Zooplankton Volume Research Articles

Vertical changes in zooplankton abundance, biomass, and community structure at seven stations down to 3000 m in neighboring waters of Japan during the summer: Insights from ZooScan imaging analysis

The imaging device ZooScan is used to examine net-collected zooplankton samples. ZooScan has been applied to regional and seasonal changes in the zooplankton community, but it has rarely been used to characterize vertical changes, especially down to the deep sea. In this study, we report a ZooScan analysis of vertically stratified zooplankton samples collected by collected by Vertical Multiple Plankton Sampler down to 3000 m at seven stations near Japan in the Okhotsk Sea, Japan Sea, East China Sea, and subarctic, transitional, and subtropical North Pacific. Throughout the region, both abundance and biomass, as indicated by aggregate zooplankton volume decreased with increasing depths. ANCOVA analysis revealed that factors linked to vertical changes varied with location. Depth and region were the primary determinants of abundance and biomass, respectively. Cluster analysis based on abundance delineated 8 distinct zooplankton community groups. The occurrence of each group varied regionally and 3–5 groups were vertically stratified at each station. Across all stations, Normalized Biomass Size Spectra (NBSS) and size diversity showed pronounced change around 150–500 m depths. At shallower depths, the NBSS slope was steep, the intercept was high, and size diversity was low while, at deeper depths the opposite was true for each of those parameters. Generalized additive models showed that depth, temperature, and salinity had a significant effect on NBSS and size diversity. This study indicates that the ZooScan imaging approach may be useful in the analysis of deep-sea zooplankton communities.

Summer decapod crustacean larval communities along the eastern Spanish Mediterranean coast.

Decapod crustaceans are a diverse group englobing several species of commercial and ecological interest. In the Mediterranean Sea, decapod crustacean fisheries are among the most profitable, although in many cases their early life stages are poorly known. In this study, we tackle the composition and diversity patterns of the decapod larval communities along the eastern Spanish Mediterranean coast. Zooplankton sampling was carried out in surface waters at 101 stations from July 20th to August 31st 2016, over bottom depths between 90 and 1840 m. All shrimp larvae were identified to the lowest possible taxonomical level, and larvae from Anomura, Achelata and Brachyura were left at infraorder level. No larvae of Astacidea or Polychelida were found. The total zooplankton volume was estimated. A total of 20,022 decapod crustacean larvae were identified, focusing on shrimp taxa (suborder Dendrobranchiata and infraorder Caridea). Both zooplankton volume and decapod larval density values were higher in the northern part of the studied area, cut by deep submarine canyons. After assessing the diversity parameters of the decapod larval community, we present the summer mesoscale larval distribution of several species of commercial interest such as the caramote prawn (Penaeus kerathurus) or the deep-water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris). The northern submarine canyons are dominated by the presence of Penaeoidea, being the deep-sea shrimp Aristeus antennatus the dominant species in the community in this area, while the Sergestoidea are more abundant in the southern zone. This is the largest-scale study on decapod larvae mesoscale distribution in the Mediterranean Sea.

Canyon Downwelling and Water Mass Influences on Winter Zooplankton Distributions in the Coastal Northeast Pacific

AbstractSubmarine canyons are considered biological hotspots due to enhanced mixing, upwelling, and other dynamic processes. There have been few observational surveys of canyon processes or zooplankton‐watermass relations during stormy downwelling seasons. In winter 2017, three autonomous underwater gliders provided highly‐resolved hydrographic and zooplankton backscatter observations in and around a canyon in the Northeast Pacific. While a glider's slow speed typically confounds spatial and temporal signals, the concurrent use of multiple gliders, sampling a canyon transect repeatedly, allowed us to explore the canyon system both spatially (i.e., canyon influence) and temporally (i.e., changing water type fractions). Canyon downwelling displaced the pycnocline by about 30 m depth over the scale of the canyon, which is ∼30% of the total pycnocline depth deviation observed over the course of the study. Diel vertically migrating (DVM) zooplankton generally stayed above the pycnocline and mean zooplankton volume scattering strength (Sv) in the upper water column (above the pycnocline) was higher when the pycnocline was deeper. At mid‐depths (150–200 m depth), zooplankton backscatter and DVM behavior were correlated with water type fractions, with higher Sv being associated with higher proportions of Pacific Equatorial Water and stronger DVM being associated with higher proportions of Pacific Subarctic Upper Water. Winter zooplankton distributions appear to be influenced by multiple, interacting drivers including canyon dynamics and water mass composition. In our study, the latter was found to have the stronger influence on zooplankton distribution.

