Influence of Zooplankton Community Composition on Copepod Diel Vertical Migration in Hood Canal

Abstract

This study observed zooplankton community composition alongside copepod diel vertical migration patterns in order to make conclusions about the relationship between these two factors. Data on zooplankton community, diel vertical migration, and water column properties were collected from two sample locations within the Hood Canal Basin of Puget Sound. By comparing these two stations it was observed that more dramatic DVM patterns are correlated to water columns where more copepod predators are present. This is likely due to the increased need for avoidant behavior by copepods in order to survive in water columns with a higher risk of mortality as a result of predation. In addition, environmental conditions such as depth, water column stability, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll are hypothesized to aid in habitat selection and are significant factors in influencing the community composition of the zooplankton community as a whole