Plankton Time: Space Dynamics in German Bight: A Systems Approach

Long term continuous plankton measurements at Helgoland (North Sea) have provided a set of data which could be used for ecological functional analysis with respect to prey predator theory. Local dynamics display trophic feedback between selected populations. Phytoplankton, small copepods, Noctiluca miliaris, Pleurobrachia pileus and Beroe gracilis conform with theoretical assumptions. The functional relationships are less significant in averaged population dynamics compared with single ear processes. The local prey-predator cycles are to be understood as population waves travelling through German Bight. Such population waves over an area of 18 000 km2have been investigated and are displayed for the above given zooplankton populations as computer graphics and analysed in their progression for the population of P. pileus.