Variation of zooplankton abundance and species composition at monitoring station in Vung Tau, 2006-2010.

Abstract

Zooplankton data from Vung Tau monitoring station was analyzed for variation in species composition and density during period of 2006-2010. 91 species of zooplankton were recorded belonging to 16 groups. Group of Copepods was dominant with 60 species (occupied 65%). Species number in dry season and at bottom layer was higher than that in rainy season and at surface layer. The Bray - Curtis similarity index of species composition of the zooplankton in 2006 was lower than that in other years (55%). The similarity index in periods of 2007-2010 was higher and varied from 65 - 75%. In rainy season, the similarity index of zooplankton in 2007 and 2009 was 100%. The average density of zooplankton in 5 years was 26,329 ± 27,503 inds.m-3. The average density was highest in 2007 (33,556 inds.m-3) and lowest in 2006 (8,857 inds.m-3). The average density in rainy season (32,312 ± 32,531 inds.m-3) was greater than 2 times compared to that in dry season and the average density at the bottom (36,401 ± 30,243 inds.m-3) was higher than 3 times compared to that at surface layer.