Phytoplankton–zooplankton relations in three inland seas along the Qatari coast (Arabian Gulf)

Abstract

Phytoplankton and zooplankton community structures and abundance were studied in three inland seas around Qatar, two along the eastern coast and one along the northwestern coast. Despite some irregularities, the direct relationship between phytoplankton and zooplankton in both seasons indicates that despite of the oligotrophic nature of the inland seas and consequently the low diversity of species, the zooplankton community density is dependent, with different magnitudes, on the density of the phytoplankton community. Multiple regression analysis indicated that at the time where permissible pollution limits were not exceeded, salinity is the main factor controlling zooplankton distribution in the inland seas, followed by phytoplankton.