Funding agency: Institute of Marine Research, Marine Processes and Human Impact Program
Project period: 2024 – 2028
Project leader: Howard Browman and Alessandro Cresci
Co-investigators: Anne Berit Skiftesvik and Caroline Durif
Project summary
This is a long-term project in which we make behavioural and physiological observations of ichthyoplankton and zooplankton, in the laboratory and in situ, with the aim of delivering empirical relationships on vital rates, swimming and orientation for parameterization of various components of ecosystem and trophic interaction models. For the laboratory-based observations, we use microrespirometry, electrophysiology, microspectrophotmetry, flumes, plankton kriesel tanks, a plankton grazing wheel, a magnetic coil system to manipulate the field orientation and strength to which organisms are exposed, and silhouette and schlieren imaging for behavioural observations of swimming and escape response kinematics. For the in situ work, we use Drifting in situ Chambers, passive acoustics and tagging.
Currently, the objectives of this project are to link empirical data and biophysical models of larval dispersal to assess anthropogenic impacts on fish larvae at the population scale and provide knowledge of the biophysical processes – and how they are impacted by climate change and anthropogenic activity – regulating the dispersal phase of fish larvae of commercial and ecological importance in Norway.