Nicole Aberle-Malzahn

About

Current teaching and research fields

I am a biological oceanographer with strong interests in plankton ecology. My focuses are on phytoplankton-microzooplankton interactions and the role of heterotrophic protists in modulating and controlling phytoplankton blooms. Further, the transfer of matter and energy from one trophic level to the next and the role of micro-/protozooplankton (e.g. ciliates and heterotrophic dinoflagellates) as a trophic intermediary between microbial and traditional food webs are of major interest. In this context, I focus mainly on the top-down control of microzooplankton by consumers such as mesozooplankton and ichthyoplankton.

Further, predator-prey interactions in the plankton in relation to changes in abiotic conditions (e.g. temperature, light, nutrients) are major topics during my past and present research. Core questions of my current work is how climate change (global warming and ocean acidification) affects plankton diversity and marine food webs. While my main emphasis was originally on temperate marine ecosystems, the responses of plankton communities to future ocean conditions at low and high latitude regions are important aspects of my past and present research activities.

Approaches addressed range from field surveys to experimental marine ecology. To simulate future ocean conditions, small-scale laboratory experiments or large-scale indoor or outdoor mesocosms are set-up. The aim is to create near-natural conditions by using e.g. natural plankton communities and applying different stressors to the system (e.g. changes in temperature, pH, salinity, light or nutrients).

My main teaching activities at the Department of Biology at NTNU, take place within the Master program ‘Ocean Resources' (MSOCEAN) where I act as course responsible for BI3061/BI8061 ‘Biological Oceanography’. Further, I am involved in the BSc courses 'Marine Ecology' (BI2060) and 'Marine Biodiversity' (BI2036) at Department of Biology and the MSc courses 'Experimental Marine Methods' and 'Freshwater Ecology' (BI3037) at Department of Biology and 'Sustainable Use of Marine Resources' (TMR 4137) at Department of Marine Technology.

Past research activities

I studied biology with an emphasis on biological oceanography at Kiel University from 1994 to 2000. During my diploma thesis at the Max-Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology (Bremen, Germany), I focused on the responses of deep-sea benthic communities to a phytodetritus pulse using stable isotope techniques. Thereafter, I started a PhD project at the Max-Planck Institute for Limnology (Ploen, Germany) and the Alfred-Wegener-Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) focusing on a comparison between microphytobenthic communities in marine and freshwater systems and on the role of benthic microalgae as food for consumers. After the completion of my PhD in 2004, I started a Postdoc position at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research in Kiel, Germany (2004-2006). During that time, I started to focus on planktonic systems with an emphasis on lower food-web dynamics and the impact of changes in abiotic conditions (e.g. temperature, nutrients). From 2006-2015 I worked as a research associate at the Biologische Anstalt Helgoland (BAH), Alfred-Wegener-Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) where I focused mainly on food-web interactions in the plankton and especially the role of microzooplankton as a trophic intermediary between primary producers and consumers. Further, alterations in the planktonic food web resulting from changes in environmental conditions (e.g. global warming, ocean acidification) were of relevance during my past and present research.

Thomson Reuters ResearcherID: C-7366-2014

Research Gate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nicole_Aberle

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3254-5710

Associate Editor of the journal 'Marine Biology' (Springer)

Publications

2023

Solberg, Ingrid; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Espeland, Sigurd Heiberg; Østensen, Mari-Ann; Bakken, Torkild; Karlsson, Sten. (2023) Fisk.
Chapter

2022

Johnsen, Geir; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Fragoso, Glaucia; Thu, Maren. (2022) Phytoplankton Spring Bloom Mapping in Coastal Areas Using Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and Optical Approaches. NTNU
Masters thesis
Ellefmo, Steinar Løve; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Hagspiel, Verena; Ingulstad, Mats; Aasly, Kurt. (2022) Marine minerals' role in future holistic mineral resource management. Geological Society Special Publication
Academic article
Edelist, Dor; Knutsen, Øyvind; Ellingsen, Ingrid H.; Majaneva, Sanna; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Dror, Hila. (2022) Tracking jellyfish swarm origins using a combined oceanographic-genetic-citizen science approach. Frontiers in Marine Science
Academic article
Fragoso, Glaucia Moreira; Davies, Emlyn John; Fossum, Trygve Olav; Ullgren, Jenny; Majaneva, Sanna; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2022) Contrasting phytoplankton-zooplankton distributions observed through autonomous platforms, in-situ optical sensors and discrete sampling. PLOS ONE
Academic article
Bils, Franziska; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Van Damme, Cindy J.G.; Peck, Myron A.; Moyano, Marta. (2022) Role of protozooplankton in the diet of North Sea autumn spawning herring (Clupea harengus) larvae. Marine Biology
Academic article