The Abundance and Distribution of the Early Life Stages of Sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in Central of the Aegean Sea (Sığacık Bay) and their Interactions with Certain Environmental Factors

The study was carried out on a monthly basis at 16 stations between January 2017 and December 2017 in the Sigacik Bay, Izmir, Turkey. For ichthyoplankton sample collections, vertical (350 μm) plankton tows were carried out using a WP-2-type plankton net with a mouth area of 0.255 m2. Depth, temperature, oxygen, pH, salinity, zooplankton volume and chlorophyll-a values were detected at each research station in the study. The eggs and larvae of the sardine samples were obtained during the period between December and February, the maximum being in February (mean temperature 15.29 ± 0.57 °C). The mean abundance values of all sardine eggs and larvae in all stations were 78 individuals·10 m−2. The egg diameter values in sardines were in the range of 1.40–1.69 mm and the oil globule diameter values were in the range of 0.12–0.18 mm. The majority of sardine eggs and larvae were found at the depths of 25–75-m at the stations. The correlation between the abundance of sardine eggs and larvae and environmental variables was determined using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). There was a positive correlation between sardine eggs and dissolved oxygen (r: 0.75) and a negative correlation between larvae and salinity (r:-0.75). It was concluded that sardine does not prefer Sigacik Bay as a spawning area. However, further ichthyoplanktonic studies considering the fluctuations of pilchard stocks in Sigacik Bay should be carried out for a longer period to better clarify the issue.

Seasonal changes in paralarval cephalopod communities on the southwest coast of Baja California Sur (spring and autumn 2003)

We recorded seasonal changes in the paralarval cephalopod communities collected off the southwestern coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico, during 2003. Simultaneous surface and oblique trawls were carried out with CalCOFI-type nets and CTD casts during spring and autumn 2003 on board the R/V Río Suchiate (Secretaría de Marina), at 85 sampling stations (Magdalena Bay to Cape San Lucas). The paralarval cephalopod community predominantly showed tropical affinity in both seasons. During autumn, 11 tropical taxa, 2 cosmopolitan taxa, and one temperate taxon were incorporated to the paralarval community recorded previously in spring and were associated with the decrease in Subarctic Water and the entrance of warm water masses to the study region, modifying the community indexes between seasons. The canonical correspondence analysis showed 2 groups significantly correlated with chlorophyll a concentrations and zooplankton volumes. Oblique tows provide better information on the paralarval cephalopod community, while surface tows can be an efficient method for monitoring and evaluating the hatching areas of the jumbo Pacific squid Dosidicus gigas through their paralarvae, which are included in the Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis–Dosidicus gigas complex (SD complex).
 Key words: paralarvae, community structure, SD complex, Baja California Sur.

PELAGIC ENVIRONMENT IN THE WESTERN PART OF JAKARTA BAY

Seven stations in the western part of Jakarta Bay were occupied monthly from June 1974 to June 1975. Monthly variations of several hydrological and biological properties of the pelagic environments are described. Rainfall over the hinterland of Jakarta plays important role in lowering the salinity in the bay. On the other hand the phosphate content is more closely associated with the rainfall over Jakarta. The main source of phosphate is likely to come from the result of urban activities in Jakarta. There is a fair corespondence in annual fluctuation between phosphate and phytoplankton chlorophyll. Annual mean of properties at each station shows that from the shore outward the values of phosphate, phytoplankton chlorophyll, and zooplankton volume decreased while of salinity and transparency increased. Interrelationships among several factors are discussed.

