Publication Abstract

Phytoplankton blooms and fish recruitment rate

U.N. Biktashev, J. Brindley and J.W. Horwood

The relationships between phytoplankton and zooplankton production and fish larval survival to recruitment are examined by linking two generic models. It is first demonstrated that the phytoplankton–zooplankton models can be appropriately combined with a zooplankton–larvae–recruitment model. The combined model reveals some general principles. Recruitment tends to be a domed-shaped function of initial fish egg production. ‘Bloom’ phytoplankton conditions are important for high recruitments. The timing and duration of fish egg production is important in determining recruitment through their impact on the phytoplankton bloom. It is argued that optimal recruitment would be obtained if the duration of larval feeding was less than the duration of the phytoplankton bloom; a hypothesis which is testable.

Reference:

U.N. Biktashev, J. Brindley and J.W. Horwood, 2003. Phytoplankton blooms and fish recruitment rate.Journal of Plankton Research, 25(1): 21-33.