Zooplankton production in the Bay of Quinte 1975–2008: relationships with primary production, habitat, planktivory, and aquatic invasive species (Dreissena spp. and Cercopagis pengoi)

• Published in: Canadian journal of fisheries and aquatic sciences Vol. 69; no. 12; pp. 2046 - 2063
• Main Authors: JOHANNSSON, Ora E, BOWEN, Kelly L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa, ON NRC Research Press 01.12.2012; National Research Council of Canada; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biological productivity; Environmental aspects; Exploitation and management of natural biological resources (hunting, fishing and exploited populations survey, etc.); Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Habitats; Invertebrates; Lakes; Mollusca; Mollusks; Nonnative species; Phosphorus; Plankton; Predation; Predation (Biology); Zooplankton; Canada; Lake Ontario; Canada, Ontario, Ontario L., Quinte Bay; Aquatic environment; Invasive species; Primary productivity; Bivalvia; Habitat; Bay; Invertebrata; Mollusca; Zooplankton
• ISSN: 0706-652X; 1205-7533
• DOI: 10.1139/cjfas-2012-0162

The Bay of Quinte, a long, shallow, high-phosphorus system in Lake Ontario, spans a trophic range from eutrophic (upper Bay) to meso-oligotrophic (mouth). Phosphorus control (PC) and the invasion of dreissenid mussels and Cercopagis pengoi have influenced its biology and environment. We elucidated the principal drivers behind zooplankton production in the Bay from pre-PC times to the present (1975–2008). Production of abundant species was calculated using the egg-ratio method. Production estimates were improved by determining system-specific production/biomass (P/B) relationships for rarer species. Planktivory governed zooplankton production initially, likely preventing a response to PC. With changes in the fish community, zooplankton production increased. Thereafter, the principal drivers were the structure and size of the fish community, shifts in the predatory arena associated with changing light penetration, temperature, and addition of C. pengoi — all within a general context of nutrient availability. Dreissenid impacts were indirect. Interactive variables combining measures of predation, nutrient level, light, and temperature were the best at accounting for variability in zooplankton production.