Carl Johan Svensson, post-doc Marine Ecology

Ecological modelling

Research: My research involves the construction and simulation of mathematical models describing the dynamics of single species or trophic interactions. I am interested in the differences in dynamics between functional groups and how these affect interactions in simpler ecosystems. I am currently part of a project where we look at the relative importance of top-down(consumption) and bottom-up(resource availability) factors for the prevalence of algal blooms in seagrass beds on the Swedish west and east coast, linked to documented overfishing and eutrophication in these areas. An important aspect of this project is to develop system specific models that simulate seasonal patterns of match-mismatch between functional groups.

I am also engaged in the modelling and analysis of life history evolution, using matrix model theory as my main tool. Here I model trade-offs between traits, eg growth vs chemical defence in algae, and effects of stochastic events. This are interesting and highly relevant queries for many marine intertidal algal and invertebrate species as they exist in highly variable environments that are exposed to anthropogenic threats.

Teaching: Currently I am not teaching but during my PhD I taught at different undergraduate courses, both as a lecturer and course assistant. I really enjoy teaching especially in population- and system ecology.

Contact
Email: carl-johan.svensson@bioenv.gu.se
Tel: 031-786 2627
Visiting address: Institutionen för biologi och miljövetenskap, Carl Skottsbergs gata 22B, Göteborg

Recent Papers Presented at Scientific Meetings and Conferences

Svensson CJ, paul NA, de Nys R, Steinberg P. Ontogeny explains ambigous evidence for costs for seaweed allocation to chemicl defence. The British Ecological Society

Recent Articles in Professional Journals

Sundelöf A, Jenkins SR, Svensson CJ, Delaney J, Hawkins SJ, Åberg P (2010) Determinants of reproductive potential and population size in open populations of Patella vulgata. Marine Biology 157: 779-789

Svensson CJ, Lavery P, Hyndes G (2010) An efficient method for collecting large samples of live copepods free from detritus. Marine and Freshwater Biology 61: 621-624

Åberg P, Svensson CJ, Caswell H, Pavia H (2009) Environment-specific elasticity and sensitivity analysis of the stochastic growth rate. Ecological modelling 220: 605-610

Svensson CJ, Pavia H, Åberg P (2009) Robusteness in life history of the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) across large scales: effects of temporal and spatial variability on population growth. Marine Biology 156: 1139-1148

Svensson CJ, Toth G, Pavia H (2007) Do plant density, nutrient availability, and the herbivore grazing interact to affect phlorotannin plasticity in the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum. Marine Biology 151: 2177-2181.

Svensson CJ, Lavery SP, Hyndes G (2007) Food web analysis in two permanently open temperate estuaries: consequqnces of saltmarsh loss? Marine Environmental Research 64: 286-304.

Svensson CJ, Johansson E, Åberg P (2006) Competing species in a changing climate: effects of recruitment disturbances on two interacting barnacle species. Journal of Animal ecology 75: 765-776.

Svensson CJ, Jenkins SR, Hawkins SJ,  Åberg P (2005) Population resistance to climate change: Modelling the effects of low recruitment in open populatons. Oecologia 142: 117-126.

Svensson CJ, Jenkins SR, Hawkins SJ, Myers AA, Range P, Paula J, O’Riordan RM, Åberg P (2004) Models of open populations with space-limited recruitment in stochastic environments: the relative importance of recruitment and survival in populations of Semibalanus balanoides. Marine Ecology Progress Series 275: 185-197.

Reports

Extinction risk of Baltic grey and ringed seals enhanced by global warming. Naturvårdsverket 2010 (Dnr: 08-257).

Hunting in seal populations: effects of environmental variability, density dependence and structure. Naturvårdsverket 2009 (Dnr: 802-0149-07)