Publication Abstract

Advancing understanding of biogeography-diversity relationships of microorganisms in the North Sea

M. Sapp*, R. Parker*, L.R. Teal, M. Schratzberger*

Spatial scaling is an essential basis for understanding scales at which organisms interact with one another and with their environment. Large scale patterns of faunal distribution are thought to be influenced by physical environmental factors whereas smaller scale spatial heterogeneity is maintained by species-specific life history characteristics, quantity and quality of food sources, and local disturbances including both natural and man-induced events. It is still not clear which environmental parameters control the diversity and community structure of sedimentary microorganisms mediating important ecosystem processes. In this study, multi-scale patterns were elucidated at the Oyster Ground, North Sea (54°4’N/4°’E) and related to biotic (e.g. multicellular organisms) and abiotic parameters (e.g. quality and quantity of carbon sources in the sediment) to establish the relationship between the distribution of both bacterial and archaeal communities and their environment. Similarities of community fingerprints at various spatial scales are discussed in the light of habitat heterogeneity.