Effects of future climate conditions on the zooplankton of a Mediterranean coastal lagoon

Abstract

Coastal lagoons are important ecosystems that contribute to the production of seafood worldwide. The impact of climate change on these vulnerable ecosystems can be evaluated by studying the zooplankton community due to its sensitivity to changes in environmental conditions. In this study, the authors investigated the effect of future climate conditions on the zooplankton community of a Mediterranean coastal lagoon (Antinioti lagoon, Greece), by incorporating field measurements and projected future temperatures in a multivariate autoregressive (MAR) stochastic model. The findings indicated a strong relationship between future water temperatures in Antinioti lagoon and the abundance of specific zooplankton groups. Furthermore, the productivity of Antinioti lagoon will be positively influenced by global warming, and the future zooplankton community’s structure will be subjected to competitive interactions among Copepods, Others, and Mysidacea.