Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-71). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Picophytoplanktonic cells (0.2-2 μm) are the dominant phytoplankters in the largest marine biomes on Earth: the subtropical gyres. The overaching aim of this thesis is to develop algorithms that use remote-sensing observables to map the distribution of the smallest and most abundant member of picophytoplankton, Prochlorococcus, and assess its contribution to the marine carbon cycle. To understand how the photoacclimatory status and growth of Prochlorococcus and its sister genera Synechococcus are influenced by light and nutrients, experiments were conducted in the South Atlantic Gyre (SAG). Results from the manipulation experiments show that, in the central region of the SAG, nutrient addition can induce marked changes in the optical properties of Prochlorococcus cells when subjected to saturating light levels, leading to a decrease in cell abundance, whereas at the gyre periphery no substantive changes in cell growth or optical characteristics were observed. Since light plays a central role in shaping the distribution of cyanobacteria, an empirical algorithm based on relationships between Prochlorococcus abundance and remotely-sensed observables was developed. The outputs were then used in a modified primary production model to predict the vertical distribution of carbon fixation by Prochlorococcus. The models estimate that ∼ 3.4 x 10²⁷ Prochlorococcus cells in the global ocean fix 4.7 Gt C year^-1. Most of the cell biomass and primary productivity is concentrated in the subtropical gyres and areas near the Equatorial Convergence, and 61% of the carbon fixation occurs in the upper water column (0-45 metres), where only 43% of the cells reside. However, in the gyres, carbon fixation is highest (62%) in deeper layers (45-200m), and both cell abundance and carbon fixation show marked seasonal patterns. The models developed in this study provide an unprecedented view of the vertical distribution of Prochlorococcus cells and their corresponding rates of carbon fixation in the global ocean.

The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) was a period of massive range contraction for numerous taxa, including the water-dispersed mangrove species, Rhizophora mangle L. Following the LGM, R. mangle expanded poleward via propagule transport by ocean currents. In this study, we use microsatellite loci to characterize the genetic structure of nine R. mangle populations and compare potential expansion pathways that resulted in the colonization of the Florida peninsula and Caribbean islands. Results show comparatively greater genetic connectivity between the Caribbean mainland and Florida, a similar pattern between West Africa and Caribbean islands, and substantial admixture on the island of San Salvador, the Bahamas. We conclude that Florida and Caribbean island R. mangle populations were likely recolonized via different expansion pathways. Estimates of recent migration rates are low and populations are structured into three regions (Caribbean mainland, Caribbean islands, Florida). These findings provide insight for future management and conservation initiatives. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

