Linking stage-resolved population models with field observations: an integrated approasch on population dynamics of Pseudocalanus elongatus in the German Bight

摘要

The population dynamics of Pseudocalanus elongatus have been investigated within udthe framework of the GLOBEC-Ger many project to gain a better understanding udof its life cycle and population dynamics and to estimate secondary production in udthe North Sea. During an intensive field study in the Ger man Bight between udFebruary and October 2004, experiments on reproduction were perfor med and uddata on length of copepodids and abundance were collected to characterize the udpopulation in the southern North Sea. This data set was used to update the litera- udture-based parameterization of a population model for P. elongatus to investigate the udpopulation dynamics, life history and production in the Ger man Bight. The udability of data to improve population models is also discussed. Pseudocalanus elongatus udwas found to be a major contributor to carbon uptake contributing about one- udthird of copepod production. Though the spatial variability in field observations udwas not reflected by the model, the simulation matched data within one order of udmagnitude at most stations. The high-resolution field observations and exper- udiments mainly improved the parameterization of the reproductive parameters. udMortality is found to be a critical parameter due to its influence on population udsize. Using constant rates, though based on observation-derived estimates, seems udnot to capture realistic variability. Our study confirms the need for experimental udand field data to build a robust parameterization for concentration-based udpopulation models.