Winter distribution of zooplankton and ichthyoplankton assemblages in the North Sea and the English Channel.

ABSTRACT: Although zooplankton were extensively studied in the North Sea, knowledge about winter zooplankton assemblages is still scarce, despite potential influence of zooplankton overwintering stocks on seasonal plankton succession and productivity. Furthermore, several economically and ecologically important fish species reproduce during winter contributing to the zooplankton community as passive members (eggs) or predators (larvae). To elucidate on winter zooplankton distribution, abundance and composition in the Southern North Sea and Eastern English Channel, we defined assemblages based on mesozoo- and ichthyoplankton data sampled between January and February 2008 using fuzzy-clustering and indicator species. Mesozoo- and ichthyoplankton (eggs+larvae) were integrated in a common analysis by us

SUBMITTER: Neven CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11458026 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature