Long-term abundance dynamics of coastal zooplankton in the Gulf of Riga

The dynamics of three most abundant mesozooplankton species in the coastal zone of the Gulf of Riga - Bosmina longispina, Synchaeta baltica, Keratella quadrata - is analyzed to detect the regulating environmental factors. The only significant downward trend of species abundance was found for S. baltica in autumn. Statistically significant correlation was estimated only between the summer salinity and the abundance of B. longispina. K. quadrata though showed a negative correlation with summer salinity. The abundance of S. baltica had only nonsignificant correlations with the environmental factors. The abundance of coastal mesozooplankton species is determined by the combination of hydrological regime, predation pressure, benthic conditions and the success of living strategy. The change of fresh- and saline water masses at the coastal areas supplies sufficient food amount but can cause decline in hatching abilities. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.