Population biology and ecology of the sole

Abstract

The sole (Solea solea) is a typical temperate marine flatfish. Population numbers have been significantly reduced, by fishing, before biological sampling was routinely established. There is thus an inadequate description of the demographic processes with changing population density. Nevertheless, it is possible to see some changes in weight, maturity and fecundity of adult sole, although these may well be driven by environmental factors. Sole aggregate in shallow-water nursery grounds, where there is probably density-dependent mortality, and a hypothesis that the size of nursery grounds controls average population size is examined. It is argued, however, that the important homeostatic process occurs in the plankton. The dynamics of the sole can then only be understood in the context of the plankton ecology. © 2001 Rocky Mountain Mathematics Consortium.