Living in a predation matrix : Studies on fish and their prey in a Baltic Sea coastal area

Sammanfattning: This thesis was written within the framework of a biomanipulation project where young-of-the-year (YOY) pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) were stocked to a Baltic Sea bay to improve water quality through a top-down trophic cascade. The aim of my doctorial studies was however focused on a broader ecological question, namely predation (the main driving force in a biomanipulation). Hence, this thesis consists of four papers where we study the interactions between predator and prey using fish and zooplankton and how these interactions can be measured. In paper I we evaluated the performance of different diet analysis methods by individual based modelling and found that when having a nutritional gain perspective, mass based methods described diets best. Paper II investigated how the explorative, foraging and anti-predator behaviour of the YOY pikeperch used for stocking were affected by their rearing environment (pond vs. tank rearing). The more complex and varied environment in the semi-natural ponds seemed to promote a more flexible and active behaviour, better equipping young fish for survival in the wild. For paper III we studied the diel vertical migration in the six copepodite stages of the zooplankton Acartia spp. and Eurytemora affinis in relation to fish biomass, phytoplankton abundance and temperature. Both species migrated and in addition showed increased migration range with size within species, indicating evasion from visual predators. Paper IV addressed the movement of littoral Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) via stable isotope signatures (13C and 15N) and body condition. We found clear indications of sedentarity and intra-habitat dietary differences. Interactions between predators and prey are complex and affected by both physiological and environmental characteristics as well as behavioural traits. The results in this thesis suggest that different species and even different life stages pursue different strategies to survive.