Length-weight Relationships and Chemical Composition of the Dominant Mesozooplankton Taxa/species in the Subarctic Pacific, with Special Reference to the Effect of Lipid Accumulation in Copepoda.

Asami Nakamura, Kohei Matsuno, Yoshiyuki Abe, Hiroshi Shimada, and Atsushi Yamaguchi (2017) While length-weight (L-W) regressions for warm-water zooplankton taxa from the waters neighbouring Japan already exist, they are still missing for comparable cold-water species. In this study, the L-W regressions of 41 species belonging to 12 taxa that are dominant in the Oyashio region were reported. The body length and volume of zooplankton were measured with an image-analysis system, and the effects of lipid accumulation in Copepoda on their mass and chemical composition were quantified. The L-W regressions had a high coefficient of determination (mean r2 = 0.886). For the chemical composition, the water composition ranged from 69.8 to 95.2% wet mass (WM), carbon (C) composition from 3.8 to 60.8% dry mass (DM) and nitrogen (N) composition from 1.0 to 10.1% DM. Taxon-specific differences in the chemical composition were marked for the gelatinous taxa (Appendicularia, Cnidaria, Salpida), which also had high water and low C composition. Because C is an index of lipids, high water compositions together with low lipid compositions are considered to be characteristics of the gelatinous taxa. The most significant effects of lipid accumulation in the Copepoda are changes in DM and C. Within the same developmental stage, the DM and C compositions of the full lipid-containing specimens showed 495% and 741% increases, respectively, over those of the low lipid-containing specimens. These differences exceeded the changes after moulting (78.1%) for general copepod species. Thus, lipid accumulation should be evaluated for the accurate mass estimation of boreal Copepoda by image analysis.

Hydrographic and fish larvae distribution during the “Godzilla El Niño 2015–2016” in the northern end of the shallow oxygen minimum zone of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean

AbstractBased on hydrographic data and vertical distributions of tropical species of fish larvae (Diogenichthys laternatus, Vinciguerria lucetia, Bregmaceros bathymaster, and Auxis spp.), effects of “Godzilla El Niño 2015–2016” in the shallow oxygen minimum zone off Mexico were analyzed. Zooplankton samples were collected during four cruises, before (February 2010 and April 2012) and during (June 2015 and March 2016) the warm event. Temporal series of sea surface temperature revealed that June 2015 was the warmest June of the last years. Conservative temperature was >2°C higher than normal in the surface mixed layer, and the suboxic layer (4.4 µmol/kg) reached as shallow as 100 m depth. Unexpected results were that larval abundances were relatively high during the warm event, unlike zooplankton volumes, which declined. Before the warm event, V. lucetia and Auxis spp. were more abundant in the surface mixed layer, while B. bathymaster and D. laternatus dominated in the thermocline and shallow hypoxic layer (44 µmol/kg). However, during the event in June 2015, all species were most abundant in the surface mixed layer, which implied that the species adapted to hypoxia had inverted their normal pattern of distribution, possibly as consequence of the rise of the suboxic layer; however, further observations are required to confirm this generality. Results showed no dramatic change in the total larval abundance during the warm event. Nevertheless, a differential response in their vertical distribution was evident in association with changes in the depth of the shallow hypoxic and suboxic layers. This might indicate adaptability of tropical species to prolonged periods of warming in the oceans.

