How does light impact the ecology of artic zooplankton predator and prey?5 answersLight plays a crucial role in shaping the ecology of Arctic zooplankton predator-prey interactions. Studies reveal that artificial light alters natural light patterns, affecting predator-prey dynamics. Zooplankton exhibit synchronized diel vertical migrations in response to ambient light, with a strong light-escape response in the presence of artificial light pollution. Variations in light intensity influence phytoplankton growth and grazing rates, impacting trophic dynamics. Topographical features like seamounts can trap zooplankton in illuminated waters, affecting their vertical distribution and vulnerability to visual predators. Overall, light availability influences zooplankton behavior, predator detection, and prey survival, highlighting the intricate relationship between light and the Arctic zooplankton community's ecological dynamics.
How plankton diversity changes with depth in oceans?4 answersPlankton diversity in the ocean changes with depth. There is a stratification of picoeukaryotic communities along the water column, with distinct assemblages corresponding to the sunlit and dark ocean. Specific taxonomic groups either increase or decrease in abundance with depth, and the highest relative activity of picoeukaryotes is found in the mesopelagic layer. This suggests that the mesopelagic layer is a hotspot of picoeukaryotic activity. In terms of zooplankton, each depth strata is inhabited by distinct copepod assemblages, which significantly differ among the strata. The contribution of copepods to the zooplankton community increases with depth, with different copepod species dominating different depth layers. Overall, these findings indicate that plankton diversity changes with depth in the ocean, with different taxonomic groups and communities inhabiting different vertical zones.
What influences diel activity patterns of wildlife?5 answersDiel activity patterns of wildlife are influenced by human disturbances, including nocturnal predation and diurnal hunting pressure. Human activity has a strong effect on daily patterns of wildlife activity, leading to increased nocturnality in response to human disturbance. The impact of increased human activities on wildlife behavior can be observed in urban and agricultural areas, where wildlife adapts to human pressures by adjusting their diel patterns of habitat use. Temporal habitat is an important consideration in wildlife management and conservation, as animals may modulate their temporal behaviors to reduce risk and adapt to environmental changes. Anthropogenic disturbance, such as agricultural conversion, can affect wildlife behavior and lead to changes in spatio-temporal activity patterns, influencing habitat preferences and community interactions.
Is there a difference in phytoplankton according to seasons?3 answersThere is a difference in phytoplankton according to seasons. Seasonal changes in phytoplankton composition and abundance have been observed in various lakes and coastal areas. In Lake Baikal, the dominance of certain species and variations in diversity indices were observed throughout the year. In Lake Taihu, China, phytoplankton primary productivity showed obvious seasonal differences, with higher productivity in the wet season compared to the dry season. In Obsterno Lake, the abundance and species richness of phytoplankton varied between the littoral and pelagic zones, with different factors such as biogenic elements and temperature influencing these differences. In the Iroise Sea, mesozooplankton community structure varied over an annual cycle, with seasonal peaks in meroplankton abundance and variations in holoplankton distribution related to oceanographic conditions. In the coastal area of Sevastopol, the seasonal succession of phytoplankton differed in "cold" and "warm" years, with variations in the dominance of diatoms and dinoflagellates.
How does age affect movement in predators?5 answersAge can have varying effects on movement in predators. In the case of the brown bear, age seems to have little contribution to movement patterns, with season and body weight being the primary factors influencing movement. However, in the predator-prey system, differences in mobility between juvenile and adult predators can affect the dynamics. Increasing the mobility of adult predators can destabilize predator-prey dynamics, while changing juvenile mobility does not have the same effect. Additionally, stage-structured dispersal of predator offspring can stabilize dynamics and lead to novel spatial organization of predator and prey populations. Therefore, the impact of age on movement in predators can vary depending on the specific species and the context of the predator-prey relationship.
How does the light affect plankton density?5 answersLight availability has a significant impact on plankton density. In general, light availability is negatively related to mixed surface layer depth, which leads to higher plankton density. The light-nutrient hypothesis suggests that the production of herbivorous zooplankton is unimodally related to light intensity, particularly when phosphorus supply is low. Light fluctuations can also affect phytoplankton community structure and diversity, with fast fluctuations switching the competitive dominant from a gleaner to an opportunist, and slow fluctuations leading to stable coexistence. Additionally, variations in average mixed-layer irradiance can shape plankton trophic dynamics, with shallow mixed-layer conditions promoting growth exceeding grazing, while deep mixed-layer conditions lead to a decline in phytoplankton biomass and absence of grazing.