Environmental Drivers and Long-Term Dynamics of Copepod Communities in the Black Sea: Contrasts Between Warm and Cold Periods
Abstract
Copepods are key components of marine food webs, linking primary producers such as microalgae to higher trophic levels, including many fish species. This study investigates long-term changes in the composition, density, and biomass of copepod communities along the Romanian coast of the Black Sea over six decades (1956–2015), based on historical records and recent monitoring from 18 sampling stations. Mean copepod density declined markedly over the study period, particularly during the cold season, decreasing from values exceeding 1000 ind/m3 in the 1960s to
Fields of Study & Subjects
Marine and fisheries research
Marine Biology and Ecology Research
Marine and coastal ecosystems
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Biology
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 184–184
- Publication date
- 19 January 2026
- Language
- EN