2021

Edelist, Dori; Angel, Dror L.; Canning-clode, João; Gueroun, Sonia K. M.; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Javidpour, Jamileh. (2021) Jellyfishing in Europe: Current status, knowledge gaps, and future directions towards a sustainable practice. Sustainability
Academic literature review
Bazilchuk, Nancy Reney; Stahl, Annette; Johnsen, Geir; Saad, Aya; Thu, Maren; Nøland, Annecken. (2021) Gemini.no
Popular scientific article
Rekstad, Mathias; Sanna, Majaneva; Borgersen, Åshild Løvås; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2021) Occurrence and Habitat Characteristics of Aurelia sp. Polyps in a High-Latitude Fjord. Frontiers in Marine Science
Academic article
Aditya, Wihen; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2021) Identification and population genetic analysis of jellyfish blooms in Trondheimsfjord. NTNU
Masters thesis
Spisla, Carsten; Taucher, Jan; Bach, Lennart T; Haunost, Mathias; Boxhammer, Tim; King, Andrew L. (2021) Extreme Levels of Ocean Acidification Restructure the Plankton Community and Biogeochemistry of a Temperate Coastal Ecosystem: A Mesocosm Study . Frontiers in Marine Science
Academic article
Johansen, Ellie; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Østensen, Mari-Ann; Majaneva, Sanna. (2021) Assessing the Value of a Citizen Science Approach for Ctenophore Identification. Frontiers in Marine Science
Academic article

2020

Saad, Aya; Stahl, Annette; Våge, Andreas; Davies, Emlyn John; Nordam, Tor; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2020) Advancing Ocean Observation with an AI-driven Mobile Robotic Explorer. Oceanography
Academic article
Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2020) Det marine livet i Trondheimsfjorden. Et hav av muligheter
Other presentation
Martini, Séverine; Larras, Floriane; Boyé, Aurélien; Faure, Emile; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Archambault, Philippe. (2020) Functional trait‐based approaches as a common framework for aquatic ecologists. Limnology and Oceanography
Academic article
Bazilchuk, Nancy; Ardelan, Murat Van; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2020) Gemini.no
Interview Journal
Ingvaldsen, Randi Brunvær; Bluhm, Bodil; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Amundsen, Rita; Ardelan, Murat Van; Bagøien, Espen. (2020) Joint Cruise 1-2 2018: Cruise Report . Septentrio Academic Publishing
Report
Løkken Myrvold, Stian; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2020) Effect of temperature on the settling rate, survival, ingestion rate and biochemical composition of the polyp stages of A. aurita. NTNU
Masters thesis
Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2020) Klimasvar i Nansens fotspor? 125 år etter Nansens ferd over Polhavet er nå den største Arktiske ekspedisjonen MOSAiC i gang. Expedisjonen har fokus på den rolle som Arktis spiller for globalt klima og oppvarming. . NTNU Kveld
Other presentation
Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Barakat, Peter. (2020) Life history dynamics of the scyphozoan jellyfish Aurelia spp.: A combined meta-analysis and modelling approach. NTNU
Masters thesis
Doerner, Isabel; Hauss, Helena; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Lohbeck, Kai; Spisla, Carsten; Riebesell, Ulf. (2020) Ocean acidification impacts on biomass and fatty acid composition of a post-bloom marine plankton community. Marine Ecology Progress Series
Academic article
Horn, Henriette G.; Boersma, Maarten; Garzke, Jessica; Sommer, Ulrich; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2020) High CO2 and warming affect microzooplankton food web dynamics in a Baltic Sea summer plankton community. Marine Biology
Academic article

