Global estimate of mesopelagic mesozooplankton biomass
Abstract The global standing stock of mesozooplankton in the mesopelagic zone was assessed using estimates of particulate organic carbon (POC) and net primary productivity (NPP). These estimates were compared to published data to establish a relationship between epipelagic and mesopelagic zooplankto...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96105-4 |
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| author | Yulia Egorova Gabriel Reygondeau William W. L. Cheung Evgeny A. Pakhomov |
| author_facet | Yulia Egorova Gabriel Reygondeau William W. L. Cheung Evgeny A. Pakhomov |
| author_sort | Yulia Egorova |
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| description | Abstract The global standing stock of mesozooplankton in the mesopelagic zone was assessed using estimates of particulate organic carbon (POC) and net primary productivity (NPP). These estimates were compared to published data to establish a relationship between epipelagic and mesopelagic zooplankton biomasses. The relationship between species diversity and biomass in the mesopelagic zone was examined using scatterplots and maps with 2-dimenssional scales. The results showed that NPP and POC were important predictors of mesopelagic mesozooplankton biomass (MMB). Linear models incorporating these factors were statistically significant, explaining a moderate to high proportion of variance in the predicted MMB. The spatial patterns of MMB showed higher values in some regions of the northern hemisphere, along the west coasts of continents, and in the equatorial and 50°S bands. This study provides the first estimates of MMB using two definitions of the mesopelagic zone: standard (200–1000 m depths) and variable depth. Global MMB was estimated between 0.20 and 0.91 PgC, depending on the method. High biomass values were common in regions with intermediate rarity values and high species richness coupled with high POC stocks. Surface and mesopelagic biomass spatial patterns were consistent, and the epipelagic/mesopelagic biomass ratio depended on mesopelagic zone depth, suggesting a higher MMB than previously observed. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-6bf5c71fb84c4f1a949825eadddfe3322025-08-20T03:38:13ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-96105-4Global estimate of mesopelagic mesozooplankton biomassYulia Egorova0Gabriel Reygondeau1William W. L. Cheung2Evgeny A. Pakhomov3Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British ColumbiaRosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of MiamiInstitute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British ColumbiaDepartment of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British ColumbiaAbstract The global standing stock of mesozooplankton in the mesopelagic zone was assessed using estimates of particulate organic carbon (POC) and net primary productivity (NPP). These estimates were compared to published data to establish a relationship between epipelagic and mesopelagic zooplankton biomasses. The relationship between species diversity and biomass in the mesopelagic zone was examined using scatterplots and maps with 2-dimenssional scales. The results showed that NPP and POC were important predictors of mesopelagic mesozooplankton biomass (MMB). Linear models incorporating these factors were statistically significant, explaining a moderate to high proportion of variance in the predicted MMB. The spatial patterns of MMB showed higher values in some regions of the northern hemisphere, along the west coasts of continents, and in the equatorial and 50°S bands. This study provides the first estimates of MMB using two definitions of the mesopelagic zone: standard (200–1000 m depths) and variable depth. Global MMB was estimated between 0.20 and 0.91 PgC, depending on the method. High biomass values were common in regions with intermediate rarity values and high species richness coupled with high POC stocks. Surface and mesopelagic biomass spatial patterns were consistent, and the epipelagic/mesopelagic biomass ratio depended on mesopelagic zone depth, suggesting a higher MMB than previously observed.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96105-4MesopelagicTwilight zoneZooplanktonBiomassDiversityGlobal |
| spellingShingle | Yulia Egorova Gabriel Reygondeau William W. L. Cheung Evgeny A. Pakhomov Global estimate of mesopelagic mesozooplankton biomass Scientific Reports Mesopelagic Twilight zone Zooplankton Biomass Diversity Global |
| title | Global estimate of mesopelagic mesozooplankton biomass |
| title_full | Global estimate of mesopelagic mesozooplankton biomass |
| title_fullStr | Global estimate of mesopelagic mesozooplankton biomass |
| title_full_unstemmed | Global estimate of mesopelagic mesozooplankton biomass |
| title_short | Global estimate of mesopelagic mesozooplankton biomass |
| title_sort | global estimate of mesopelagic mesozooplankton biomass |
| topic | Mesopelagic Twilight zone Zooplankton Biomass Diversity Global |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96105-4 |
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