Seasonal variations in the net mesozooplankton community structure and abundance in the port of Ploče

Autor: Maškarić, Karlo, Mikuš, Josip, Bratoš Cetinić, Ana, Pećarević, Marijana
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Popis: The objective of this research was to update the existing database of the mesozooplankton community in the port of Ploče. This should enable new insights into the impact of abiotic and biotic parameters on mesozooplankton composition and abundance in the studied area. The port of Ploče is located in the Neretva channel, where industrial infrastructure is scarce. The area is under the major influence of both the Neretva river and the highly saline oligotrophic waters of the open sea. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of mesozooplankton at least to order level was performed on samples obtained from three stations in the port of Ploče during four seasons, i.e. from autumn 2020 to summer 2021, as part of the ProtectAS project. The sampling methodology was in line with the port baseline survey protocol developed during the BALMAS project. Population density values of the total mesozooplankton ranged from a minimum of 926 ind. m-3 at station P3 (29.4.2021) to a maximum of 24, 810 ind. m-3 at station P1 (10.2.2021). Copepods were the dominant group throughout the study period, accounting for 80 % (during autumn at P3 station) to 98 % (during spring at P3 station) of the total mesozooplankton. We correlated the values of temperature, salinity and the total zooplankton with specific groups of zooplankton as well as the values of important zooplankton groups with each other. The highest number of significant correlations between abiotic and biotic parameters occurred during spring. Significant correlations between the total abundance and specific groups were evident throughout all seasons. Compared to previous research in the same area conducted in 2011, the population density values of all major zooplankton groups obtained during our research have increased.
Databáze: OpenAIRE