Long-term variability in zooplankton biomass in the subarctic Pacific Ocean |
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Authors: | RICHARD D. BRODEUR DANIEL M. WARE |
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Affiliation: | Department of Fisheries and Oceans Pacific Biological Station Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5K6 Canada |
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Abstract: | Zooplankton collections from the subarctic Pacific were analyzed from two periods (1956–1962 and 1980–1989). In this report, we document: 1) a positive correlation between the intensity of winter winds and subsequent summer zooplankton biomass in the subarctic gyre within these periods; and 2) a doubling of zooplankton biomass and a similar increase in pelagic fish and squid abundance between these two periods of time. Some possible explanations for these changes are considered. |
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Keywords: | zooplankton temporal variability climate effects subarctic Pacific |
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