Neuston Tow Zooplankton Data from Oregon and California Coastal Cruises

Zooplankton samples were collected using a neuston net during four juvenile salmonid trawling cruises off the coasts of Oregon and California. The dataset, created by SCIOPS for the GLOBEC NEP Process Study, covers two sampling years, 2000 and 2002. Data includes genus/species-level identification with life stage and abundance information.

Use Cases

• Analyze zooplankton genus/species abundance across 22 cross-shelf sections to map prey distribution for juvenile salmonids.
• Compare life stage composition of zooplankton communities between the 2000 and 2002 sampling years.
• Investigate spatial patterns in neuston (surface-dwelling) zooplankton along the 41.5N to 45N latitude and 124.2W to 126.2W longitude range.
• Correlate zooplankton data from the Sea Eagle and Frosti ship cruises with concurrent juvenile salmonid trawl survey results.

Strengths

• Data reported at genus/species level with life stage and abundance details.
• Samples collected along 22 distinct cross-shelf sections (6 mesoscale and 16 fine scale).
• Systematic sampling across two years (2000 and 2002) with four dedicated ship cruises.

Limitations

• Sample size is limited to four cruises over two years, restricting temporal analysis.
• Geographic scope is confined to a specific region off Oregon and California.
• Row count and total sample volume are unknown, limiting statistical power assessment.

Provenance

Source

SCIOPS for the GLOBEC NEP Process Study, via NASA EarthData.

Collection Method

Sampling conducted with a neuston net (1-m wide by 0.3-m high mouth, 0.333-mm mesh) during juvenile salmonid trawling surveys.

Time Range

2000-05-29 to 2002-08-17

Freshness

null

Geography

Coastal ocean off Oregon and California, USA, within 41.5N - 45N latitude and 124.2W - 126.2W longitude.