NOW AVAILABLE: Latest zooplankton abundance data from the Western Channel Observatory L4 site between 1988-2023

“Mixed zooplankton sample” by Adriana Zingone, Domenico D’Alelio, Maria Grazia Mazzocchi, Marina Montresor, Diana Sarno, LTER-MC team is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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.

Click here to access the latest edition of PML’s zooplankton abundance data >>

Click here for more information on the zooplankton timeseries can be found here >>