2019

Wallin, Jan-Konrad; Bading, Katharina; Østensen, Mari-Ann; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Majaneva, Sanna; Ekrem, Torbjørn. (2019) Community dynamics and barcoding of protozooplankton in the Trondheim Fjord, Norway. Genome
Abstract
Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Piontkovski, SA. (2019) Seasonal dynamics of microzooplankton communities in the Sea of Oman (Arabian Sea). Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management
Academic article
Sjøholtstrand, Marianne; Haugen, Randi Wenche; Bakken, Torkild; Vaagland, Henriette; Falnes, Sten Terje; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2019) Forskningsdagene - Åpen båt & tokt på fjorden med forskningsfartøyet F/F Gunnerus
Other presentation
Ellie, Johansen; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2019) Ctenophore diversity along the Norwegian coast and Svalbard region. NTNU
Masters thesis
Alguero-Muniz, Maria; Horn, Henriette G.; Alvarez-Fernandez, Santiago; Spisla, Carsten; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Bach, Lennart T.. (2019) Analyzing the Impacts of Elevated-CO2 Levels on the Development of a Subtropical Zooplankton Community During Oligotrophic Conditions and Simulated Upwelling. Frontiers in Marine Science
Academic article
Matias, Rekstad; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2019) Distribution, interspecific variation and habitats of scyphozoan polyp colonies in Trondheimsfjorden. NTNU
Masters thesis
Jan Konrad, Wallin; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2019) Assessment of key microzooplankton species from Trondheimsfjorden using morphological and molecular methods. NTNU
Masters thesis

2018

Katherina L., Schoo; Maarten, Boersma; Malzahn, Arne; Martin G.J., Loeder; Karen H., Wiltshire; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2018) Dietary and seasonal variability in trophic relations at the base of the North Sea pelagic food web revealed by stable isotope and fatty acid analysis. Journal of Sea Research
Academic article
Rios Yunes, Dunia; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2018) The impact of high CO2 and low pH on the organic carbon characterization. Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Masters thesis
Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Johannesen, Unn Vagnsdóttir. (2018) Effects on the survival and development of Acartia tonsa fed different Rhodomonas species cultivated on different nitrogen concentrations. Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Masters thesis
Santiago, Alvarez-Fernandez; Lennart T., Bach; Jan, Taucher; Ulf, Riebesell; Ulrich, Sommer; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2018) Plankton responses to ocean acidification: The role of nutrient limitation. Progress in Oceanography
Academic article
Bils, Franziska; Moyano, Marta; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; van Damme, Cindy JG; Nash, Richard David Marriott; Kloppmann, Matthias. (2018) Broad-scale distribution of the winter protozooplankton community in the North Sea. Journal of Sea Research
Academic article
Riebesell, Ulf; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Achterberg, Eric P.; Algueró-Muniz, Marina; Alvarez-Fernandez, Santiago; Arístegui, Javier. (2018) Toxic algal bloom induced by ocean acidification disrupts the pelagic food web. Nature Climate Change
Academic article

2017

Bils, Franziska; Moyano, Marta; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Hufnagl, Marc; Alvarez-Fernandez, Santiago; Peck, Myron A.. (2017) Exploring the microzooplankton–ichthyoplankton link: a combined field and modeling study of Atlantic herring(Clupea harengus)in the Irish Sea. Journal of Plankton Research
Academic article

2016

Horn, Henriette G.; Boersma, Maarten; Garzke, Jessica; Loder, Martin G.J.; Sommer, Ulrich; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2016) Effects of high CO2 and warming on a Baltic Sea microzooplankton community. ICES Journal of Marine Science
Academic article
Horn, Henriette G.; Sander, Nils; Stuhr, Annegret; Algueró-Muñiz, Maria; Bach, Lennart T.; Löder, Martin G.J.. (2016) Low CO2 sensitivity of microzooplankton communities in the Gullmar Fjord, Skagerrak: Evidence from a long-term mesocosm study. PLOS ONE
Academic article

