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Kuroshio extension-driven variability in spring zooplankton community structure and function.
Ruping Ge1, Jinao Xuan2, Xinxin Wang2
1Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, 266237, China.
Marine Environmental Research
|September 30, 2025
Summary
The Kuroshio Extension (KE) significantly alters zooplankton communities in the North Pacific, creating distinct structures and functions between northern and southern waters. Coastal species advected by the KE, like Penilia avirostris, become dominant, impacting marine food webs.
Area of Science:
- Marine Ecology
- Oceanography
- Zooplankton Community Structure
Background:
- The Kuroshio Extension (KE) region experiences significant hydrological changes, yet zooplankton community research is limited.
- Understanding zooplankton is crucial for comprehending marine food web dynamics and biogeochemical cycling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of the Kuroshio Extension (KE) on zooplankton community structure and function in eastern Japan's open waters.
- To analyze how the KE influences species distribution, abundance, and functional groups of zooplankton.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of zooplankton communities in different water masses influenced by the KE (Oyashio, North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, Kuroshio-Oyashio mixing water).
- Assessment of zooplankton abundance, species richness, and functional group composition.
- Identification of key species and their roles in altered community structures.
Main Results:
- The KE creates a strong barrier, leading to significant differences in zooplankton structure between northern and southern regions.
- Oyashio regions showed high abundance/low richness; North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG) regions showed lower abundance/higher richness; Kuroshio-Oyashio mixing water (KOMW) had maximum species richness.
- Advection by the KE introduced coastal species, notably Penilia avirostris, which became dominant in KE and KOMW regions, altering functional group composition.
Conclusions:
- The KE profoundly impacts zooplankton community structure and function by hindering water exchange and advecting coastal species.
- Distinct zooplankton assemblages exist north and south of the KE, with KOMW acting as a biodiversity hotspot.
- This study provides critical insights into marine food web dynamics and biogeochemical processes within the KE and adjacent waters.
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