USCG phase-II 선박평형수 처리장치 성능 평가를 위한 자연 해수의 동물플랑크톤 대량 확보 및 생사판별

USCG Phase-II 규정에 근거한 형식승인 시험은 전체 시험수에서 자연상태 생물군집이 75% 이상을 차지해야만 하며, 이러한 기준을 충족하기 위해 장목만과 마산만에서 Bongo네트를 이용해서 자연 해수의 동물플랑크톤 군집을 채집하였다. 장목만과 마산만에서 1톤으로 생물을 농축하였을 경우, 동물플랑크톤의 현존량은 각각<TEX>$1.8{\times}10^7ind.ton^{-1}$</TEX>과 <TEX>$2.3{\times}10{\times}10^7ind.ton^{-1}$</TEX>으로 나타났고, 살아 있는 생물 비율은 장목만이 82.6%로 마산만의 80.1%보다 약간 높게 나타났다. 특히 두 해역에서 동계에 출현한 동물플랑크톤의 군집조성은 유사하였고, 요각류 Acartia 속의 성체과 미성숙체가 극우점하는 양상을 보였다. 500톤 규모로 희석된 Test water에서 ><TEX>$50{\mu}m$</TEX> 크기 생물의 총 개체수 밀도는 장목만과 마산만에서 유사하게 <TEX>$6.0{\times}10^4ind.ton^{-1}$</TEX>로 관찰되었으나, 생물의 사멸율은 장목만 시료보다 마산만에서 12% 높게 나타났다. 동일 방법으로 수행하였음에도 불구하고 마산만이 사멸률이 높은 이유는 우점하는 Acartia 속의 미성숙 개체가 장목만에서 관찰된 현존량보다 30% 높게 나타났고, 미성숙체는 인위적인 채집 및 이송과정에서 일정의 지속적인 스트레스를 받아 사멸하였을 가능성이 높다. 장목만에서 BWTS 처리 당일과 처리 5일 경과 후, BWTS처리군의 생물은 100% 사멸되어, 처리장비의 성능을 검증할 수 있었다. 결과적으로 동계와 같이 낮은 생물현존량이 존재할 경우, 주간 6-7시간 수행한 네트의 생물농축만으로는 USCG Phase II의 형식승인 기준인 500톤 탱크에 <TEX>$10{\times}10^4ind.ton^{-1}$</TEX> 이상으로 ><TEX>$50{\mu}m$</TEX> 자연생물 개체수를 만족시키는 것은 쉽지 않았고, 이를 보안하기 위해서는 선박을 추가하는 등의 현실적인 대안이 필요할 것으로 판단되었다. We investigated ><TEX>$50-{\mu}m$</TEX> marine planktonic organisms (mainly zooplankton) using a bongo net in Masan Bay and Jangmok Bay in order to harvest 75% of natural communities based on Phase-II approval regulations by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The concentrated volume (in 1 ton) and abundance of zooplankton were <TEX>$1.8{\times}10^7ind.ton^{-1}$</TEX> and <TEX>$2.3{\times}10^7ind.ton^{-1}$</TEX>, and their survival rates were 82.6% and 80.1%, respectively. The community structure in Jangmok Bay was similar to that in Masan Bay, and dominant species were adult and immature groups (stage IV) of genus Acartia. Harvested populations were inoculated in a 500-ton test tank. Although the population abundances were <TEX>$6.0{\times}10^4ind.ton^{-1}$</TEX> for both bay samples, the mortality rates were higher in the Masan Bay population (32%) than the Jangmok Bay population (20%). We considered the reason to be that there were 30% more immature individuals of Acartia from Masan Bay than from Jangmok Bay. The younger population may have been greatly stressed by the moving process and netting gear. After applying a Ballast Water Treatment System (BWTS) using a sample form Jangmok Bay, the mortality rates in the treatment groups were found to be 100% after 0 days and 5 days, implying that the BWTS worked well. During the winter season, the zooplankton concentration method alone did not easily satisfy the approval standards of USCG Phase II (> <TEX>$10{\times}10^4ind.ton^{-1}$</TEX> in the 500 ton tank). Increasing the netting frequency and additional fishing boats may be helpful in meeting the USCG Phase II biological criteria.

Detecting causation on Zooplankton, atherinopsid, and barred splitfin time-series in a shallow tropical lake

Abstract We used Multispatial Convergent Cross Mapping analysis to detect causality on monthly differences of zooplankton volume and fish density and biomass time-series of atherinopsids (Chirostoma species) and barred splitfin (Chapalichthys encaustus) from Lake Chapala, Mexico. The dynamics of monthly differences of zooplankton volume were causally influenced by monthly differences in pH. The dynamics of the monthly differences of atherinopsid and barred splitfin density, and atherinopsid biomass, were not causally influenced by monthly differences of any of the measured physicochemical variables. The dynamics of the monthly differences of the barred splitfin biomass were due to monthly differences in water temperature and alkalinity. The dynamics of monthly differences of zooplankton volume did not show any significant causal forcing on the dynamics of monthly differences of density and biomass of atherinopsid and barred splitfin density. The dynamics of monthly differences of atherinopsids showed sign...

