Research
Non-belspo (2002-2006)
The temporal variation in the meiobenthos along a bathymetrical gradient (‘Hausgarten’, Arctica): impact of climate oscillations
Begin date – End date: Oct 2002 - Oct 2006
Project description
As part of the multidisciplinary study at the Hausgarten site, coordinated by AWI, the impact of changes in food supply, in addition to other environmental variables, on the smallest sized bottom fauna, the meiobenthos, is studied along a bathymetric transect from Vestnesa Ridge up to Molloy Deep, over a time period of 5 years. Since this transect is running parallel to the retreating Ice Margin it is expected that this area will be impacted by changing ice conditions. Emphasis is on the two most abundant meiobenthic taxa in the Arctic deep sea, nematodes and copepods which will be identified up to species level. These taxa are not only numerous but also diverse and therefore ideal model organisms to study benthic ecosystem processes.
Sampling was performed with the German ice breaker R/V Polarstern
during the expeditions Ark-XVI till Ark-XX in summer of 2000
till 2004. Sediment samples were taken with a multi corer (MUC)
to avoid disturbance of the surface sediments.
A grant from the Flemish Institute for the Advancement of Scientific-Technological
Research in Industry (IWT) finances this research. Promoter
is Prof. Dr. Ann Vanreusel and co-promoters are Dr. Sandra
Vanhove and Dr. Thomas Soltwedel.
Complementary resources about this scientific project
Project team
Project Coordinator:
Thomas Soltwedel and Michael Klages
Dr. Thomas Soltwedel
AlfredWegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research
D-27568 Bremerhaven
Germany
- www.awi-bremerhaven.de
- www.awi-bremerhaven.de/People/show?tsoltwedel
- www.awi-bremerhaven.de/People/show?mklages
Involved Belgian research groups:
Prof. Dr. Ann Vanreusel
Ghent University
Marine Biology Section
Krijgslaan 281, S8
9000 Ghent
Dr. Sandra Vanhove
International Polar Foundation
Rue des Deux Gares 120
B-1070 Brussels
www.polarfoundation.org