Anouk Ollevier, Jonas Mortelmans, Wieter Boone, Klaas Deneudt, Marleen De Troch, Roeland Develter, Cedric Goossens, Lorenz Meire, Klas Ove Möller, Leandro Ponsoni, Pascal I. Hablützel
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
In recent years, optical imaging has emerged as a promising tool for in situ observations of plankton. In this study, we aimed to compare the plankton community estimates obtained from a Video Plankton Recorder (VPR) imaging device with net-based approaches. By collecting VPR and net samples in clear waters with large-sized plankton and eutrophic waters with small-sized plankton, spatial and temporal patterns in plankton densities and community composition were compared. Furthermore, it allowed the evaluation of the performance of imaging methods under diverse hydrographic conditions. We observed pronounced spatial differences in density estimates. In the eutrophic site, the WP2 net densities consistently surpassed those from a VPR, while in the clear water site the observed densities of the VPR and a MultiNet were more similar. Variations in water column turbidity, plankton body size, plankton nets and their mesh size, and the total sampled water volume were found to likely play a role in the observed inconsistencies between the sampling sites. The results suggested that a VPR is particularly well-suited for use in clear waters inhabited by large-sized plankton. The VPR demonstrated potential in enhancing density estimates of fragile (Phaeocystis) and gelatinous taxa (Cnidaria and Ctenophora) in specific environments being non-invasive. Overall, the VPR and other optical imaging devices show valuable insights into zooplankton ecology and distribution, complementing density estimates of traditional net sampling methods, and enhancing our understanding of the role of zooplankton in marine ecosystems.
期刊介绍:
Limnology and Oceanography: Methods (ISSN 1541-5856) is a companion to ASLO''s top-rated journal Limnology and Oceanography, and articles are held to the same high standards. In order to provide the most rapid publication consistent with high standards, Limnology and Oceanography: Methods appears in electronic format only, and the entire submission and review system is online. Articles are posted as soon as they are accepted and formatted for publication.
Limnology and Oceanography: Methods will consider manuscripts whose primary focus is methodological, and that deal with problems in the aquatic sciences. Manuscripts may present new measurement equipment, techniques for analyzing observations or samples, methods for understanding and interpreting information, analyses of metadata to examine the effectiveness of approaches, invited and contributed reviews and syntheses, and techniques for communicating and teaching in the aquatic sciences.