Distribution of planktonic cnidarian assemblages in the southern Gulf of Mexico, during autumn

BackgroundDespite their ecological, economic and medical relevance, very little information is available on the distribution of planktonic cnidarians, this being particularly true for some regions of the ocean such as the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, the effect of locally important oceanographic features such as the offshore autumnal transport on the distribution of planktonic cnidarians has long been overlooked in this region. Because of this, the present study aimed to analyse the spatial patterns of planktonic cnidarian assemblages in the southern Gulf of Mexico during the autumn of 1998, when particularly intense conditions of convergence, offshore water transportation and productivity were recorded. The assemblages were described in terms of their composition, abundance (volume), diversity, dominance and equitability. Cluster (Bray-Curtis index) and ordination (multidimensional scaling (MDS)) analysis were performed in order to link the observed distribution of species with the environmental parameters.ResultsSixty-eight taxa were recorded, with Koellikerina fasciculata and Muggiaea atlantica representing new records for the region. The holoplanktonic species Diphyes dispar, Abylopsis spp., Liriope tetraphylla, Diphyes bojani, Aglaura hemistoma, Muggiaea kochi, Chelophyes appendiculata and Eudoxoides mitra were dominant with respect to abundance (ml/1000 m3) and frequency of occurrence and defined the differences among the groups of stations. Four groups of sampling stations were identified: (A) the mouth of the Grijalva-Usumacinta system, (B) the Campeche Bank, (C) the area of offshore oil rigs and (D) the continental shelf off Tabasco and associated oceanic waters. The parameters that defined the groups of stations were zooplankton volume, sampling station depth, salinity and dissolved oxygen concentration.ConclusionsPlanktonic cnidarians are useful as indicators of water masses, since the observed zonation was congruent with the surface circulation patterns that are present during the autumn (offshore transportation) and the presence of particular local environmental conditions, including those at the mouth of the Grijalva-Usumacinta system and those associated with the area of oil rigs. We would expect that similar conditions of strong offshore transport would lead to a similar horizontal stratification in the assemblages of planktonic cnidarians in other parts of the world, driven mainly by salinity, oxygen, depth and zooplankton gradients.

Relationship Between Ichthyoplankton Abundance and Associated Zooplankton Biomass in the Shelf Waters off Argentina

AbstractZooplankton and ichthyoplankton volumes, and larval fish abundance, were determined for 689 stations established during 18 exploratory cruises in the sea off Argentina. Zooplankton density distributions throughout the year in relation to water temperature are presented. The equation Y = 5.89 × 0.78 was calculated and used to transform data on volumes obtained with a 505-μ-mesh net and compared then with those obtained with a 330-μ-mesh net. Strong negative correlations were observed between the volumes occupied by eggs of zooplanktophagous fish species and associated net zooplankton biomass: Micromesistius australis (r =—0.92); Sprattus fuegensis (r =—0.82); and Engraulis anchoita (r =—0.94). No significant relationships were obtained between the egg volumes of ichthyophagous species and associated net zooplankton biomass, and between fish larvae abundance and zooplankton volumes, though in this case a general positive tendency was observed. Zooplankton and ichthyoplankton abundances in two fishin...

