Integrated Ecosystem Assessments for Fisheries Management in the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the East/Japan Sea

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2022) | Viewed by 31576

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Department of Oceanography, Pusan National University, Busan 46700, Republic of Korea
Interests: primary production; phytoplankton physiology; marine ecosystem; Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems; sea ice algae
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Guest Editor
Oceanic Climate & Ecology Research Division, National Institute of Fisheries Science, Busan, Korea
Interests: phytoplankton; zooplankton; marine ecosystem; ecosystem-based fisheries management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Marine environmental conditions are very distinct in the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the East/Japan Sea—shallow and turbid conditions in the Yellow Sea, relatively warm subtropical conditions in the East China Sea, and deep and semi-enclosed in the East/Japan Sea. Physicochemical properties and, subsequently, biological characteristics are different among the three seas. In recent decades, dramatic changes in physical structure and vertical distribution of chemical properties have been reported in the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the East/Japan Sea. These recent environmental changes have greatly affected the physiological status, community structure, and bloom pattern of phytoplankton and thus consequently altered seasonal distributions and nutritional status of higher trophic levels such as zooplankton, fish, and marine mammals. However, we do not know much about the current status of the marine ecosystems in these three distinct seas to date. Since 2018, integrated ecosystem assessments for ecosystem-based fisheries management have been implemented in the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the East/Japan Sea. This Special Issue will provide basic information regarding the current status of marine ecosystems and an important background for future monitoring of marine ecosystem response to ongoing climate changes in the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and East/Japan Sea.

Prof. Dr. Sang Heon Lee
Dr. Seok-Hyun Youn
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Ecosystem assessments
  • Fisheries management
  • Yellow Sea
  • East China Sea
  • East Sea

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 171 KiB  
Editorial
Integrated Ecosystem Assessments for Fisheries Management in the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the East/Japan Sea
by Sang Heon Lee and Seok-Hyun Youn
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2023, 11(4), 845; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11040845 - 17 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1010
Abstract
Marine environmental conditions are highly distinct in the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the East/Japan Sea, with characteristics such as the shallow and turbid conditions of the Yellow Sea, relatively warm subtropical conditions of the East China Sea, and deep and [...] Read more.
Marine environmental conditions are highly distinct in the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the East/Japan Sea, with characteristics such as the shallow and turbid conditions of the Yellow Sea, relatively warm subtropical conditions of the East China Sea, and deep and semi-enclosed nature of the East/Japan Sea [...] Full article

