the living and dead trees and the shares of particular species were similar. The density and share of live trees in the phytocoenoses located within the strict protection zone were significantly lower than in managed forests. On the contrary, the same parameters when calculated for dead trees were significantly higher in phytocoenoses located in protected zones than in managed forests. The spatial distribution of the trees in all the analysed plots (except one) displayed a clumped pattern, which is observed in various spatial scales and reflects the habitat mosaics and life strategies of species typical for Phyllitido-Aceretum community.

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Zooplankton structure in high latitude fjords with contrasting oceanography (Hornsund and Kongsfjorden, Spitsbergen)

Ormańczyk M. R., Głuchowska M., Olszewska A., Kwaśniewski S.

Oceanologia

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2017

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No. 59 (4)

508--524

EN

Zooplankton inhabiting the Hornsund and Kongsfjorden fjords on Spitsbergen (Svalbard) were investigated in summer 2013. The goal of the study was to determine how the zooplankton communities vary in environments functioning under different oceanographic regimes. Sampling was conducted with nets of different mesh size and selectivity (56 μm WP-2, 180 μm MultiNet, and 1000 μm Tucker Trawl), which permitted comparing a wide size spectrum of zooplankton components. Species composition did not differ substantially between the fjords, but the zooplankton in Hornsund was almost two times less numerous, and it had lower biomass per unit volume. The highest abundance at both sites was in the smallest zooplankton size fraction found only in samples taken with 56 μm mesh WP-2 net. These comprised as much as 71% and 58% of the total zooplankton abundance in Hornsund and Kongsfjorden, respectively. The communities in both fjords had comparable contributions of Arctic and boreo-Arctic species biomass in the year of the study. However, the comparison of zooplankton characteristics over several years showed changes in abundance and biogeographic structure that corresponded with variations in the physical environments of the fjords. The results of the study permit predicting the possible effects of the increasing influence of Atlantic waters on zooplankton communities inhabiting Arctic marine pelagic ecosystems.

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Invertebrate reproduction in astatic water bodies : egg number - body weight relationship in Viviparus viviparus (L.) from oxbow lakes

Jakubik B.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2012

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Vol. 60, nr 2

363-374

EN

Reproduction is the most important factor in population dynamics and invading freshwater habitats by Viviparus viviparus. This is largely associated with ovoviviparity of these snails. Some traits like steered reproduction, the appearance of young snails during the whole year, protection of embryos by female and delayed reproduction were fixed by natural selection as adaptations increasing the chance for progeny survival. In variable habitats like oxbow lakes seasonally joined to the river channel, Viviparidae start reproducing in the early stage of their life hence increasing a chance for population to survive. Studies on fecundity, embryonic development of V. viviparus and the relationships between these parameters and females. body size and weight, were carried out in oxbow lakes periodically connected to the river (the Bug River, Central Poland). The Bug River is one of a few European rivers which preserved their nearly natural character. No larger hydrotechnical works have been made in its valley, therefore, the river flows in a natural, meandering channel and forms numerous oxbow lakes. The surrounding of studied oxbow lakes is flat and of lowland character with mixed land use structure (arable lands, grasslands, settlements). Oxbow lakes are fed by the runoff from flood terrace, hence their waters are more fertile than those of the river. Two lakes were selected: Lake Szumin, area 17 ha, Lake Wywłoka - area 23 ha. Maximum depth of both lakes is ca 3 m. Samples of V. viviparus were collected in the years 2003-2007 with a bottom drag during the successive seasons from five sites in each oxbow lake. The embryos were found in females of the II (8.1-12.0 mm of width and height), III (12.1-20.0 mm width and 12.1-25.0 mm height) and IV (over 25.0 mm height and over 20.0 mm width) size classes. Three developmental stages were distinguished in embryonic growth: the oval transparent egg capsules (called the youngest embryos), egg capsules with visible contour of a shell (called medium embryos) and snails with a shell (the oldest embryos). The youngest growth stages of embryos (in a form of oval transparent egg capsules) dominated in all size classes of females. Medium growth stages (egg capsules with visible outlines of the shell) and the oldest ones (with shell) were represented in smaller proportion. The highest number of the youngest embryos per female were found in females of the II size class. The proportions of the embryo growth stages varied seasonally. The number of embryos per female and the degree of their development increased with the increase of shell (height, width, dry weight) and body (dry weight) parameters. High fecundity of the youngest females of V. viviparus is probably an adaptation to unstable habitat conditions of oxbow lakes.

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Formation and dynamics of the metapopulation of Senecio rivularis (Waldst. & Kit.) DC. (Asteraceae) at the limit of its geographical range : where, when, by what means?

