Late fall 1988 data from NOAA NCEI details the vertical distribution of four dominant calanoid copepod species across five oceanographic stations in the Greenland Sea. The dataset compares species abundance and stage composition between Arctic and Atlantic water masses, sampling nine depth strata down to 3,000 meters. It was collected by researchers between November 6 and December 12, 1988.
Use Cases
- Model species-specific abundance (e.g., Calanus finmarchicus, C. hyperboreus) as a function of water mass type (Arctic vs. Atlantic) and sampling station.
- Analyze vertical distribution patterns by depth stratum (0-300m, 1000-1500m, etc.) for different copepod life stages and species.
- Investigate stage composition and sex ratio data to infer life cycle strategies and gonad maturation timelines.
- Estimate organic matter dislocation using data on ontogenetic vertical migration depth ranges and species concentrations.
- Benchmark egg production rates using the recorded metric of up to 149 eggs per female per day for C. hyperboreus.
Strengths
- Data spans five distinct oceanographic stations for comparative analysis between two major water masses.
- Sampling covers nine precise depth strata, providing detailed vertical distribution profiles down to 3,000 meters.
- Includes specific biological metrics such as egg production rates (up to 149 eggs/female/day) and stage composition analysis.
Limitations
- Temporal coverage is limited to a single 37-day period in late fall 1988, lacking seasonal or multi-year data.
- Sample size is constrained to five stations, which may not fully represent spatial heterogeneity across the Greenland Sea.
- The dataset is over 35 years old, and current species distributions may differ due to climate change.
Provenance
- Source
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI Accession 0000917).
- Collection Method
- Vertical sampling at nine depth strata using plankton nets at five oceanographic stations.
- Time Range
- 1988-11-06 to 1988-12-12
- Freshness
- 1988-12-12
- Geography
- Greenland Sea, specifically stations within the Greenland Sea Gyre (Arctic water) and the Westspitsbergen Current (Atlantic water).