The ecology of plankton in Scottish coastal waters

Although Scottish coastal waters include a variety of pelagic environments, there is little evidence of site-specific flora or fauna. Planktonic assemblages are, however, locally more diverse than expected. If this excess diversity is a result of ever-changing conditions, the composition of microplanktonic associations may be largely decided by chance. Explanations based on niche theory seem to apply convincingly only to the larger, semi-nektonic, pelagic crustaceans. Conservation of species is impractical if accident plays a large part in recruitment and replacement. Conversely, the dispersive nature of the pelagic environment and the weakness of interspecific relations may lessen the sensitivity of plankton to anthropogenic perturbations. Nevertheless, eutrophication and climatic change can disturb pelagic communities, especially in enclosed waters. -from Author