In estuaries, like the Indian River Lagoon, mesozooplankton have a vital role in the food web by connecting trophic levels. In this study, mesozooplankton abundance and species composition were monitored weekly on the incoming and outgoing tides from September 2006 to May 2009. For the incoming tide, the mean abundance was 2298.2 mesozooplankton/m3 (+/-325.2), and for the outgoing tide the mean abundance was 1180.0 mesozooplankton/m3 (+/-153.1). The mesozooplankton abundance on the incoming tide was significantly greater than on the outgoing tide. The most abundant type of mesozooplankton was the copepod Acartia tonsa, representing 35.0% and 52.1% of the individuals on the incoming and outgoing tides respectively. Mesozooplankton abundance values were compared with environmental data obtained from the South Florida Water Management District. The strongest positive correlation was found between chlorophyll a concentrations and A. tonsa abundance, likely due to phytoplankton being the primary food source for A. tonsa. / by Miranda Hoover Kerr. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Wong Chun Kwan. / "June, 2003." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 211-231). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Ng, Ka Yan. / "November 2009." / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 329-399). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract (English) --- p.iv / Abstract (Chinese) --- p.ix / Contents --- p.xii / List of Tables --- p.xix / List of Figures --- p.xxi / Chapter Chapter 1 --- General Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Seaweeds as Beneficial Resources to Humans --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Seaweed Communities as a Habitat --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Reasons for being a Favourable Habitat in the Ocean ´Ø and the Coastal Region --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Characteristics of Seagrass Habitat and its Associated Faunal Communities --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Characteristics of Seaweed Habitat and its Associated Faunal Communities --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.3.1 --- Seasonality --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.3.2 --- Structural Complexity --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.3.3 --- Canopy Effect on Biota --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3 --- Marine Environment and Sargassum Communities in Hong Kong --- p.11 / Chapter 1.4 --- Study Organism: the Sargassum siliquastrum --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5 --- Study Significance and Objectives --- p.16 / Chapter 1.6 --- Study Sites --- p.18 / Chapter 1.7 --- Thesis Organization --- p.21 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Zooplankton Assemblage in Seaweed Bed of Sargassum siliquastrum and Its Temporal Variation / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Sample collection --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Data acquisition --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Data analysis --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Temporal Change in Zooplankton Assemblage Composition --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.1.1 --- Change in Zooplankton Abundance with Time --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.1.2 --- Temporal Change in Zooplankton Species Composition --- p.44 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Effects of Vegetation on Zooplankton Assemblage Structure --- p.47 / Chapter 2.3.2.1 --- Comparison between Vegetated and Unvegetated Habitats in terms of Zooplankton Community Structure --- p.47 / Chapter 2.3.2.2 --- Comparison between Vegetated and Unvegetated Habitats in terms of Zooplankton Abundance --- p.50 / Chapter 2.3.2.3 --- Comparison between Vegetated and Unvegetated Habitats in terms of Zooplankton Species Composition --- p.51 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Temporal Trends of Environmental Factors and their Relationship with Zooplankton Assemblage --- p.58 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Relationship between Zooplankton Assemblage and Seaweed Phenology --- p.59 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.61 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Macro-distribution Pattern and Temporal Change in Zooplankton Assemblage Structure in Sargassum siliquastrum Bed --- p.61 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Effects of Vegetation on the Micro-distribution of Zooplankton within and between Habitats ´ؤ Relationship between Sargassum Phenology and the associated Zooplankton Assemblage Structure --- p.66 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Species Composition of Zooplankton Assemblage in Seaweed Bed of Sargassum siliquastrum and its Potential Role as Nursery Ground for Fishery Resources --- p.70 / Chapter 2.5 --- Summary and Conclusion --- p.74 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Effects of Seaweed Canopy on the Structure of Zooplankton Assemblage in the Sargassum siliquastrum Bed / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.118 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.121 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Sample collection --- p.121 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Data acquisition --- p.122 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Data analysis --- p.123 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.125 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Effects of Canopy on Zooplankton Community Structure --- p.125 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- "Comparison between Control, Treatment and Unvegetated Habitats in terms of Zooplankton Abundance and Its Temporal Variation" --- p.127 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- "Comparison between Control, Treatment and Unvegetated Habitats in terms of Zooplankton Species Composition and Its Temporal Variation" --- p.128 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.134 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Effects of Canopy Removal on the Zooplankton Assemblage Structure --- p.134 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Role of Seaweed Canopy in Zooplankton Community and the Potential Impacts of Canopy Removal on the Coastal Ecosystem --- p.137 / Chapter 3.5 --- Summary and Conclusion --- p.141 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Epiphytic Faunal Assemblages in Seaweed Bed of Sargassum siliquastrum and its Temporal Variation / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.153 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.161 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Sample collection --- p.161 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Data acquisition --- p.162 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Data analysis --- p.163 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.165 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Temporal Change in Epiphytic Faunal Assemblage Composition and Comparison among Sites --- p.165 / Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- Temporal Change in Epiphytic Faunal Density and Comparison among Sites --- p.171 / Chapter 4.3.1.2 --- Temporal Change in Epiphytic Faunal Species Richness and Comparison among Sites --- p.172 / Chapter 4.3.1.3 --- Temporal Change in Epiphytic Faunal Species Composition --- p.175 / Chapter 4.3.1.4 --- Occurrence of Caprellidean and Its Variation with Seaweed Growth Stages --- p.179 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Temporal Trends of Environmental Factors and their Relationship with Epiphytic Faunal Assemblage --- p.179 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.181 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Temporal Change in Epiphytic Faunal Assemblage Structure --- p.181 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Species Composition of Epiphytic Faunal Assemblage in Seaweed Bed of Sargassum siliquastrum and Its Potential Role as Nursery Grounds --- p.191 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Distribution of Epiphytic Fauna in Seaweed Bed of Sargassum siliquastrum among Different Localities --- p.196 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Relationship of Epiphytic Faunal Assemblage with Environmental Factors --- p.197 / Chapter 4.5 --- Summary and Conclusion --- p.198 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Relationship of Epiphytic Faunal Assemblage with the Structural Complexity of Seaweed Sargassum siliquastrum / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.234 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.239 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Sample collection --- p.239 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Data acquisition --- p.241 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Data analysis --- p.243 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results --- p.245 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Effects of Macroalgal Structural Complexity on the Associated Epiphytic Faunal Assemblage Structure --- p.245 / Chapter 5.3.1.1 --- Effects on Epiphytic Faunal Abundance --- p.245 / Chapter 5.3.1.2 --- Effects on Epiphytic Faunal Species Richness --- p.247 / Chapter 5.3.1.3 --- Relationship among Parameters of Sargassum siliquastrum --- p.248 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Within-plant Zonation of Epiphytic Faunal Assemblage Structure --- p.249 / Chapter 5.3.2.1 --- Within-plant Distribution of Epiphytic Faunal Density --- p.250 / Chapter 5.3.2.2 --- Within-plant Distribution of Epiphytic Species Richness --- p.252 / Chapter 5.3.2.3 --- Within-plant Distribution of Epiphytic Faunal Species Composition --- p.253 / Chapter 5.3.2.4 --- Physical Parameters Associated with Each Zone of Sargassum siliquastrum --- p.257 / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussion --- p.260 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Effects of Macroalgal Structural Complexity and Biomass on the Associated Epiphytic Faunal Assemblage Structure --- p.260 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Within-plant Zonation of Epiphytic Faunal Assemblage Structure --- p.264 / Chapter 5.5 --- Summary and Conclusion --- p.273 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Synthesis and Perspectives --- p.320 / References --- p.329

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2007. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 339-383). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-131). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2007. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 339-383).

published_or_final_version / Ecology and Biodiversity / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy