Future Trend Lines in Ecological Meiobenthos Research

Abstract

In a world where human activities increasingly constrict, fragment and destroy natural habitats and threaten its animate nature, the study ofecosystem stability and resilience is becoming a dominant research discipline. Patterns of distribution, species inter- actions and modes of recolonization are underlying keys for our understanding of the dynamics in most environmental processes. The functioning of ecosystems, the complicated and ever-changing network of mutual organismic relations and the eco- logical quality status will be in the focus. In the benthic realm, ecological research on meiofauna can attain a determining position by far exceeding its earlier role. Today’s theoretical, statistical and technical instruments allow for more effective sampling, and computer-based logistics render an easier evaluation ofmeiofauna, which grant an increased predictive potential (see below). In this framework, custom-made and cost-effective molecular techniques play a central role. Combined with powerful microscopical analyses and digital calculations, the methodological progress alleviates the complex interpretation of data and relations (Fonseca et al. 2010, see Sect. 1 in Chap. 6). This basis provides studies on meiobenthos a potential not envisaged in earlier times. Just because of their low motility and frequently rapid reactivity, these minute organisms, directly exposed to changes in their benthic environment, are prime bio-indicators. Thus, combined with corresponding data on abiotic parameters, microorganisms and macrobenthos, meiobenthic species can attain a ‘hub’ position. Due to their abundance and diversity, they ‘can provide great benefit for metacom- munity analysis’ (Dümmer et al. 2016). No wonder that meiofauna work today mostly does not study and interpret single ecological relationships among isolated species in a locally restricted area. Instead, many relevant studies try to understand general patterns and processes, to identify ecosystem key functions and specify their regional correlates. Connected with neigh- bouring disciplines (cooperation with microbiology, mathematics) and based on a complex theoretical framework, interdisciplinary studies on meiofauna will increas- ingly address urgent problems of general relevance both for science and for common welfare: a. Aspects of biodiversity as a basis for evaluating ‘ecological quality’ b. Principles of faunal distribution, dispersal and resilience c. Organismic interactions—meiofauna between microbiota and macrofauna. Ofcourse, the long-term objectives underlying these topics are challenging: under- standing the ‘functioning of (meiobenthic) ecosystems’. As yet, this often-cited goal is in most cases too complex to be reached. Perhaps it even betrays an unrealistic, mechanical view on living organisms? But it may stand as a euphemistic ambition directing our future efforts.