NOW AVAILABLE: Latest zooplankton abundance data from the Western Channel Observatory L4 site between 1988-2023
Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML)
Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) is a charity, undertaking pioneering marine research for the benefit of us all
11 December 2024
The Western Channel Observatory team have recently published the latest data on zooplankton abundance up to 2023 at the L4 coastal sampling site, which is seven nautical miles south west of Plymouth, UK.
Plankton forms the basis of marine food webs so is an essential component within the marine ecosystem. Zooplankton are small, aquatic microorganisms that live in the water column and include crustaceans, larvae and aquatic mites. They are a critical pathway for the flow of nutrients and energy transfer from primary producers to higher consumers.
Ongoing zooplankton research at Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) has established a unique time series of zooplankton species since 1988 at L4 (50°15.00′?N, 4°13.02′?W). Weekly samples are collected by vertical net hauls from the sea floor, which is approximately 50m to the surface.
The dataset runs from 14th March 1988 to 18th December 2023 and results presented are number/m3 mean values from two replicate hauls made on each sampling timepoint.
It is encouraged that users of the data maintain contact with originators of the dataset to prevent misuse or misunderstanding of the data provided due to the complex nature and temporal coverage of the data provided.
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Images above: Interesting zooplankton this year: Jaxea nocturna ?– a mud shrimp larvae with a long neck. The long neck is believed to help with buoyancy. Anchovy egg – only appeared in the last couple of years in our samples. Generally a warmer water species.
DOI and authors:
McEvoy A.; Atkinson A.; Beesley A.(2024). Zooplankton abundance time series from net hauls at Western Channel Observatory site L4 off Plymouth, UK between 1988-2023. NERC EDS British Oceanographic Data Centre NOC. doi:10.5285/285d5ae7-934f-f7c4-e063-7086abc031fc
Research Fellow at the Marine Biological Association & the University of Plymouth. Aria R&D Creator
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