Global estimate of mesopelagic mesozooplankton biomass
Abstract
The global standing stock of mesozooplankton in the mesopelagic zone was assessed using estimates of particulate organic carbon (POC) and net primary productivity (NPP). These estimates were compared to published data to establish a relationship between epipelagic and mesopelagic zooplankton biomasses. The relationship between species diversity and biomass in the mesopelagic zone was examined using scatterplots and maps with 2-dimenssional scales. The results showed that NPP and POC were important predictors of mesopelagic mesozooplankton biomass (MMB). Linear models incorporating these factors were statistically significant, explaining a moderate to high proportion of variance in the predicted MMB. The spatial patterns of MMB showed higher values in some regions of the northern hemisphere, along the west coasts of continents, and in the equatorial and 50°S bands. This study provides the first estimates of MMB using two definitions of the mesopelagic zone: standard (200-1000 m depths) and variable depth. Global MMB was estimated between 0.20 and 0.91 PgC, depending on the method. High biomass values were common in regions with intermediate rarity values and high species richness coupled with high POC stocks. Surface and mesopelagic biomass spatial patterns were consistent, and the epipelagic/mesopelagic biomass ratio depended on mesopelagic zone depth, suggesting a higher MMB than previously observed.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Understanding the factors influencing fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) damage in African smallholder maize fields and quantifying its impact on yield. A case study in Eastern Zimbabwe
- Alarming situation of emerging H5 and H7 avian influenza and effective control strategies
- Livestock and food security: vulnerability to population growth and climate change
- Atmosphere–ocean oxygen and productivity dynamics during early animal radiations
- Characterization of the global distribution and diversified plasmid reservoirs of the colistin resistance gene mcr-9
- The global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.