Physiological and nutritional factors that influence the population dynamics of North Sea copepods were identified. Five digestive enzymes were measured in individual copepods. Short-term starvation elicited complex enzyme reactions. Protease isozyme patterns did not change. Seston C:N and POP:TPP correlated with reproductive success. Grazing behaviour and digestive system mediated the effect. Copepods took up N:P in ratios matching their body ratios. C:N and POP ingestion followed the seston pattern. Compensatory feeding was observed. Food quality and stable isotope signatures changed over time (Helgoland, 2004-2005) and between GLOBEC-stations (southern North Sea). Seston d15N and d13C revealed major composition shifts in spring and a strong heterotroph component in summer. A. clausi and T. longicornis utilised different carbon sources despite similar high trophic levels. A low seston d13C (spring) was favourable. Chitobiase activity indicated C assimilation, the other enzymes N assimilation. A low body d13C may denote high turnover rates. Combining methods explains zooplankton- phytoplankton interactions better than only one approach
