Spatial and temporal variability in the pelagic ecosystem of the East Sea (Sea of Japan): A review

• Published in: Journal of marine systems Vol. 78; no. 2; pp. 288 - 300
• Main Authors: Lee, Jae-Young, Kang, Dong-Jin, Kim, Il-Nam, Rho, Taekeun, Lee, Tongsup, Kang, Chang-Keun, Kim, Kyung-Ryul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2009
• Subjects: Climatic regime shift; East Sea (Sea of Japan); Fisheries; Marine; Pelagic ecosystem; Primary production; Subpolar Front; Zooplankton community; INW, Japan Sea; Pelagic ecosystem; Subpolar Front; Climatic regime shift; East Sea (Sea of Japan); Zooplankton community; Fisheries; Primary production
• ISSN: 0924-7963; 1879-1573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2009.02.013

The East Sea (Sea of Japan) is a unique marginal sea because it exhibits features of oceanic dynamics of much larger ocean basins. This semi-enclosed basin may be considered as a model or microcosm for understanding of how biological processes and distributions in pelagic ecosystem are interacting with physical processes in highly dynamic ocean regions. This overview summarizes the recent progresses concerning spatial and temporal variability of pelagic ecosystem components form an interdisciplinary point of view. Spatial characteristics of physical environments and biogeography in the region are distinguished mainly by the subpolar front. It was also found that long-term changes in biomass and community structure as well as those in the physical and biological environments are associated with climate variability in the region. We conclude by identifying main needs for the information and researches, particularly regular and long-term sampling, and permanent monitoring if possible.