Marine ecology
The marine ecology group focuses on research about land-sea interaction and climate drivers of function and structure of the marine food web. One strategy is to investigate long term ecological time series and explain their variations on different spatial and temporal scales.
The water balance of the Baltic Sea creates a sharp physical-chemical-biological gradient from north to south, providing an opportunity to use the sea basins as full-scale experimental systems. Hypotheses are tested regarding controlling factors for primary production, respiration, fish abundance, fish migration, bacterial growth, food web efficiency , benthic organisms and algae. The time series analyses are complemented by experimental studies in a unique mesocosm facility, laboratory experiments with molecular methods and mathematical models.
Umeå Marine Sciences Centre with its ship and laboratory facilities is an important resource for the research.
Photo: Andreas Palmén
Research projects
Influence of climate change on the productivity in the Baltic Sea
Climate related drivers for biological oxygen consumption in the Sea
Salmon and trout smolt and postsmolt migration
Impact of boat traffic noise on coastal fish growth and reproduction
Ecosystem dynamics in the Baltic Sea in a changing climate perspective - ECOCHANGE
Water quality monitoring in the Bothnian Sea and the Bothnian Bay
WATERS - Waterbody Assessment Tools for Ecological Reference conditions and status in Sweden
Swedish Marine Sensor Buoy System
Coastal benthic and pelagic production in the northern Baltic Sea
Development of a classification system for assessment of ecological status of coastal waters using the quality factor phytoplankton
Selected publications
Ask, J., Reinikainen, M., Båmstedt, U. 2006. Variation in hatching success and egg production of Eurytemora affinis (Calanoida, Copepoda) from the Gulf of Bothnia, Baltic Sea, in relation to abundance and clonal differences of diatoms. J. Plankton Res. 28:683-694
Dahlgren K, Andersson A, Larsson U, Hajdu S, Båmstedt U. (2010) Planktonic productivity and carbon transfer efficiency along a north-south gradient in the Baltic Sea. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 409: 77-94
Eriksson-Wiklund A-K, Dahlgren K, Sundelin B, Andersson A. (2009) Effects of warming and shifts of pelagic food web structure on benthic productivity in a coastal marine system. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 396: 13-25.
Thelaus J, Forsman M, Andersson A. (2008) Role of productivity and protozoan abundance for the occurrence of predation-resistant bacteria in aquatic systems. Microb Ecol 56: 18-28.
Dahlgren K, Andersson A, Larsson U, Hajdu S, Båmstedt U. (2010) Planktonic production and carbon transfer efficiency along a north-south gradient in the Baltic Sea. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 409: 77-94.
Berglund J, Muren U, Båmstedt U, Andersson A. (2007) Efficiency of a phytoplankton and a bacterial-based food web in a pelagic marine system. Limnol. Oceanogr. 52: 121-131.
J. Sandberg, A. Andersson, S. Johansson and J. Wikner. 2004. Pelagic food web and carbon budget in the northern Baltic Sea: potential importance of terrigenous carbon. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Series. 268:13-29.
V. Kisand, N. Andersson and J. Wikner. 2005. Bacterial freshwater species successfully immigrate to the brackish water environment in the northern Baltic. Limnol. Oceanogr. 50:945-956.
Serrano, I., Rivinoja, P., Karlsson, L. & Larsson, S. 2009. Riverine and early marine survival of stocked salmon smolts, Salmo salar L., descending the Testebo River, Sweden. Fisheries Manag. Ecol. 16: 386-394.