Czarnecka B.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2011

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Vol. 59, nr 2

263-278

EN

In the studies on the metapopulation system two aspects are important: cognitive and practical. The former indicates that a metapopulation is a demographic structure of a higher level than coenotic or local populations and aims at recognition of relations between particular populations of a given species. The practical aspect reflects the issues of the dynamics and/or the extinction rate in particular populations and indicates potential habitats which can be colonized. The study of the Senecio rivularis metapopulation is created by relatively abundant population of ragwort in the Roztocze Highlands, Roztocze National Park, south-eastern Poland, recognized as the source population and three other called marginal or sink populations as well as potentially suitable habitats which are distributed as islands in adjacent hydrogenic areas. The distances between particular populations range from 1.3 to 6.5 km. As a long-lived, iteroparous rhizomatous clonal plant, insect-pollinated and anemoc anemochoric one, so having adaptations both for 'escape in time' and 'escape in space', S. rivularis may be treated as the model object of the study on the metapopulation level. The following hypotheses were put forward: (1) the spatial pattern, size and life-stage structures of particular populations reflect the time of their origin in the meta-system; (2) hydrochory is a complementary or alternative way of migration of anemochoric diaspores; (3) local watercourses and hydro-technical activity affect the formation and dynamics of S. rivularis metapopulation. The multi-aspect studies of the source population were conducted in the years 1987.2007. They aimed to establish the density, spatial pattern and life-stage structure of the S. rivularis population, both at a large scale, i.e. in the whole population (three times) and at a small scale, i.e. on the level of three particular clumps (four times). The size structure of generative genets and ramets in the whole population was aleborated five times. In the greatest of the other populations in the meta-system, the size structure was elaborated twice (2002, 2007) while the study of spatial and life-stage structures was done only once, in the first period, because of the disturbance of a greater part of the population in the next years. In the two remaining localities all plants were counted thanks to small abundance of the populations. Considerable changes in the spatial organization and life-stage structure of genets in the source and sink populations exhibited that colonization in the meta-system of S. rivularis proceeds in accordance with an island model of the 'stepping stone' type, downstream the river. Renaturalization of water relations of river catchment areas and construction of the so-called small retention objects affect the formation and dynamics of S. rivularis metapopulation which reflects at least some dynamics phases observed at the level of the source population: progressive, stable, fluctuation and/or regressive, and extinction phases. Knowledge of the density, life-stage and size structures of plants in a population facilitates a highly reliable determination of the development phase of a given local population in the meta-system and prognosis of its future.

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Egg number-female body weight relationship in freshwater snail (Viviparus viviparus L.) population in a reservoir

Jakubik B.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2007

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Vol. 55, nr 2

325-336

EN

Studies on the fecundity of V. viviparus were carried out in the years 1990-1994 in selected littoral sites of the Zegrzyński Reservoir (Central Poland) (60 km long, mean depth ca. 3.5 m, maximum depth at the dam up to 9 m, mean retention time from 1 to 15 days) and in outflow stretches of its tributaries. All sites were dominated by fertile females (i.e. having embryos) that lived in aggregations. Mean numbers of females ranged between 30 and 250 ind. m[^-2]. Females of III (shells 12.1 - 20.0 mm wide and 12.1 - 25.0 m high) and IV (20.1 - 25.0 mm width and 25.1 - 35.0 mm height) size class dominated. The embryos were noticed in females of II (8.1 - 12.0 mm width and height of the shell), III and IV size class and mean number of embryos per female was from 0.9 to 6.7, from 1.1 to 9.6 and from 2.0 to 9.1 for II, III and IV class respectively. Analysis of embryonic development revealed the presence of three growth stages in oviducts of females: the oval, transparent egg capsules called the youngest embryos), egg capsules with visible contour of a shell (called medium embryos) and snails with a shell (the oldest embryos). Embryos in a form of oval, transparent egg capsules and snails with developed shell dominated in particular size classes in analysed sites. Analysis of the correlation coefficient showed significant positive relationship between the mean sum of embryos and shell height and width, and dry weight of female's body and shell weight. Most significant correlation was found between dry body weight and mean number of embryos. The number of embryos in particular growth stages was also related to biometric indices as shown by the analysis of correlation coefficients. The number of oldest embryos (fully developed snails with a shell) increased with the increase of shell height and width. Female.s dry body weight, on the other hand, was best correlated with the youngest growth stage of embryos (oval, transparent egg capsules). Described relationships indicate the importance of the size of V. viviparus females for reproductive success and for survival and "condition" of young snails.