Rationale: In the Barents Sea ecosystem, zooplankton forms a link between phytoplankton (primary producers) and fish, mammals and other organisms at higher trophic levels. It is thus important to monitor this group to better understand ecosystem dynamics
Theme: Biotic
Component: Zooplankton
Type of indicator: E, state of the ecosystem
Priority of indicator: e, essential
Parameters:
• Species composition of zooplankton (IMR, PINRO)
• Average zooplankton biomass (3 size classes) in autumn survey of the entire Barents Sea (IMR, PINRO)
• Species abundance of zooplankton (IMR, PINRO)
• Relative abundance of Calanus species (IMR, PINRO)
• Spatial distribution of total zooplankton biomass in autumn survey of the entire Barents Sea (IMR, PINRO)
• Species composition of krill (IMR, PINRO)
• Krill abundance (IMR, PINRO)
• Jelly fish biomass (IMR, PINRO)
Responsible institution:
Phytoplankton. Photo: Norwegian Polar Institute