Indication of Possible Shifts in Copepod Species Composition in St. Pauls Inlet, a Fjordal Estuary Connected to the Gulf of St. Lawrence

A significant shift in copepod species composition has been observed in St. Pauls Inlet, a fjordal estuary within Gros Morne National Park, Canada. Research indicates that the abundance of Calanus finmarchicus, a large energy-rich copepod, has declined or disappeared entirely, while smaller, warm-water copepods have become more prevalent. This shift correlates with rising sea-surface temperatures in the Atlantic and may reflect broader changes in the Northwest Atlantic zooplankton community. The study analyzed data from surveys conducted in 1977/78, 2009, 2010, and 2019, revealing lower adult microcrustacean densities in recent years. Despite limited exchange with the Gulf of St. Lawrence, these changes suggest that St. Pauls Inlet could serve as an indicator of environmental shifts in coastal ecosystems.

Stevens, E. N., & Campbell, C. E. (2022). Indication of Possible Shifts in Copepod Species Composition in St. Pauls Inlet, a Fjordal Estuary Connected to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Diversity, 14(1), 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/d14010059