| The Gulf of Mexico (GOM) is defined as a single Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) for purposes of ecosystem-based management. Since mesozooplankton provide a vital forage base for the GOM's important fisheries, understanding zooplankton dynamics across the GOM should give insight into patterns of fisheries production. This study assesses zooplankton community abundance, structure and diversity synoptically across the northern GOM and establishes biological and physical factors that structure zooplankton communities. A Continuous Underway Fish Egg Sampler (CUFES) was employed to collect discrete surface samples across the northern GOM during Fall 2007 and 2008. Analyses revealed differences between inshore and offshore zooplankton communities and also between eastern and western regions of the northern GOM. Bottom-up and physical processes exhibited the strongest structuring effect on zooplankton. However, top-down effects imposed by jellyfish predation are suspected on localized scales. This study suggests that the northern GOM LME should be further divided into sub-units for management purposes. |
