Indicator: AAT-08 Plankton populations
Data
Seasonal changes in total zooplankton abundance
Source: Hosie, G.W, Fukuchi, M. & Kawaguchi, S 2003, Development of the Southern Ocean Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey
Latitudinal change in total zooplankton abundance (November to February)
Source: Hosie, G.W, Fukuchi, M. & Kawaguchi, S 2003, Development of the Southern Ocean Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey
What the data mean
The data relating to seasonal changes in total zooplankton abundance shows that there are lower abundances of plankton during the winter months, with the lowest values in August. Abundances peak through November to February. Scientists noted that most of the data for 1999-2000 was well above the average whereas that for 2000-01 was consistently lower (Hosie et al, 2003).
The latitudinal change data showed that there was marked differences in abundance across latitudes. Low abundances were found in the Sub-Antarctic Zone (SAZ) north of the Sub-Antarctic Front (SAF), and in the sea-ice zone south of the Southern Antarctic Circumpolar Front (SACCF). Species diversity was also lowest in the sea-ice zone. Highest abundances were found in the area between SACCF and SAF and the region between the Polar Front (PF) and SACCF (Hosie et al, 2003).
Future surveys and analysis of data will provide trend data.
Source: Hosie, G.W, Fukuchi, M. & Kawaguchi, S. 2003, Development of the Southern Ocean Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey.
Data Limitations
Forty years of surveying will be required to make an assessment of true interannual and interdecadal patterns. Another 5 to 10 years of sampling will be needed before any assessment could be made on biodiversity and associated spatial patterns.
Issues for which this is an indicator and why
Australian Antarctic Territory — Environment - Marine ecosystems
Antarctica and surrounding waters are expected to be particularly sensitive and vulnerable to climate change. Zooplankton may respond to climatic forcing and may be sensitive to slight increases in UV levels and changes in other environmental conditions such as circulation patterns, sea-ice cover and pollution. In addition, plankton are an important part of the food web and therefore monitoring the number and composition of plankton is vital.
Other indicators for this issue:
- AAT-09 Seabird populations
- AAT-10 seal populations
- AAT-11 Whale populations
- CO-02 Number of marine species that are endangered or threatened and changes in population/ distribution of selected threatened species
- BD-02 Conservation status of nationally significant species and ecological communities, compared with previous years
- BD-04 Listed threatened species or ecological communities for which recovery action is showing stable or increasing populations
Biodiversity — Species, habitats and ecological communities - Conservation status of species and ecological communities
Plankton are an important part of the food web and therefore monitoring the number and composition of plankton is vital to understanding pressures on biodiversity not just in the AAT but throughout the world’s oceans.
Other indicators for this issue:
- BD-02 Conservation status of nationally significant species and ecological communities, compared with previous years
- BD-04 Listed threatened species or ecological communities for which recovery action is showing stable or increasing populations
- IW-30 Macroinvertebrate condition
- IW-31 Fish - Abundance and distribution
- IW-32 Frogs - Abundance and distribution
- IW-33 Abundance and distribution of waterbirds
- CO-01 Trends in selected groups of coastal and marine species and habitats
- CO-02 Number of marine species that are endangered or threatened and changes in population/ distribution of selected threatened species
- CO-16 Status of Australian fisheries
- LD-01 The proportion and area of native vegetation and changes over time
- AAT-09 Seabird populations
- AAT-10 seal populations
- AAT-11 Whale populations
- AAT-12 Changes in colonies of plants on Heard Island
Plankton are an important part of the food web and therefore monitoring the number and composition of plankton is vital to understanding the condition of marine biodiversity not just in the AAT but throughout the world’s oceans.
Other indicators for this issue:
- CO-01 Trends in selected groups of coastal and marine species and habitats
- CO-02 Number of marine species that are endangered or threatened and changes in population/ distribution of selected threatened species
- BD-02 Conservation status of nationally significant species and ecological communities, compared with previous years
- BD-04 Listed threatened species or ecological communities for which recovery action is showing stable or increasing populations
- AAT-09 Seabird populations
- AAT-10 seal populations
- AAT-11 Whale populations
- AAT-12 Changes in colonies of plants on Heard Island
Coasts and Oceans — Condition of the ocean and coastal waters - Condition of species, habitats and ecosystems
Plankton are an important part of the food web and therefore monitoring the number and composition of plankton is vital to understanding the condition of marine biodiversity not just in the AAT but throughout the world’s oceans.
Other indicators for this issue:
- CO-01 Trends in selected groups of coastal and marine species and habitats
- CO-02 Number of marine species that are endangered or threatened and changes in population/ distribution of selected threatened species
- BD-02 Conservation status of nationally significant species and ecological communities, compared with previous years
- BD-04 Listed threatened species or ecological communities for which recovery action is showing stable or increasing populations
- AAT-09 Seabird populations
- AAT-10 seal populations
- AAT-11 Whale populations
Further Information
Key
Links to another web site
Links to data in the DRS
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