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Plankton Community in Marine Ecological Environment: Latest Advances and Prospects
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Plankton Community in Marine Ecological Environment: Latest Advances and Prospects

A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2025 | Viewed by 4938

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yongsik Sin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Environmental Engineering & Biotechnology, Mokpo National Maritime University, Mokpo, Republic of Korea
Interests: estuarine ecology focusing phytoplankton and nutrient dynamics; systems analysis-ecological modeling
Prof. Dr. Genuario Belmonte

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Zoogeography and Fauna, DiSTeBA (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies), University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: plankton ecology; resurrection ecology; neuston; hyperbenthos; Copepoda Calanoida (freshwater and marine); zoogeography; submarine caves; aquariums and museums
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The marine environment has recently experienced anthropogenic change such as global warming and engineering structure disturbance. Response of plankton that support marine resources are sensitive to this change and can serve as bio-indicators of marine systems' water quality and biotic integrity. In addition, plankton interact with each other actively in the marine food webs, and their interactions need to be defined to better understand plankton dynamics. This Special Issue aims to publish research focused on the taxonomic structure and ecology of plankton encompassing phyto-, zoo-plankton, heterotrophic bacteria, and protozoa at the levels from molecular to holistic ecosystem in the marine environment. Investigation of interaction between plankton themselves under natural or anthropogenic conditions is encouraged. Studies using molecular, stable isotopes and modeling analyses are especially encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Yongsik Sin
Prof. Dr. Genuario Belmonte
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • bio-indicators
  • planktonic interaction
  • molecular
  • stable isotope
  • ecological modeling
  • marine food webs

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 5557 KiB  
Article
The Phytoplankton Community Exhibited Restored Species Diversity but Fragile Network Stability Under Potential Sustainable Aquaculture Approach of Marine Ranching
by Dongqun Wei, Zeping Xie, Jialin Li, Diansheng Ji, Lin Qu, Baoquan Li, Xiao Wei and Song Qin
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(5), 835; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13050835 - 23 Apr 2025
Viewed by 265
Abstract
Mariculture is currently experiencing rapid growth in response to the rising global food demand, while simultaneously posing significant challenges to environmental issues, such as pollution stress and ecological degradation. To achieve a balance between ecosystem maintenance and seafood supply, marine ranching has flourished [...] Read more.
Mariculture is currently experiencing rapid growth in response to the rising global food demand, while simultaneously posing significant challenges to environmental issues, such as pollution stress and ecological degradation. To achieve a balance between ecosystem maintenance and seafood supply, marine ranching has flourished as a sustainable approach through the implementation of artificial reef construction, stock enhancement, and strategic releasing. However, few studies have evaluated the ecological impacts through a comparison of in situ survey data across geographical areas. Phytoplankton are vital organisms in marine ecosystems that function as essential indicators of seawater quality and biological diversity, reflecting environmental health and ecological sustainability. In this study, we investigated the species diversity, community structure, and co-occurrence network of phytoplankton based on 175 samples collected from 75 sites encompassing all 26 marine ranching seawater areas, along with their corresponding surrounding areas in Yantai’s coastal sea. A total of 112 species were identified across three phyla of diatoms, dinoflagellates, and chrysophytes; among them, diatoms dominated the community with a notably high proportion of 98.83%. Their diversity and structure exhibited significant variations across different seasons and geographic locations. Moreover, no preference was observed between the marine ranching seawater and the surrounding areas. Nevertheless, a co-occurrence network analysis demonstrated that lower values for average degree, clustering coefficient, and average path length were exhibited in marine ranching, indicating that aquaculture activities have reduced connectivity among potential interactions. Additionally, it showed reduced stability as indicated by the remaining nodes and the natural connectivity indices, regardless of the proportion of nodes removed. These findings illustrate that while marine ranching processes can mitigate species losses with maintaining phytoplankton community structure, they still alter association among species and reduce overall stability. This research recommends that scientifically informed expansion of marine ranching necessitates robust environmental monitoring datasets and systematic validation to ensure holistic sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plankton Community in Marine Ecological Environment: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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43 pages, 20613 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Black Sea Mesozooplankton Community Following the Nova Kakhovka Dam Breach
by Elena Bisinicu and Luminita Lazar
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(1), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13010067 - 2 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 871
Abstract
In June 2023, following the breach of the Nova Kakhovka Dam during the Ukraine-Russia war, a comprehensive study was conducted along the Romanian Black Sea coast to assess water quality and mesozooplankton communities. Surface water analyses revealed significant gradients in nutrient levels and [...] Read more.
