Abstract
Despite phytoplankton, viruses and zooplankton grazers being key players in aquatic ecosystems, only sparse knowledge exists of their seasonal and interactive role in the Antarctic waters. Given the global interest in the Antarctic Peninsula for its ecological importance to the food web, and for the climate change-induced environmental changes occurring there, it is timely to study the following barely explored objectives: (1) the temporal dynamics of phytoplankton, viruses and zooplankton in the coastal waters of the western Antarctic Peninsula, (2) determine viral lysis rates of phytoplankton and compare to micro- and mesozooplankton grazing, (3) examine to what extent viral infection affects the lipid composition of phytoplankton in field and laboratory and (4) establish how changing phytoplankton community structure and biochemical composition controls the lipid composition and overwintering strategies of dominant calanoid copepods. This project will be the first synergistic study on important interactive processes in the waters of the Antarctic Peninsula that are experiencing rapid environmental change. The temporal, comparative and integrative character of this study that spans trophic levels is unique, and will significantly advance our comprehension of aquatic food webs in a changing world.
Netherlands