Structural (taxonomic) and functional (life-trait) diversity of plankton communities will be determined at seasonal and shelf wide scales. This WP will also provide plankton abundance and biomass values, and also samples for stable isotope and FA analysis in WP3. WP1 will contribute to specific objectives O1.1, O2.1, and O2.2.

T1.1. Seasonal variability of plankton biomass and diversity
T1.2 Shelf wide variability of plankton biomass and diversity

Abundance, biomass and diversity of fish communities will be determined at pelagic, demersal, and coastal habitats sampled during PELACUS, DEMERSALES, and BIGA surveys, respectively. Specific data gathered for MTL-FISH will be the abundance and biomass of all species (including fish but also crustaceans and mollusks). This WP will also provide abundance and biomass data and samples for stable isotope and FA analyses in WP3. WP2 will contribute to specific objectives O1.1, O1.2, O2.1, and O2.2.

T2.1 Shelf wide variability of pelagic fish biomass and diversity
T2.2 Shelf wide variability of demersal fish biomass and diversity
T2.3. Seasonal variability of fish biomass and diversity

Plankton and fish samples collected in WP1 and WP2 will be analyzed to determine several trophic indicators from their stable isotope and FA composition. WP3 will contribute to specific objectives O1.1, O1.2, O2.1, O2.2, and O3.1.

T3.1. Biomass size-spectra
T3.2. Stable isotope analyses of C and N in plankton and fish
T3.3. FA profiles in plankton and fish

This WP will draw on all the data and results provided by WP1, WP2, and WP3 to determine seasonal and spatial patterns in the microbial contribution to TP, as well as their relationships with diversity, community structure and environmental variability. WP4 will address specific objectives O3.1 and O3.2.

T4.1. Collation and assemblage of environmental data
T4.2. Statistical analysis

This WP will ensure proper coordination of sampling and collection of environmental information from the different cruises, analytical techniques, and the communication of results at scientific and general public audiences

T5.1. Project coordination
T5.2. Cruise – sampling coordination
T5.3. Coordination of analyses
T5.4. Result dissemination