In June 2023, following the breach of the Nova Kakhovka Dam during the Ukraine-Russia war, a comprehensive study was conducted along the Romanian Black Sea coast to assess water quality and mesozooplankton communities. Surface water analyses revealed significant gradients in nutrient levels and salinity, particularly from north to south, influenced by the influx of freshwater and nutrients from riverine sources and the dam breach. Flooding was found to significantly impact nutrient dynamics and species distributions, with increased concentrations of SiO4 and NO3 in flooded stations. A strong relationship was observed between environmental factors and biological assemblages, with silicates identified as a key driver. Biodiversity patterns varied across regions, with the Shannon–Wiener Index indicating lower zooplankton diversity in transitional waters, reflecting environmental stress. Statistical methods, including correlation analysis, multidimensional scaling, t-tests, and canonical analysis, were employed to investigate the links between mesozooplankton communities and environmental variables. These findings underscore disruptions in trophic dynamics and ecosystem balance, emphasizing the need for integrated environmental management strategies to mitigate further degradation and foster the ecological recovery of the Black Sea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plankton Community in Marine Ecological Environment: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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28 pages, 6240 KiB  
Article
The Contribution of Siliceous Plankton to Vertical Export Flux in the Eastern Mediterranean: A Comparative Study of the North Aegean, Cretan, and Ionian Seas
by Ioanna Nikolopoulou, Elisavet Skampa, Ioanna Varkitzi, Margarita D. Dimiza, Constantine Parinos, Georgia Kambouri, Ioanna Stavrakaki, Alexandra Gogou and Maria V. Triantaphyllou
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(11), 2084; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12112084 - 18 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1006
Abstract
This study investigates the intricate dynamics of siliceous plankton species within the open marine regions of the Greek Seas, focusing on their seasonal and spatial variability. For this purpose, vertical export fluxes of diatoms (DtF), silicoflagellates (SF), and radiolaria (RF) were analyzed in [...] Read more.
This study investigates the intricate dynamics of siliceous plankton species within the open marine regions of the Greek Seas, focusing on their seasonal and spatial variability. For this purpose, vertical export fluxes of diatoms (DtF), silicoflagellates (SF), and radiolaria (RF) were analyzed in three sediment trap time series obtained from the North Aegean, Cretan, and Ionian Seas. Special attention was given to diatom assemblages, resulting in the estimation of the DtF community structure and diversity for each studied site. Diatom flux values reached 353.9 × 103 valves m−2 day−1, 77.7 × 103 valves m−2 day−1, and 42.4 × 103 valves m−2 day−1 in the North Aegean, Ionian, and Cretan Seas, respectively. SF maxima were 1309.8 × 103 skeletons m−2 day−1 in the North Aegean Sea, 35.2 × 103 skeletons m−2 day−1 in the Ionian Sea, and 11.9 × 103 skeletons m−2 day−1 in the Cretan Sea (South Aegean Sea). RF values reached 13.9 × 103 radiolaria m−2 day−1, 11.9 × 103 radiolaria m−2 day−1, and 5.4 × 103 radiolaria m−2 day−1 in the North Aegean, Ionian, and Cretan Seas, respectively. The North Aegean Sea exhibited significantly higher mean total fluxes, particularly for diatoms, driven by the north-to-south oligotrophy gradient, which was influenced by riverine inflows and the nutrient-rich Black Sea water. In the Cretan and Ionian Seas, convective mixing and atmospheric deposition, especially during increased rainfall (precipitation) events, were identified as primary drivers for the increased siliceous plankton fluxes recorded in the late winter–spring months. Diatom communities were dominated by Naviculales and Fragilariales; the prevalence of the former in the North Aegean Sea is likely linked to the higher nutrient levels in its upper photic zone, as Naviculales includes species with a high affiliation to nutrient enrichment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plankton Community in Marine Ecological Environment: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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14 pages, 1897 KiB  
Article
Plankton Resting Stages Distribution in Bottom Sediments along the Confinement Gradient of the Taranto Sea System (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy)
by Fernando Rubino, Giuseppe Denti, Manuela Belmonte and Genuario Belmonte
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(9), 1653; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12091653 - 14 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1017
Abstract
The abundance distribution and species richness of encysted plankton have been investigated in the bottom sediments of the Taranto Marine System (southern Italy) for contributing to the understanding of plankton dynamics in a confined coastal area. This confined area is characterized by four [...] Read more.