Journal publications

Ellefmo, Steinar Løve; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Hagspiel, Verena; Ingulstad, Mats; Aasly, Kurt. (2022) Marine minerals' role in future holistic mineral resource management. Geological Society Special Publication
Academic article
Edelist, Dor; Knutsen, Øyvind; Ellingsen, Ingrid H.; Majaneva, Sanna; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Dror, Hila. (2022) Tracking jellyfish swarm origins using a combined oceanographic-genetic-citizen science approach. Frontiers in Marine Science
Academic article
Fragoso, Glaucia Moreira; Davies, Emlyn John; Fossum, Trygve Olav; Ullgren, Jenny; Majaneva, Sanna; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2022) Contrasting phytoplankton-zooplankton distributions observed through autonomous platforms, in-situ optical sensors and discrete sampling. PLOS ONE
Academic article
Bils, Franziska; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Van Damme, Cindy J.G.; Peck, Myron A.; Moyano, Marta. (2022) Role of protozooplankton in the diet of North Sea autumn spawning herring (Clupea harengus) larvae. Marine Biology
Academic article
Edelist, Dori; Angel, Dror L.; Canning-clode, João; Gueroun, Sonia K. M.; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Javidpour, Jamileh. (2021) Jellyfishing in Europe: Current status, knowledge gaps, and future directions towards a sustainable practice. Sustainability
Academic literature review
Bazilchuk, Nancy Reney; Stahl, Annette; Johnsen, Geir; Saad, Aya; Thu, Maren; Nøland, Annecken. (2021) Gemini.no
Popular scientific article
Rekstad, Mathias; Sanna, Majaneva; Borgersen, Åshild Løvås; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2021) Occurrence and Habitat Characteristics of Aurelia sp. Polyps in a High-Latitude Fjord. Frontiers in Marine Science
Academic article
Spisla, Carsten; Taucher, Jan; Bach, Lennart T; Haunost, Mathias; Boxhammer, Tim; King, Andrew L. (2021) Extreme Levels of Ocean Acidification Restructure the Plankton Community and Biogeochemistry of a Temperate Coastal Ecosystem: A Mesocosm Study . Frontiers in Marine Science
Academic article
Johansen, Ellie; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Østensen, Mari-Ann; Majaneva, Sanna. (2021) Assessing the Value of a Citizen Science Approach for Ctenophore Identification. Frontiers in Marine Science
Academic article
Saad, Aya; Stahl, Annette; Våge, Andreas; Davies, Emlyn John; Nordam, Tor; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2020) Advancing Ocean Observation with an AI-driven Mobile Robotic Explorer. Oceanography
Academic article
Martini, Séverine; Larras, Floriane; Boyé, Aurélien; Faure, Emile; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Archambault, Philippe. (2020) Functional trait‐based approaches as a common framework for aquatic ecologists. Limnology and Oceanography
Academic article
Bazilchuk, Nancy; Ardelan, Murat Van; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2020) Gemini.no
Interview Journal
Doerner, Isabel; Hauss, Helena; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Lohbeck, Kai; Spisla, Carsten; Riebesell, Ulf. (2020) Ocean acidification impacts on biomass and fatty acid composition of a post-bloom marine plankton community. Marine Ecology Progress Series
Academic article
Horn, Henriette G.; Boersma, Maarten; Garzke, Jessica; Sommer, Ulrich; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2020) High CO2 and warming affect microzooplankton food web dynamics in a Baltic Sea summer plankton community. Marine Biology
Academic article
Wallin, Jan-Konrad; Bading, Katharina; Østensen, Mari-Ann; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Majaneva, Sanna; Ekrem, Torbjørn. (2019) Community dynamics and barcoding of protozooplankton in the Trondheim Fjord, Norway. Genome
Abstract
Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Piontkovski, SA. (2019) Seasonal dynamics of microzooplankton communities in the Sea of Oman (Arabian Sea). Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management
Academic article
Alguero-Muniz, Maria; Horn, Henriette G.; Alvarez-Fernandez, Santiago; Spisla, Carsten; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Bach, Lennart T.. (2019) Analyzing the Impacts of Elevated-CO2 Levels on the Development of a Subtropical Zooplankton Community During Oligotrophic Conditions and Simulated Upwelling. Frontiers in Marine Science
Academic article
Katherina L., Schoo; Maarten, Boersma; Malzahn, Arne; Martin G.J., Loeder; Karen H., Wiltshire; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2018) Dietary and seasonal variability in trophic relations at the base of the North Sea pelagic food web revealed by stable isotope and fatty acid analysis. Journal of Sea Research
Academic article
Santiago, Alvarez-Fernandez; Lennart T., Bach; Jan, Taucher; Ulf, Riebesell; Ulrich, Sommer; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2018) Plankton responses to ocean acidification: The role of nutrient limitation. Progress in Oceanography
Academic article
Bils, Franziska; Moyano, Marta; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; van Damme, Cindy JG; Nash, Richard David Marriott; Kloppmann, Matthias. (2018) Broad-scale distribution of the winter protozooplankton community in the North Sea. Journal of Sea Research
Academic article
Riebesell, Ulf; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Achterberg, Eric P.; Algueró-Muniz, Marina; Alvarez-Fernandez, Santiago; Arístegui, Javier. (2018) Toxic algal bloom induced by ocean acidification disrupts the pelagic food web. Nature Climate Change
Academic article
Bils, Franziska; Moyano, Marta; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Hufnagl, Marc; Alvarez-Fernandez, Santiago; Peck, Myron A.. (2017) Exploring the microzooplankton–ichthyoplankton link: a combined field and modeling study of Atlantic herring(Clupea harengus)in the Irish Sea. Journal of Plankton Research
Academic article
Horn, Henriette G.; Boersma, Maarten; Garzke, Jessica; Loder, Martin G.J.; Sommer, Ulrich; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2016) Effects of high CO2 and warming on a Baltic Sea microzooplankton community. ICES Journal of Marine Science
Academic article
Horn, Henriette G.; Sander, Nils; Stuhr, Annegret; Algueró-Muñiz, Maria; Bach, Lennart T.; Löder, Martin G.J.. (2016) Low CO2 sensitivity of microzooplankton communities in the Gullmar Fjord, Skagerrak: Evidence from a long-term mesocosm study. PLOS ONE
Academic article

