Modelling the impact of zooplankton grazing on phytoplankton biomass during a dinoflagellate bloom in the Swan River Estuary, Western Australia

Ingestion rates of zooplankton were measured in the Swan River Estuary and in the laboratory. These data were used together with data from the literat ure on phytoplankton and zooplankton physiological parameters, to provide i nput data to a model of phytoplankton and zooplankton dynamics in the Swan River Estuary. The model also used measured environmental data (nutrient co ncentrations, light, water temperature and salinity) to simulate phytoplank ton biomass (differentiated as four groups) and zooplankton biomass (differ entiated as three size classes) at a site in the Swan River Estuary. Zoopla nkton grazing was shown to be highly important in attenuating a dinoflagell ate bloom that occurred over a 3-week model simulation period. (C) 2001 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.