TECNICO EN SISTEMAS

The experimental studies in this thesis showed that bioturbation and benthic predation or egg de- struction can have far-reaching effects on the pelagic ecosystem. I suggest that the ongoing changes in zoobenthic communities are reflected in the quality of the soft-sediment habitats and the efficiency of internal nutrient cycling and, thus, the positive feed- back that accelerates eutrophication, as well as to the coupling of benthic and pelagic populations in zoo- plankton. Apart from infauna, nectobenthic mysids proved highly versatile compartments of the benthic ecosystem.

A number of sediment-dwelling organisms con- tribute to the fate of zooplankton dormant eggs; de- pending on the composition of both the zooplankton and the macrofaunal communities, emergence may be inhibited or facilitated. In the field, sedimentation of zooplankton eggs upon their release in the pelagic zone results in a near-surface peak in egg density. Hence, in areas dominated by surface deposit feed- ers, the macrofauna probably exerts strong predation pressure on newly produced eggs. However, an in- creased risk of being eaten during the benthic life stage may be balanced by a lowered risk of being permanently buried. Overall, surface deposit feeders markedly changed the emergence patterns in zoo- plankton, and it is probable that in sea areas inhab- ited by deep-burrowing gallery-building or con- veyer-belt species, the effect of bioturbation on zoo- plankton emergence is even more pronounced (cf. Marcus & Schmidt-Gengenbach 1986).

In shallow-water aquatic ecosystems, it is estab- lished that benthic processes play a key role in de- termining the overall productivity and functioning of the ecosystem. However, it is also important to re- alize that the communities in the benthos may es- sentially contribute to the structure of those in the plankton.

Acknowledgements

First of all, I want to thank my supervisors Markku Viitasalo and Maiju Lehtiniemi, to whom I’m in great debt. My sincerest thanks go to Markku, without whom this work would not exist. He first introduced me to the world of experimental research and taught me the principals of scientific thinking and writing. Thank you for all your help, and discus- sions covering a wide spectrum of issues from study ideas and practical details to the scientific outcome of the work.

My warmest thanks go to Maiju, who has ad- vised and helped me all the way with all the practi- cal and theoretical problems I‘ve encountered. Most

of what I’ve learnt from experimental research I’ve learnt from her. Our frequent discussions about pro- fessional as well as other subjects have been of great importance to me and to my work. Thank you for your support and friendship, and for your admirable attitude of never giving in.

Tarja Katajisto has taught me a lot about zoo- plankton resting eggs and Soili Saesmaa has taught me zooplankton identification and helped me with zooplankton counting. Ann-Brit Andersin, Ari Laine and Tiina Laakkonen have helped and advised me with benthic fauna aboard the R/V Aranda and in the laboratory. Janne Bruun is acknowledged for helping to produce the outstanding videoclips. Susanna Hietanen provided me important advice concerning sediment chemistry, and Magnus Lindström helped and advised me numerous times in handling and sustaining delicate benthic animals, for which I’m wholeheartedly grateful. Discussions with Alf and Joanna Norkko concerning benthic ecology greatly extended my insight into the complexity of the un- derwater world. Frédérique François Carcaillet kindly calculated the particle transport coefficients and Hannu Rita provided advice with some statisti- cal questions. Juhani Rapo constructed the sediment slicing system and Jari-Pekka Pääkkönen helped me to create the maps for the thesis as well as some other graphics for the articles.

I want to express my warm gratitude to the staff of the Tvärminne Zoological Station, which is the scene of all the experimental work included in this thesis. I cannot imagine a better place for the pur- pose. Jouko Pokki welcomed me to Tvärminne from the beginning, and Laila Keynäs, Eva Sandberg- Kilpi, Marko Reinikainen, Ann-Marie Åström, Ulla Sjölund and Raija Myllymäki have been most help- ful with a large scope of practical things. The skilful construction of various research devices as well as invaluable assistance in the field by Torsten Sjölund is deeply appreciated and acknowledged. In addi- tion, a number of colleagues from various parts of Europe have shared some long months with me at the station and made working there much more in- spiring.

People at the Finnish Institute of Marine Re- search (FIMR), especially at the Department of Biological Oceanography, have made these years a lot more fun and I also highly appreciate all the ex- pertise, knowledge and assistance I’ve received. Working at FIMR has been very inspiring. Helena Huttunen and Anne Martikainen have been very helpful in tracking a diverse assortment of literature for me from all around Scandinavia, and Leena Parkkonen and Leena Roine have taken care of the editorial work.

Insightful comments by Make, Maiju, Tarja and Alf as well as the pre-reviewers Erik Bonsdorff and Erik Kristensen greatly improved the manuscript of this thesis.

Apart from a few solitary months, this work was entirely funded by the Onni Talas Foundation, which is gratefully acknowledged. Additional funding was provided by the Walter and Andrée de Nottbeck Foundation and FIMR. I also wish to thank Jorma Kuparinen and Harri Kuosa for being helpful with applying for the funding and managing my studies at the university.

A huge hug goes to the amazing Ezeco research group (Maiju, Eve, Jonna, JP, Miina, Make, Roope, Sanna, Sanna and Tarja). I’ve received a lot of in- valuable help in all sorts of practical and mental things in the office, in the field and in the laboratory. It has been a privilege to work in such a team. I’ll never forget the legendary fancy dress party Naamiassitsit, featuring the conspicuous Water Col- umn, Nodularia spumigena and Hemimysis

anomala, and Roope, I can’t begin to tell you how

much I love your sushi!

There are a few keystones in one’s life, and these include family and friends. The rest is only sand (or, even worse, mud!). My parents and my family have always understood and supported me with my not- so-economically-reasonable choice of devoting my heart to marine science. I also want to thank all my friends for their patience and for understanding (and smiling at) my strange enthusiasm for weird ani- mals. And I cannot help myself from thanking all you wonderful ‘Esto’ people, friends from the fabu- lous theatre group. I’ve never had so much fun in my life than I’ve had with you. Everyone should have the chance to free one’s mind in a way it always was freed with you!

Most of all, I want to thank Juhana, my love, for sharing his life with me. Thank you for encouraging me all the way and for sharing with me all those thoughts about science and an academic career. Above it all, everything would be meaningless with- out you.

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