Modelling the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on plankton distribution in the Bay of Biscay, during three consecutive years (2004-06)

Lucia Zarauz*, Xabier Irigoien, Jose A. Fernandes

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

Three surveys were carried out in the Bay of Biscay during the springs of 2004, 2005 and 2006. Hydrographic, nano-microplankton (diatoms, ciliates and unidentified particles) and mesozooplankton biomass data were collected at mesoscale spatial resolution. Generalized additive models (GAMs) based on a combination of hydrographic, geographic and biological terms were used to understand the factors affecting distribution. The final models accounted for 66% of the variability in the biomass distribution of unidentified particles, 60% for diatoms, 44% for mesozooplankton and 23% for ciliates. The contribution of hydro-geographical terms was greater than the information described by the biological variables. Geographical location (latitude and longitude) was the main explanatory factor for all of the plankton groups identified, revealing that the presence of mesoscale fronts related to geographical structures is more relevant than the hydrographic variables per se, to describe plankton distribution.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)857-872
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Plankton Research
Volume30
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2008
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was supported by several projects funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Research, and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Basque Country Government (BIOMAN, EIPZI). L.Z.’s work was supported by a Doctoral Fellowship of the Education, Universities and Research Department of the Basque Country Government. J.A.F. was supported by a doctoral fellowship from the Fundación Centros Tecnológicos Iñaki Goenaga.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Aquatic Science
  • Ecology

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