Coastal Zooplankton Abundance and Distribution in Tasmanian Estuaries

Australian Ocean Data Network collected mesozooplankton community data in the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, Huon Estuary, and North West Bay, Tasmania. The dataset represents a sampling trip from June 8, 2005, as part of a broader survey from November 2004 to October 2005. It examines the composition, structure, and seasonal abundance of species like copepods, cladocerans, and appendicularians.

Use Cases

• Analyze seasonal abundance patterns of copepods, cladocerans, and appendicularians using temporal and station data.
• Compare spatial distribution of marine species like Calanus australis versus estuarine species like Gladioferens pectinatus across the Channel, Estuary, and Bay.
• Model contributions of zooplankton groups, krill, and amphipods to sediment trap material via faecal pellet data.
• Investigate short-term abundance peaks and absence periods for meroplanktonic larvae of benthic animals.

Strengths

• Data covers three distinct coastal zones: D'Entrecasteaux Channel, Huon Estuary, and North West Bay.
• Temporal context includes a full annual cycle from November 2004 to October 2005.
• Identifies key contributor species groups, including copepods, cladocerans, and appendicularians.

Limitations

• Dataset represents a single sampling trip (08/06/2005), limiting cross-temporal analysis for that date.
• Sample size and row count are unknown, preventing assessment of statistical power.
• Geographic scope is restricted to specific Tasmanian estuaries, limiting broader regional inference.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Field sampling of mesozooplankton community composition and structure.

Time Range

Sampling date: 08/06/2005; Survey period: November 2004 to October 2005.

Freshness

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Geography

D'Entrecasteaux Channel, Huon Estuary, and North West Bay, Tasmania, Australia.