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Vertical migration of autotrophic micro-organisms during a vernal bloom at the coastal Baltic Sea — coexistence through niche separation

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Eutrophication in Planktonic Ecosystems: Food Web Dynamics and Elemental Cycling

Part of the book series: Developments in Hydrobiology ((DIHY,volume 127))

Abstract

Vertical migration of two dinoflagellate species (Peridiniella catenata and Scrippsiella hangoei) and a phototrophic ciliate (Mesodinium rubrum) were studied during the peak and decline of a vernal bloom at the SW coast of Finland. During the diel cycle, part of the populations of P. catenata and M. rubrum were observed in the deeper layers with elevated nutrient concentrations, while S. hangoei remained in the upper nutrient depleted mixed layer. Using a correspondence analysis the vertical distribution patterns of the species and chlorophyll a were examined over a temporal scale of hours and weeks. The vertical migration was reflected in much higher variability in the depth distribution of P. catenata and M. rubrum over a diel scale, compared to S. hangoei. The analysis revealed also significant differences in species specific depth distribution patterns over both time scales. It is discussed that the co-existence of the two dominant dinoflagellate species during the vernal bloom is due to niche separation through behavioural adaptations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Botany and Ecology, University of Tartu, Lai st. 40, Tartu, EE-2400, Estonia

    Kalle Olli

  2. Finnish Environment Institute, P.O. Box 140, FIN-00251, Helsinki, Finland

    Anna-Stiina Heiskanen

  3. Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, FIN-10900, Hanko, Finland

    Kaarina Lohikari

Authors
  1. Kalle Olli
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  2. Anna-Stiina Heiskanen
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  3. Kaarina Lohikari
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Helsinki, The Netherlands

    Timo Tamminen

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© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Olli, K., Heiskanen, AS., Lohikari, K. (1998). Vertical migration of autotrophic micro-organisms during a vernal bloom at the coastal Baltic Sea — coexistence through niche separation. In: Tamminen, T., Kuosa, H. (eds) Eutrophication in Planktonic Ecosystems: Food Web Dynamics and Elemental Cycling. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 127. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1493-8_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1493-8_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-5041-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-1493-8

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