Diversity and community dynamics of planktonic nano- and pico eukaryotes in changing seas

The main objective of this PhD-project is to reveal the diversity and seasonal distribution of small planktonic eukaryotes (pico- and nanoplankton) from the Norwegian coastal waters, in particular by the use of new molecular methods such as 454-sequencing, and clarify how the species composition, diversity and abundance are affected by environmental factors, including pathogens (viruses in particular) and small predators. This will provide new knowledge on the dynamics and structure in the marine plankton as well as the driving forces for change.