Zooplankton samples were collected from the Canadian Beaufort Sea shelf in 1986, during both ice-covered (May) and open-water (July-September) conditions. The resulting database contains 11,091 data rows with 247 taxonomic identifications across 30 groups, derived from 362 net samples. The dataset was compiled by SCIOPS and includes wet/dry biomass, length-frequency, and caloric density data.
Use Cases
- Analyze seasonal shifts in zooplankton abundance and community composition by comparing taxonomic group counts from ice-covered (May) versus open-water (July-September) periods.
- Model biomass distribution using wet and dry biomass columns for neuston and 500 µm bongo net samples, which recorded maxima of 44.15 g/100 m³ and 123.72 g/100 m³ respectively.
- Study copepod population structure using length-frequency data from 23 specific samples collected with 500 µm bongo nets.
- Estimate energy content in zooplankton communities by analyzing sample caloric density data available from nine 500 µm bongo net samples.
Strengths
- Substantial taxonomic detail with 247 identifications across 30 taxonomic groups.
- High sample count of 362 net samples collected from 49 stations.
- Includes multiple measurement types: abundance (33.66 million specimens), biomass (wet/dry), length-frequency, and caloric density.
Limitations
- Data is from a single year (1986), limiting analysis of long-term trends or interannual variability.
- Sampling gear varied (neuston, 85 µm bongo, 500 µm bongo), which can complicate direct comparisons of catch efficiency and size selectivity.
- Caloric density data is available for only nine samples, a small subset of the total collection.
Provenance
- Source
- SCIOPS via NASA Earthdata.
- Collection Method
- Field collection using Wisconsin, neuston, 85 µm bongo, and 500 µm bongo nets at the water surface and in the water column.
- Time Range
- 1986 (May, July-September).
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Canadian Beaufort Sea shelf.