Fish Larvae Response to Biophysical Changes in the Gulf of California, Mexico (Winter-Summer)

We analyzed the response of fish larvae assemblages to environmental variables and to physical macro- and mesoscale processes in the Gulf of California, during four oceanographic cruises (winter and summer 2005 and 2007). Physical data of the water column obtained through CTD casts, sea surface temperature, and chlorophyllasatellite imagery were used to detect mesoscale structures. Zooplankton samples were collected with standard Bongo net tows. Fish larvae assemblages responded to latitudinal and coastal-ocean gradients, related to inflow of water to the gulf, and to biological production. The 19°C and 21°C isotherms during winter, and 29°C and 31°C during summer, limited the distribution of fish larvae at the macroscale. Between types of eddy, the cyclonic (January) registered high abundance, species richness, and zooplankton volume compared to the other anticyclonic (March) and cyclonic (September). Thermal fronts (Big Islands) of January and July affected the species distribution establishing strong differences between sides. At the mesoscale, eddy and fronts coincided with the isotherms mentioned previously, playing an important role in emphasizing the differences among species assemblages. The multivariate analysis indicated that larvae abundance was highly correlated with temperature and salinity and with chlorophyllaand zooplankton volume during winter and summer, respectively.

Dynamic height: A key variable for identifying the spawning habitat of small pelagic fishes

Small pelagic fishes off southern California exhibit interannual variations in the regions they occupy. An enhanced understanding of these fluctuations could improve fisheries management and predictions of fish's responses to climate change. We investigated dynamic height as a variable for identifying the spawning habitat of northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax), and jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus). During cruises between 1998 and 2004, dynamic height was calculated from temperature and salinity profiles, while fish egg concentration was measured with obliquely towed bongo nets and the Continuous, Underway Fish Egg Sampler. Dynamic height ranged between 68 and 108cm, with values increasing offshore. The greatest probability of encountering anchovy, sardine, and jack mackerel eggs occurred at dynamic heights of 79–83cm, 84–89cm, and 89–99cm, respectively. Four mechanisms were proposed to explain how dynamic height affects egg distribution: (1) dynamic height is a proxy for upper water column temperature and salinity, which are known to influence spawning habitat. (2) Low dynamic heights are indicative of coastal upwelling, which increases primary and secondary productivity. (3) Egg concentration is greater at dynamic heights coincident with geostrophic currents that transport larvae to favorable habitats. (4) Eddies delineated by dynamic height contours retain eggs in productive habitats. To evaluate these mechanisms, a generalized linear model was constructed using dynamic height, temperature, salinity, chlorophyll, zooplankton volume, geostrophic currents, and eddies as independent variables. Dynamic height explained more variance than any other variable in models of sardine and anchovy spawning habitat. Together temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll accounted for 80–95% of the dynamic height effect, emphasizing the importance of the first two mechanisms. However, dynamic height remained statistically significant in the models of anchovy and jack mackerel spawning habitat after considering the effects of all other variables. Dynamic height shows promise as an ecological indicator of spawning habitat, because it integrates the effects of multiple oceanic variables, can be remotely sensed, and is predicted by ocean circulation models.

Climatic regimes and the recruitment rate of anchoveta, Engraulis ringens, off Peru

The recruitment rate of Peruvian anchoveta, Engraulis ringens, was studied to test the hypothesis that long-term environmental variation (regime shifts) had a significant impact on density-dependent processes governing the anchovy recruitment during the period 1963–2004. On the basis of previous defined regimes and turning points for the Humboldt Current System, we identified two groups of years for increased recruitment of anchoveta (1963–1971 and 1986–2004), and one unfavorable period (1972–1985). A common intercept and significantly different slopes were found when the recruitment rate was plotted as a function of the spawning stock biomass during those groups of years, suggesting that density-dependent effects on recruitment were affected during different climate regimes. The favorable (unfavorable) regime was characterized by higher (lower) zooplankton volumes, and with a higher frequency of colder (warmer) waters. Dome-shaped relationships between recruitment rate, spawning stock biomass and SST, were detected with a Generalized Additive Model for the favorable regime. Thus, recruitment could be explained by non-linear effects of environmental variables. Ultimately, climatic regimes are affecting the density-dependent effects on recruitment of anchoveta and the mechanisms involved may be associated with changes in the carrying capacity of the spawning habitat of anchoveta off Peru, which in turn are related with the effects of cold and warm regimes.

