Global distribution and biomass of the mesopelagic mesozooplankton and micronekton community ...

• Main Author: Egorova, Yulia
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2023
• Subjects: North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0437573; https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0437573

Despite the ecological importance of mesopelagic zooplankton, very little is known about their global distribution in the midwater realm, and even less information is available on global trends in their diversity. This study is the first attempt to explore the distribution, diversity gradients, and total biomass of mesopelagic mesozooplankton and micronekton in the global ocean. This study created the first quantitative Mesopelagic Mesozooplankton and Micronekton Database, organizing and standardizing a broad spectrum of literature sources for effective data analysis. Analyzing 861 mesozooplankton species using a range of species distribution models, the study found that the highest species richness was observed in the North Atlantic region, the west coast of India, and the Mediterranean Sea. Factors such as water temperature, euphotic zone depth, salinity, and dissolved nitrate concentration were essential for explaining their distribution. The results of this study indicate that NPP and POC are important ...