The abundance distribution and species richness of encysted plankton have been investigated in the bottom sediments of the Taranto Marine System (southern Italy) for contributing to the understanding of plankton dynamics in a confined coastal area. This confined area is characterized by four contiguous basins with different degrees of confinement. The investigation was carried out in the fall season with the aim to intercept a period of rich cyst production from the plankton before overwintering. From the analysis of a total of 36 sediment samples, from 12 sample sites, the highest abundance of cysts and species richness were registered in the confined part of the system. A total of 103 cyst morphotypes have been recognized in the whole area, with highest abundances and taxa richness in the most confined stations. These results, suggesting a benthic-pelagic exchange of living matter, more intense in confined environments than in the open sea, highlight the necessity of (i) including the analysis of sediment cyst banks in studies of plankton dynamics, and (ii) to consider the role of confined areas, where the variability of environmental conditions favours a higher planktonic biodiversity in the sediments than in the water column. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plankton Community in Marine Ecological Environment: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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23 pages, 4962 KiB  
Article
Tidal Impacts on Zooplankton Dynamics in a Major Ocean-Lagoon Channel: Insights from a 25-Hour Intensive Survey in the Cotonou Channel, Benin
by Hervé Hotèkpo Akodogbo, Fridolin Ubald Dossou-Sognon, François Talomonwo Ouinsou, Thalasse Tchémangnihodé Avocegan, Junior Patric Kouglo, Olaègbè Victor Okpeitcha, Arnaud Assogba, Zacharie Sohou, Yves Morel and Alexis Chaigneau
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(9), 1519; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12091519 - 2 Sep 2024
Viewed by 952
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of tidal cycles on the zooplankton community within the Cotonou Channel, an important waterway connecting the large Nokoué Lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean in Benin. From the determination of zooplankton composition from 25-hour samples collected in July 2020, [...] Read more.
This study investigates the effects of tidal cycles on the zooplankton community within the Cotonou Channel, an important waterway connecting the large Nokoué Lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean in Benin. From the determination of zooplankton composition from 25-hour samples collected in July 2020, alpha diversity indices and abundance were assessed, while relationships between biotic and abiotic parameters were analyzed through Pearson correlation, analysis of variance, and principal component analysis. A total of 66 zooplankton taxa were identified, with rotifers exhibiting the highest species richness (35 taxa), while copepods dominated in abundance (71%). Zooplankton abundance varied significantly, ranging from 2 to 95 ind L−1 depending on the tidal phase. A negative correlation was found between species richness (r = −0.51, p < 0.01) and increasing salinity (3–37), indicating that higher salinity reduced diversity (r = 0.06, p > 0.05). Resilient species like Synchaeta bicornis persisted despite salinity changes. The tidal cycle structurally altered the zooplankton community, with abundance and diversity peaking at different phases, notably higher at high tide (15 ind L−1.) These initial findings underscore the complex interactions between tidal dynamics and estuarine biodiversity, suggesting the need for further research across different tidal and seasonal conditions to inform effective management and conservation efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plankton Community in Marine Ecological Environment: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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