Influence of a multiyear event of low salinity on the zooplankton from Mexican eco-regions of the California Current

Data are presented from the southern part of the California Current System (CCS) for the period 1997–2007, derived from the IMECOCAL monitoring program. Apart from El Niño 1997 to 1998, and La Niña 1998–1999 the strongest perturbation occurred in 2002 due to an intrusion of subarctic water affecting all the CCS. The response of zooplankton biomass to the strong cooling and freshening of the upper layer was an immediate drop followed by a progressive recovery between 2003 and 2007. Though the low salinity influence ended in 2006, the increased zooplankton trend continued, reinforced by increased upwelling activity beginning 2005 off north Baja California region (30–32°N) and beginning 2006 off central Baja California (24–30°N). Multiple regression analysis was done between regional variables and Upwelling Index (UI) and two basin-scale proxies: the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO), and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). The significant influence of the NPGO on surface salinity, salinity stratification, zooplankton volume and secondary consumers (zooplankton carnivores) suggests a basin scale control on these variables more than local mechanisms. The signature of the NPGO was also evident in the base of the trophic web, but more related to the group of crustacean herbivores in the north eco-region, and the tunicates in central Baja California. In this last region, the effect from NPGO on the zooplankton volume and tunicates was antagonist with UI indicative of similar importance of basin and local processes. However, when the time interval is limited to the post-subarctic intrusion (2003–2007) the significance of multiple regression models and physical variables was lost. Therefore, though data and bio-physical coupling analysis off Baja California suggest a better relation with NPGO compared to PDO, it is still not sufficient to explain the magnitude of the perturbation observed in 2002.

Pelagic ecosystem response to interannual variability off Baja California

Seasonal anomalies of salinity, phytoplankton chlorophyll a, and zooplankton volume off Baja California were examined from data obtained during 2001–2007. The analyses helped to identify a strong effect of physical processes on the pelagic ecosystem, diminishing near surface salinity and water column integrated phytoplankton biomass, and enhancing zooplankton volume. These changes are associated with an increase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) index, characterizing a warm phase of the index from summer 2002 to at least summer 2006. Negative chlorophyll a anomalies appear to respond to zooplankton grazing activity, with a possible top down effect during this period. Empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of Ekman drift reveal the seasonal and interannual patterns that describe the influence of upwelling zones, and there was a strong response to changes in the equatorward wind forcing from 2002 to 2006. The relationship between negative salinity anomalies and the two temporal EOF modes of Ekman drift was evident as a result of relaxation of coastal upwelling during this period. After 2006, the PDO index showed more neutral or negative values, defining the beginning of a cool phase, with positive nearsurface salinity anomalies off Baja California.

Whale distribution in relation to prey abundance and oceanographic processes in shelf waters of the Western Antarctic Peninsula

The Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is a biologically rich area supporting large standing stocks of krill and top predators (including whales, seals and seabirds). Physical forcing greatly affects productivity, recruitment, survival and distribution of krill in this area. In turn, such interactions are likely to affect the distribution of baleen whales. The Southern Ocean GLOBEC research program aims to explore the relationships and interactions between the environment, krill and predators around Marguerite Bay (WAP) in autumn 2001 and 2002. Bathymetric and environmental variables including acoustic backscattering as an indicator of prey abundance were used to model whale distribution patterns. We used an iterative approach employing (1) classification and regression tree (CART) models to identify oceanographic and ecological variables contributing to variability in humpback Megaptera novaeangliae and minke Balaenoptera acutorstrata whale distribution, and (2) generalized additive models (GAMs) to elucidate functional ecological relationships between these variables and whale distribution. The CART models indicated that the cetacean distribution was tightly coupled with zooplankton acoustic volume backscatter in the upper (25 to 100 m), and middle (100 to 300 m) portions of the water column. Whale distribution was also related to distance from the ice edge and bathymetric slope. The GAMs indicated a persistent, strong, positive relationship between increasing zooplankton volume and whale relative abundance. Furthermore, there was a lower limit for averaged acoustic volume backscatter of zooplankton below which the relationship between whales and prey was not significant. The GAMs also supported an annual relationship between whale distribution, distance from the ice edge and bathymetric slope, suggesting that these are important features for aggregating prey. Our results demonstrate that during the 2 yr study, whales were consistently and predictably associated with the distribution of zooplankton. Thus, humpback and minke whales may be able to locate physical features and oceanographic processes that enhance prey aggregation.

