Abstract
In this project, we are focusing on the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that generate and maintain bacterioplankton diversity and how the mechanisms of coexistence are influenced by critical abiotic factors such as temperature, salinity and nutrient load. Experiments under carefully controlled conditions will allow us to understand how community dynamics, population dynamics and community functioning can evolve and be maintained under under environmental variability and simulated directed changes of climatic and other influences. The Baltic Sea is severely affected by over-fishing, high nutrient loads and toxic pollutants. It is also likely that the Baltic is particularly prone to be influenced by climate change because of its close connection with the terrestrial systems surrounding it. The recovery and resilience of the Baltic Sea is, of course, dependent on all of its biological components and abiotic factors influencing them. Recent research has shown that bacteria play a crucial role in the marine environment, especially in systems with a strong influence by input of energy and matter from land and rivers, like the Baltic. Our knowledge and understanding of the marine bacteria are, however, still very incomplete.
Sweden