IMIS

This dataset, consisting of 1024 abundance observations representing 40 terminal taxa was obtained from the Point Barrow Area of the Chukchi Sea 1972. Abundances, where applicable, are a mean from two replicate samples. The temporal variability in abundance, composition, and production of an arctic-marine inshore zooplankton community was investigated near Point Barrow, Alaska from May through August, 1972. Significant temporal differences (P < 0.05) in population abundance over the summer were noted for 29 of 30 species. Changes in community composition resulted from the summer intrusion of Bering Sea water into the study area; southern copepods were observed during July and August. This intrusion imposes a temperature regime favorable for the rapid development and high production of meroplankton, particularly barnacle larvae. The meroplankters were largely responsible for creating a more diverse and productive community that that occurring in the epipelagic zone of the central arctic. Extensive recruitment of meroplankton was correlated with periods of high phytoplankton standing stock. Community dry weight ranged from 4 to 41 mg/m3, with the maximum occurring under the ice in late July one week after the phytoplankton bloom.