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Temporal variability of viruses, bacteria, phytoplankton and zooplankton in the western English Channel off Plymouth

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2000

F. Rodríguez
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Campus Lagoas–Marcosende, Universidade de Vigo, E–36200 Vigo, Spain Centro de Investigacións Mariñas, Consellería de Pesca, Marisqueo e Acuicultura, Apartado 13, E–36620 Vilanova de Arousa, Spain, E-mail: frodriguez@cimacoron.org
E. Fernández
Affiliation:
Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Campus Lagoas–Marcosende, Universidade de Vigo, E–36200 Vigo, Spain
R.N. Head
Affiliation:
Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, U.K.
D.S. Harbour
Affiliation:
Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, U.K.
G. Bratbak
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, University of Bergen, Jahnebakken 5, N–5020 Bergen, Norway
M. Heldal
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, University of Bergen, Jahnebakken 5, N–5020 Bergen, Norway
R.P. Harris
Affiliation:
Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, U.K.
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Abstract

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The temporal distribution of autotrophic and heterotrophic components of the planktonic community was studied from samples collected weekly at station L4, located to the south of Plymouth, UK, from October 1992 to January 1994. Phytoplankton succession followed the typical pattern of temperate waters, the development of a summer Gyrodinium aureolumbloom being the most prominent feature. Bacterial numbers were significantly correlated with temperature during autumn and winter, whereas resource availability and predation, including viruses, appear to be the most important controlling factors in spring and summer. High mesozooplankton densities, mainly copepods, were observed throughout most of the study associated with a series of diatom blooms, and also during autumn when low phytoplankton biomass was measured. This data set was analysed in order to build up conceptual trophodynamic models whereby the role of biological communities on the cycling of organic matter could be inferred. The results obtained in this study provide empirical evidence supporting the existence of a sucession of trophic organization patterns in a coastal temperate environment. Classical models (herbivorous or microbial webs) appeared episodically whereas transition models (multivorous web) dominated throughout most of the seasonal cycle.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2000 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom