Spatio-temporal dynamics of growth and survival of Lesser Sandeel early life-stages in the North Sea: Predictions from a coupled individual-based and hydrodynamic–biogeochemical model

2013 ◽  
Vol 250 ◽  
pp. 294-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeren Gurkan ◽  
Asbjørn Christensen ◽  
Marie Maar ◽  
Eva Friis Møller ◽  
Kristine Skovgaard Madsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Biogeochemical Model ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Early Life Stages ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
Spatio Temporal

scholarly journals The consumption of zooplankton by early life stages of fish in the North Sea

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (9) ◽  
pp. 1650-1663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Heath
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Early Life Stages ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
Zooplankton Consumption ◽  
Zooplankton Production ◽  
Fish Early Life Stages

Abstract Heath, M. R. 2007. The consumption of zooplankton by early life stages of fish in the North Sea. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 1650–1663. Previous work has shown that during the 1970s, fish and carnivorous macrozooplankton together consumed ∼22 gC m−2 year−1 of mesozooplankton, principally copepods. Consumption declined to ∼17 gC m−2 year−1 during the 1990s, mainly because of a reduction in fish production. The zooplankton production required to meet this demand seems to be approximately accounted for by estimates of new primary production, but there are additional sinks for zooplankton production attributable to predation by, for example, gelatinous species. Additionally, the consumption of zooplankton by early life stages of fish is difficult to assess and could be larger than implied by the earlier analysis. Here, the role of fish early life stages in zooplankton consumption is re-assessed, and found to be approximately double that previously estimated. Some 28% of the zooplankton consumption by fish is now estimated to be attributable to early life stages, resulting in an estimate of zooplankton consumption by the fish community as a whole 14% higher. Taken overall, the consumption of zooplankton production by fish and other planktivorous predators is now estimated to be 19–25 gC m−2 year−1.

Life history strategy and impacts of environmental variability on early life stages of two marine fishes in the North Sea: an individual-based modelling approach

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 426-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ute Daewel ◽  
Myron A. Peck ◽  
Corinna Schrum
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Environmental Variability ◽  
Larval Fish ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Early Life Stages ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
Fish Survival

We employed a suite of coupled models to estimate the influence of environmental variability in the North Sea on early life stages of sprat ( Sprattus sprattus ), a small pelagic clupeid, and Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua ), a demersal gadoid. Environmentally driven changes in bottom-up processes were projected to impact the survival and growth of eggs and larvae of these marine fish species in markedly different ways. We utilized a spatially explicit, individual-based model (IBM) to estimate larval fish survival and a 3D ecosystem model (ECOSMO) to provide variable prey fields. The model was applied to each of 3 years (1990, 1992, 1996) specifically characterized by interannual differences in water temperature in late winter and spring. Our results indicated that an important mechanism connecting environmental factors to larval fish survival was the match–mismatch dynamics of first-feeding larvae and their prey, which was species-specific because of (i) differences in the timing and locations of spawning, (ii) the duration of endogenously feeding life stages, and (iii) prey thresholds required for larval survival. Differences in transport processes also played an important role for the potential survival of larvae of both species.

Spatial and temporal dynamics of European hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the North Sea

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 2033-2044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arved Staby ◽  
Jon Egil Skjæraasen ◽  
Audrey J Geffen ◽  
Daniel Howell
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Trawl Survey ◽  
Merluccius Merluccius ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
Northern North Sea ◽  
Central North Sea ◽  
European Hake

Abstract Catches of European hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the North Sea have increased substantially during the last decade, even though there is no directed commercial fishery of hake in this area. We analysed the spatial distributions of hake in the northern the parts of its range, (where it is less well-studied), using ICES international bottom trawl survey data from 1997 to 2015. We examine length-frequency distributions for (i) distinct modes enabling the assignment of fish into categories which likely corresponded to the ages 1, 2, and 3+ and (ii) patterns of seasonal spatial distribution for the different groups. Age categories 1 and 2 fish were most abundant in the northern North Sea, and appear to remain in the North Sea until 2 years of age, when they move into deeper waters. Their distribution has expanded into the western-central North Sea in the last decade. Age category 3+ fish were most abundant in the northern and central North Sea during summer, indicating a seasonal influx of large individuals into this area likely associated with spawning activity. The distribution of these older fish has gradually expanded westward in both seasons.

scholarly journals Do microplastics affect marine ecosystem productivity?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tineke Troost ◽  
Térence Desclaux ◽  
Heather a. Leslie ◽  
Myra van der Meulen ◽  
A. Dick Vethaak
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Secondary Production ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Biogeochemical Model ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Secondary Productivity

Marine and coastal ecosystems are among the largest contributors to the Earth’s productivity. Experimental studies have shown negative impacts of microplastics on individual algae or zooplankton organisms. Consequently, primary and secondary productivity may be negatively affected as well. In this study we attempted to estimate the impacts on productivity at ecosystem level based on reported laboratory findings with a modelling approach, using our biogeochemical model for the North Sea (Delft3D-GEM). Although the model predicted that microplastics do not affect the total primary or secondary production of the North Sea as a whole, the spatial patterns of secondary production were altered, showing local changes of ±10%. However, relevant field data on microplastics are scarce, and strong assumptions were required to include the plastic concentrations and their impacts under field conditions into the model. These assumptions reveal the main knowledge gaps that have to be resolved to improve the first estimate above.

scholarly journals Modelling survival and connectivity of <i>Mnemiopsis leidyi</i> in the southern North Sea and Scheldt estuaries

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1561-1611 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. van der Molen ◽  
J. van Beek ◽  
S. Augustine ◽  
L. Vansteenbrugge ◽  
L. van Walraven ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Particle Tracking ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Mnemiopsis Leidyi ◽  
Biogeochemical Model ◽  
Southern North Sea ◽  
The North ◽  
Particle Tracking Model ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
Tracking Model

Abstract. Three different models were applied to study the reproduction, survival and dispersal of Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Scheldt estuaries and the southern North Sea: a high-resolution particle tracking model with passive particles, a low resolution particle tracking model with a reproduction model coupled to a biogeochemical model, and a dynamic energy budget (DEB) model. The results of the models, each with its strengths and weaknesses, suggest the following conceptual situation: (i) the estuaries possess enough retention capability to keep an overwintering population, and enough exchange with coastal waters of the North Sea to seed offshore populations; (ii) M. leidyi can survive in the North Sea, and be transported over considerable distances, thus facilitating connectivity between coastal embayments; (iii) under current climatic conditions, M. leidyi may not be able to reproduce in large numbers in coastal and offshore waters of the North Sea, but this may change with global warming – however this result is subject to substantial uncertainty. Further quantitative observational work is needed on the effects of temperature, salinity and food availability on reproduction and on mortality at different life stages to improve models such as used here.

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