Plankton abundance and size structure in the northern North Pacific Ocean in early summer

Phyto- and zooplankton abundance and size structure were investigated in the northern North Pacific Ocean (37.0–49.5oN along 180o longitude) during June of 1987. The area between 41.5oN and 47.5oN was expected to be abundant in phytoplankton since both water column stability and nutrient availability were favourable for phytoplankton growth. Actual phytoplankton abundance was, however, low between 41.5oN and 45.5oN. In particular, abundance of net phytoplankton (>10μm) was low although picophytoplankton (<2 μm) was abundant between 41.5oN and 43.5oN. The zooplankton community between 41.5oN and 45.5oN was characterized by a large amount of net zooplankton and a small amount of microzooplankton. This situation may be best explained by top-down control; that is, net zooplankton grazing suppressed net phytoplankton and microzooplankton abundance. The diminished microzooplankton promoted the increase of picophytoplankton. Because planktivorous Pacific saury were abundant between 40.0oN and 41.0oN, it is further speculated that the low biomass of net zooplankton south of 41.0oN resulted from feeding by Pacific saury. The reduced grazing pressure of net zooplankton may have enhanced the growth of net phytoplankton and microzooplankton in this region

The role of micro-organisms in the ecological connectivity of running waters

Pusch M, Fiebig D, Brettar I, et al. The role of micro-organisms in the ecological connectivity of running waters. Freshwater Biology. 1998;40(3):453-495