Long-term investigation of the distribution of Eurytemora affinis (Calanoida; Copepoda) in the Elbe Estuary
Peitsch, A.; Köpcke, B.; Bernat, N. (2000). Long-term investigation of the distribution of Eurytemora affinis (Calanoida; Copepoda) in the Elbe Estuary. Limnologica 30(2): 175-182
In: Limnologica. ELSEVIER GMBH, URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG: München. ISSN 0075-9511; e-ISSN 1873-5851, more
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| Keywords |
Marine/Coastal; Brackish water |
| Authors | | Top |
- Peitsch, A.
- Köpcke, B.
- Bernat, N.
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| Abstract |
The seasonal and longitudinal distribution of the copepod Eurytemora affinis in the Elbe Estuary was studied using long-term data from 1986 to 1994. At an anchor station in the oligohaline zone of the estuary maximum abundance was always found between April and the beginning of June, but maximum numbers showed high interannual variations. During longitudinal sampling maximum abundance of Eurytemora affinis was found at different geographical positions between the city of Hamburg (km 630) and the North Sea (km 720). Variation in temperature and salinity could not sufficiently explain the observed differences in distribution patterns of Eurytemora affinis. River discharge turned out to be the most important factor controlling the geographical position of maximum abundance within the estuary. The observed distributions along the axis of the river suggest that the main habitat of the copepod is located in the freshwater region of the estuary near Hamburg. The position of maximum abundance is located more downstream during periods of high river discharge and more upstream during periods of lower discharge rates. |
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