Part of book/report

Solberg, Ingrid; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Espeland, Sigurd Heiberg; Østensen, Mari-Ann; Bakken, Torkild; Karlsson, Sten. (2023) Fisk.
Chapter

Report

Johnsen, Geir; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Fragoso, Glaucia; Thu, Maren. (2022) Phytoplankton Spring Bloom Mapping in Coastal Areas Using Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and Optical Approaches. NTNU
Masters thesis
Aditya, Wihen; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2021) Identification and population genetic analysis of jellyfish blooms in Trondheimsfjord. NTNU
Masters thesis
Ingvaldsen, Randi Brunvær; Bluhm, Bodil; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Amundsen, Rita; Ardelan, Murat Van; Bagøien, Espen. (2020) Joint Cruise 1-2 2018: Cruise Report . Septentrio Academic Publishing
Report
Løkken Myrvold, Stian; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2020) Effect of temperature on the settling rate, survival, ingestion rate and biochemical composition of the polyp stages of A. aurita. NTNU
Masters thesis
Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Barakat, Peter. (2020) Life history dynamics of the scyphozoan jellyfish Aurelia spp.: A combined meta-analysis and modelling approach. NTNU
Masters thesis
Ellie, Johansen; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2019) Ctenophore diversity along the Norwegian coast and Svalbard region. NTNU
Masters thesis
Matias, Rekstad; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2019) Distribution, interspecific variation and habitats of scyphozoan polyp colonies in Trondheimsfjorden. NTNU
Masters thesis
Jan Konrad, Wallin; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2019) Assessment of key microzooplankton species from Trondheimsfjorden using morphological and molecular methods. NTNU
Masters thesis
Rios Yunes, Dunia; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2018) The impact of high CO2 and low pH on the organic carbon characterization. Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Masters thesis
Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole; Johannesen, Unn Vagnsdóttir. (2018) Effects on the survival and development of Acartia tonsa fed different Rhodomonas species cultivated on different nitrogen concentrations. Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Masters thesis

UTSTILLING

Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2020) Det marine livet i Trondheimsfjorden. Et hav av muligheter
Other presentation
Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2020) Klimasvar i Nansens fotspor? 125 år etter Nansens ferd over Polhavet er nå den største Arktiske ekspedisjonen MOSAiC i gang. Expedisjonen har fokus på den rolle som Arktis spiller for globalt klima og oppvarming. . NTNU Kveld
Other presentation
Sjøholtstrand, Marianne; Haugen, Randi Wenche; Bakken, Torkild; Vaagland, Henriette; Falnes, Sten Terje; Aberle-Malzahn, Nicole. (2019) Forskningsdagene - Åpen båt & tokt på fjorden med forskningsfartøyet F/F Gunnerus
Other presentation

Teaching

Courses

Media