Abstract
We briefly introduce the optical plankton counters (OPCs) currently in use and summarize major themes and conclusions of papers from this special section. These collected papers demonstrate that the OPC and the new laser OPC (LOPC) are useful tools for mapping fine‐scale distributions of zooplankton over broad expanses of space and for examining patterns in the size structure of zooplankton communities, which give insights into the top‐down and bottom‐up forces affecting them. The LOPC or OPC are particularly valuable sensors when used in conjunction with an array of other sensors on a tow body so that investigators can synoptically measure physical and biotic variables. Caution must be exercised in using the OPC or LOPC because there are times when nonzooplankton particles comprise a significant portion of the particles counted. The contribution of nonzooplankton particles to the total seston varies with system and conditions.
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