Journal of Marine Science: Research & Development
Open Access

Abstract

Variability of abiotic factors on different time scales? ranging from milliseconds to decades at least ? is something organisms are well adapted to. However, most of this variability is regular, following distinct rhythms as e.g. seasonal or circadian ones. The situation becomes quite different in case of microtidal systems, where pronounced irregular variability diminishes species diversity to an extent that an anthropogenic pressure becomes almost undetectable. In contrast to ?catastrophic events?, this kind of abiotic variability does not reset the system, but seems to prevents the installation of saturated ecosystems. In this presentation the effects of eutrophication and subsequent remesotrophication of such a microtidal system will be shown, followed by an analysis of the mechanisms behind the changes in species as well as functional group composition observed. The results of this analysis will be discussed with respect to their consequences for environmental status monitoring; a proposed classification system, which overcomes the restrictions set by abiotic variability, will be presented at the end. The talk presents results of an ongoing common project on sustainable development of coastal zones ?BACOSA?, funded by the German ministry of education and research (BMBF).

Biography

Hendrik Schubert after completing his PhD in plant physiology in 1990 and Postdoctoral studies at the University of Amsterdam, he became appointed Professor for Plant Ecology at the University of Greifswald in 1998. Since 2002, he holds the Chair of Ecology at the University of Rostock, served as director of the institute, dean of the faculty, president of BMB as well as LTER-D and is senator of the University since 5 years. He published some books, more than 100 papers inreputed journals and is Editor-in-Chief of RMB.