Zooplankton community structure in a highly turbid environment (Charente estuary, France): Spatio-temporal patterns and environmental control

摘要: Abstract Zooplankton assemblages were studied from January 2007 to 2008 along the salinity gradient of Charente estuary (France). A Lagrangian survey was performed monthly at five sampling stations defined by (freshwater, 0.5, 5, 15 and 25) in order collect zooplankton measure main environmental parameters (concentrations suspended particulate matter, organic carbon, chlorophyll a phaeopigments). combination multivariate cluster analysis, species indicator index canonical correspondence analysis used relate spatio-temporal patterns with drivers. The divided into three different zones means while four identified gradient. appeared as one most turbid systems Europe, matter (SPM) concentration reaching 3.5 g l −1 Maximum Turbidity Zone (MTZ). Algal heterotrophy microphytobenthos resuspension wide mudflats could be responsible for relatively high concentrations measured within this MTZ. Salinity SPM affected significantly spatial distribution temperature river flow seemed control their temporal variations. From zooplanktonic viewpoint, highly match an “ecotone–ecocline” model: succession matched concept ecocline MTZ, which is stressful narrow area, considered ecotone. Although such ecoclinal characteristics general feature estuarine biocenoses, ecotone more system-specific biological compartment-specific.