Research
The research groups - Oceans
University of Liège
Laboratory of Oceanology and Aquapôle
Promotor: Dr. Jean-Henri Hecq and Dr. Anne Goffart
Presentation
In a world experiencing changes in global climate, the Laboratory of Oceanology (Plankton Research Unit, team leader: Dr. Jean-Henri Hecq) and the Aquapôle (team leader: Dr. Anne Goffart) study the processes governing the distribution and the organization of planktonic communities in marine ecosystems in relation with the physical structure of water masses. Research aims to improve information on the spatial distribution of key-species and their relationships to habitats, which is crucial for the effective protection of marine environment and biodiversity and the management of activities that impact natural resources.
Activities
Research / integrated management of coastal waters / teaching
Main field of activity in polar regions
Focusing on the Southern Ocean and the Mediterranean
Sea, our current research concerns:
1. the control of pelagic diversity and fish recruitment by environmental
factors,
2. the impact of climate change on coastal ecosystems.
List of Antarctic projects (1993 – 2005)
- Antarctica phase V
PELAGANT: Status, control and role of the pelagic diversity of the Austral Ocean - Antarctica phase IV
Response of the Southern Ocean global ecosystem to physical and trophic constraints - Antarctica phase III
Control of the Antarctic pelagic ecosystem by higher trophic levels in relation to variations in environmental conditions
Research Group Team
- Leaders: Dr. Jean-Henri Hecq and Dr. Anne Goffart
- PhD researcher: Cristina Beans
- Involved research groups: Filip Volckaert, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KULeuven), Laboratorium voor Aquatische Ecologie
- Involved partners:
- Philippe Koubbi,
Université du Littoral – Côte d’Opale
Laboratoire d’Ichtyo-écologie marine, Boulogne-sur-mer, France - Kerrie Swadling, University of Tasmania, Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute and School of Zoology
- Philippe Koubbi,
Université du Littoral – Côte d’Opale
Publication list
Maes J., Van de Putte A., Hecq J.H. and Volckaert F.A.M. (2006) State dependent energy allocation in the pelagic Antarctic silverfish Pleuragramma antarticum: trade-off between winter reserves and buoyancy. Marine Ecology - Progress Series, 326: 269-282
Frangoulis C., Christou E.D. and Hecq J.H. (2005) Comparison of marine copepod outfluxes: nature, rate, fate and role in the carbon and nitrogen cycles Advances in Marine Biology, 47: 253-309
Hecq J.H. (2003) Modélisation conceptuelle et numérique de l'écosystème planctonique océanique. Bull. Soc. Roy. Sci. Liège, 72 : 93-302
Wilmotte A., Demonceau C., Goffart A., Hecq J.H., Demoulin V. and Crossley A.C. (2002) Molecular and pigment studies of the picophytoplankton in a region of the Southern Ocean (47 to 54° S, 141 to 144 °E) in March 1998. Deep-Sea Research II, 49: 3351-3363
Goeyens L., Elskens M., Catalano G., Lipizer M., Hecq J.H. and Goffart A. (2000) Nutrient depletions in the Ross Sea and their relation with pigment stocks. Journal of Marine Systems, 27: 195-208
Goffart A., Catalano G. and Hecq J.H. (2000) Factors controlling the distribution of diatoms and Phaeocystis in the Ross Sea. Journal of Marine Systems, 27: 161-175
Complementary resources about this research group:
- Anne Goffart: www.aquapole.ulg.ac.be
- Jean-Henri Hecq: www.ulg.ac.be/oceanbio