Biocoenotic changes of the zooplankton in the German Bight: the possible effects of eutrophication and climate

Abstract

Meso- and macrozooplankton have been sampled in the German Bight since 1974. Inter-annual changes in the dynamics of selected species have been analysed in terms of mean annual abundance and timing of abundance maxima. Information on new immigrants is also presented. Possible causes of the observed changes, particularly in relation to nutrient availability and climatic signals, are discussed.