Spatial and temporal variations of macro-and mesozooplankton community in the Huanghai Sea (Yellow Sea) and East China Sea in summer and winter

The study was conducted during two cruises of June-August 2006 (summer), and January-February 2007 (winter) in the Huanghai (Yellow) Sea and East China Sea. Spatial and temporal variations of zooplankton abundance, biomass and community structure and its relation to currents and water masses over the continental shelf were examined. A total of 584 zooplankton species/taxa and 28 planktonic larvae were identified during the two surveys. Copepods were the most abundant component among these identified groups. Zooplankton abundance and biomass fluctuated widely and showed distinct heterogeneity in the shelf waters. Five zooplankton assemblages were identified with hierarchical cluster analysis during this study, and they were Huanghai Sea Assemblage, Changjiang Estuary Assemblage, Coastal Assemblage, East China Sea Mixed-water Assemblage and East China Sea Offshore Assemblage. Seasonal changes of zooplankton community composition and its geographical distribution were detected, and the locations of the faunistic areas overlap quite well with water masses and current systems. So we suggest that the zooplankton community structure and its changes were determined by the water masses in the Huanghai Sea and East China Sea. The results of this research can provide fundamental information for the long-term monitoring of zooplankton ecology in the shelf of Huanghai Sea and East China Sea.