L. D'Croz et al., Cross-shelf distribution of nutrients, plankton, and fish larvae in the San Bias Archipelago, Caribbean Panama, REV BIOL TR, 47(1-2), 1999, pp. 203-215
To investigate possible seasonal patterns in water quality and plankton dis
tribution, weekly samples were collected in a coral reef lagoon and in surr
ounding nearshore waters over a two year period. Additionally, two oceanogr
aphic surveys were also conducted in a larger area surrounding the primary
study site during the seasonal extremes. The resulting information corrobor
ated previous observations that this area is as an oligotrophic environment
. The larger-scale sampling revealed seasonal variation in cross-shelf grad
ients in plankton, fish-egg and larval densities that are probably related
to the strong onshore winds that are typically present during the dry seaso
n. Although some limited nutrient enrichment occurs in parts of the nearsho
re area during the rainy season, the highest plankton density and biomass w
ere recorded in shallow nearshore waters during the windy dry season. Larva
e of numerous fish taxa were collected in these nearshore areas during the
dry season, suggesting seasonal aggregation. During the rainy season, fish
larvae were spread more evenly across the shelf and into nearshelf waters.