Research

BACOSA is a joint project between the universities of Rostock, Greifswald, and Kiel. The aim is to investigate and quantify the material flows in macrophyte-covered shallow water ecosystems. Field studies are taking place at different locations along the German east coast. The main focus is on the complex interactions between vegetation, sediment, nutrients, phytoplankton and zooplankton as well as wind and wave induced water movements in gradients from the reed belt to stocks with submerged vegetation to the open water. The data obtained are used to get more detailed insights into the functioning of shallow water ecosystems.

Among 5 subprojects, project 2 is located at the Biological Station Hiddensee of the University of Greifswald. The study investigates interactions between submerged macrophytes and various abiotic and biotic parameters in water and sediment. In 2013 the investigations were carried out at two locations in the lagoon Vitter Bodden, located east of Hiddensee, supported by four diploma students. At both sites, areas with dense or sparse vegetation were marked. In the course of the year, macrophytes, nutrient concentrations, phytoplankton and zooplankton levels as well as the content of suspended material in the water column were quantified. The sediment was characterized, and the light attanuation by the water was measured. Wind data supplemented the measurements. In addition, methodological experiments were carried out on the one hand to measure water movements near the sediment (mainly turbulence) with a 3D flow probe, and on the other hand to determine sedimentation rates by means of various sediment traps. This study program was carried out at other locations along the German east coast along with the other subprojects.
In 2014, two locations in the chain like lagoon Darß-Zingster Bodden will be examined together with all other subprojects in the course of the year. The data will be included in an assessment of ecosystem services of the Darß-Zingster Bodden.