Analysis of zooplankton species composition and depth-based habitat preference in Nootka Sound, B.C., Canada

Senior thesis written for Oceanography 445

[author abstract] The composition and abundances of zooplankton were studied in Nootka Sound, an estuarine fjord in British Columbia, Canada in winter 2014. Net tows were conducted at ten stations with varying water column depth and analyzed for composition, diversity and organism size. Diversity did not vary with depth, however, organism size showed a distinct and significant pattern with depth. A higher proportion of small copepods were found at stations with shallower depth. Depth is a factor in habitat preference, and is most likely associated with visibility to predators.

University of Washington School of Oceanography