Zooplankton and the oceanography of the eastern tropical Pacific: A review

We review the spatial and temporal patterns of zooplankton in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean and relationships with oceanographic factors that affect zooplankton distribution, abundance and trophic relationships. Large-scale spatial patterns of some zooplankton groups show broad coincidence with surface water masses, circulation, and upwelling regions, in agreement with an ecological and dynamic partitioning of the pelagic ecosystem. The papers reviewed and a new compilation of zooplankton volume data at large-scale show that abundance patterns of zooplankton biomass have their highest values in the upwelling regions, including the Gulf of Tehuantepec, the Costa Rica Dome, the equatorial cold tongue, and the coast of Peru. Some of the first studies of zooplankton vertical distribution were done in this region, and a general review of the topic is presented. The possible physiological implications of vertical migration in zooplankton and the main hypotheses are described, with remarks on the importance of the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) as a barrier to both the vertical distribution and migration of zooplankton in the region. Recent results, using multiple-net gear, show that vertical distribution is more complex than previously thought. There are some well-adapted species that do live and migrate within the OMZ. Temporal patterns are reviewed and summarized with historical data. Seasonal variations in zooplankton biomass follow productivity cycles in upwelling areas. No zooplankton time series exist to resolve ENSO effects in oceanic regions, but some El Niño events have had effects in the Peru Current ecosystem. Multidecadal periods of up to 50 years show a shift from a warm sardine regime with a low zooplankton biomass to a cool anchovy regime in the eastern Pacific with higher zooplankton biomasses. However, zooplankton volume off Peru has remained at low values since the 1972 El Niño, a trend opposite to that of anchoveta biomass since 1984. Studies of trophic relations emphasize the difference in the productivity cycle in the eastern tropical Pacific compared to temperate or polar ecosystems, with no particular peaks in the stocks of either zooplankton or phytoplankton. Productivity is more dependent on local events like coastal upwelling or water circulation, especially in the equatorial countercurrent and around the equatorial cool-tongue. Micrograzers are very important in the tropics as are predatory mesozooplankton. Up to 70% of the daily primary productivity is consumed by microzooplankton, which thus regulates the phytoplankton stocks. Micrograzers are an important link between primary producers, including bacteria, and mesozooplankton, constituting up to 80% of mesozooplankton food. Oceanography affects zooplankton trophic relationships through spatial–temporal effects on primary productivity and on the distributions of metabolic factors, food organisms, and predators. This paper is part of a comprehensive review of the oceanography of the eastern tropical Pacific.

Effects of Changing Environments of Mangrove Creeks on Fish Communities at Trat Bay, Thailand

Effects of changing environments of riverside mangroves, coastal land uses, and water quality on fish communities were studied in Bangphra and Thaprik creeks, Trat Bay, Thailand. Regression analysis revealed that fish species richness in the wet season had a negative relationship with water transparency, nitrate, and phosphate and a positive relationship with zooplankton. In the dry season, species richness had a negative relationship with nitrate and phosphate and a positive relationship with salinity, pH, and zooplankton. Abundances and species richness of fish declined over distance from downstream to upstream in both creeks. Riparian mangroves and water quality also declined with distance upstream in both creeks. Results from one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's HSD test revealed that the highest zooplankton volume with the lowest amounts of nitrate and phosphate were observed at the downstream station in both creeks in each season. Low zooplankton volume with high amounts of nitrate and phosphate were found at the midstream and upstream stations of the creeks. The midstream and upstream stations of Bangphra Creek had low to moderate abundance of mangroves along the riversides, whereas shrimp farms were mainly found along the riversides at the midstream and upstream stations of Thaprik Creek. Correlation analysis results of land-use types and the significant habitat factors were discussed. This study found that mangrove degradation, shrimp farming, and residential and agricultural areas altered water quality and the health of fish habitats, causing the decreases in fish abundance and species richness.