Research

Jump to: Editorial

16 pages, 3323 KiB  
Article
Influences of Seasonal Variability and Potential Diets on Stable Isotopes and Fatty Acid Compositions in Dominant Zooplankton in the East Sea, Korea
by Jieun Kim, Hee-Young Yun, Eun-Ji Won, Hyuntae Choi, Seok-Hyeon Youn and Kyung-Hoon Shin
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(11), 1768; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10111768 - 17 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1636
Abstract
Despite their crucial roles in transporting primary productions in marine food webs, the trophic dynamics of zooplankton throughout the seasons have rarely been studied. In this study, four dominant zooplankton taxa with phytoplankton size composition and productivity were collected over four seasons in [...] Read more.
Despite their crucial roles in transporting primary productions in marine food webs, the trophic dynamics of zooplankton throughout the seasons have rarely been studied. In this study, four dominant zooplankton taxa with phytoplankton size composition and productivity were collected over four seasons in the East Sea, which is known to change more rapidly than global trends. We then analyzed the δ13C and δ15N values and fatty acid composition of zooplankton. The heavy δ13C values in February and August 2021 were observed with high concentrations of total chlorophyll-a, and the δ13C differences among the four zooplankton taxa in the coastal region (site 105-05) were most pronounced in February 2021. The relative amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5(n-3)) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6(n-3)), indicators of phytoplankton nutritional quality, were also highest in February 2021. Non-metric multivariate analyses showed dissimilarity among zooplankton taxa during the high productivity period based on chlorophyll-a concentrations (51.6%), which may be due to an increase in available foods during the highly productive season. In conclusion, the dietary intake of zooplankton can be reduced by the transition of phytoplankton, which has important implications for the impact of climate change on planktonic ecosystems in the East Sea. Full article
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12 pages, 3464 KiB  
Article
Response of Spatial and Temporal Variations in the Kuroshio Current to Water Column Structure in the Western Part of the East Sea
by Chung-Il Lee, Yong-Woo Jung and Hae-Kun Jung
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(11), 1703; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10111703 - 9 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1726
Abstract
Using geographic sea surface current data, long-term changes in spatial and temporal variations in the Kuroshio Current 1993–2021 were analyzed, and the relationship between the Kuroshio Current and oceanic conditions, such as water column structure and intensity of East Korea Warm Current (EKWC) [...] Read more.
Using geographic sea surface current data, long-term changes in spatial and temporal variations in the Kuroshio Current 1993–2021 were analyzed, and the relationship between the Kuroshio Current and oceanic conditions, such as water column structure and intensity of East Korea Warm Current (EKWC) in the western part of the East Sea (WES), was investigated. Long-term changes in the Kuroshio Current intensity were positively correlated with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and East Asian Winter Monsoon indices. When the Kuroshio Current was strong, its main axis passing around the Ryukyu Islands moved eastward, and the intensity of EKWC separated from the Kuroshio Current and flowed into the WES, indicating weakened conditions. When the intensity of the EKWC was weakened, its main axis moved away from the inshore area of the WES. As a result, the vertical distribution range of the cold and low saline water mass located in the bottom layer extended to shallower depths in the inshore area of the WES with increasing chlorophyll-a. Full article
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14 pages, 3217 KiB  
Article
Estimation of Phytoplankton Size Classes in the Littoral Sea of Korea Using a New Algorithm Based on Deep Learning
by Jae Joong Kang, Hyun Ju Oh, Seok-Hyun Youn, Youngmin Park, Euihyun Kim, Hui Tae Joo and Jae Dong Hwang
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(10), 1450; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10101450 - 7 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1566
Abstract
The size of phytoplankton (a key primary producer in marine ecosystems) is known to influence the contribution of primary productivity and the upper trophic level of the food web. Therefore, it is essential to identify the dominant sizes of phytoplankton while inferring the [...] Read more.
The size of phytoplankton (a key primary producer in marine ecosystems) is known to influence the contribution of primary productivity and the upper trophic level of the food web. Therefore, it is essential to identify the dominant sizes of phytoplankton while inferring the responses of marine ecosystems to change in the marine environment. However, there are few studies on the spatio-temporal variations in the dominant sizes of phytoplankton in the littoral sea of Korea. This study utilized a deep learning model as a classification algorithm to identify the dominance of different phytoplankton sizes. To train the deep learning model, we used field measurements of turbidity, water temperature, and phytoplankton size composition (chlorophyll-a) in the littoral sea of Korea, from 2018 to 2020. The new classification algorithm from the deep learning model yielded an accuracy of 70%, indicating an improvement compared with the existing classification algorithms. The developed classification algorithm could be substituted in satellite ocean color data. This enabled us to identify spatio-temporal variation in phytoplankton size composition in the littoral sea of Korea. We consider this to be highly effective as fundamental data for identifying the spatio-temporal variation in marine ecosystems in the littoral sea of Korea. Full article
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13 pages, 2221 KiB  
Article
Seasonal Compositions of Size-Fractionated Surface Phytoplankton Communities in the Yellow Sea
by Yejin Kim, Seok-Hyun Youn, Hyun-Ju Oh, Huitae Joo, Hyo-Keun Jang, Jae-Joong Kang, Dabin Lee, Naeun Jo, Kwanwoo Kim, Sanghoon Park, Jaehong Kim and Sang-Heon Lee
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(8), 1087; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10081087 - 8 Aug 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2088
Abstract
Little information on the phytoplankton community in the Yellow Sea (YS)—especially size-fractionated phytoplankton—is currently available, in comparison to the various physicochemical studies in the literature. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), size-fractionated phytoplankton communities were seasonally investigated in the YS in 2019. In the [...] Read more.
Little information on the phytoplankton community in the Yellow Sea (YS)—especially size-fractionated phytoplankton—is currently available, in comparison to the various physicochemical studies in the literature. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), size-fractionated phytoplankton communities were seasonally investigated in the YS in 2019. In the study period, diatoms (55.0 ± 10.2%) and cryptophytes (16.9 ± 9.3%) were the dominant groups. Due to the recent alteration in inorganic nutrient conditions reported in the YS, the contribution of diatoms was lower than in previous studies. The large-sized phytoplankton group (>20 µm) was dominated mostly by diatoms (89.0 ± 10.6%), while the small-sized phytoplankton group (<20 µm) was also dominated by diatoms (41.9 ± 9.1%), followed by cryptophytes (19.2 ± 9.8%). The contributions of small-sized diatoms (<20 µm) have been overlooked in the past, as they are difficult to detect, but this study confirms significant amounts of small-sized diatoms, accounting for 62.3% of the total diatoms in the YS. This study provides an important background for assessing the seasonal variations in different-sized diatom groups in the YS. Further detailed studies on their potential ecological roles should be conducted, in order to better understand marine ecosystems under future warming scenarios. Full article
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14 pages, 3115 KiB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics of Copepods in the Water Masses of the Northeastern East China Sea
by Sang Su Shin, Seo Yeol Choi, Min Ho Seo, Seok Ju Lee, Ho Young Soh and Seok Hyun Youn
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(6), 754; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10060754 - 30 May 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2119
Abstract
To understand the effects of variable water masses in the northeastern East China Sea (Korea South Sea), planktonic copepods were seasonally sampled. Out of a total of 106 copepod species, 85 were oceanic warm-water species, and the number of species varied in summer, [...] Read more.
To understand the effects of variable water masses in the northeastern East China Sea (Korea South Sea), planktonic copepods were seasonally sampled. Out of a total of 106 copepod species, 85 were oceanic warm-water species, and the number of species varied in summer, autumn, spring, and winter. The study area was divided into two or three regions according to the degree of influence of the water masses. Canthocalanus pauper, Clausocalanus furcatus, Oithona plumifera, Oncaea venella, Oncaea venusta, and Paracalanus aculeatus showed a positive correlation with water temperature and salinity and were indicator species of warm currents. Calanus sinicus, known as an indicator species of the Yellow Sea Bottom Cold Water, showed a high abundance and occurrence ratio in the western sea of the study area from spring to autumn. Moreover, Acartia pacifica indicated the extension of coastal waters to offshore areas. Several oceanic warm-water species (A. danae, Centropages gracilis, Labidocera acuta, Rhincalanus nasutus, and Temoropia mayumbaensis) were considered indicator species of the Taiwan Warm Current. Our results suggest that the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of indicator species are partly explained by different water masses. Full article
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11 pages, 2148 KiB  
Article
Discovery of Pelagic Eggs of Two Species from the Rare Mesopelagic Fish Genus Trachipterus (Lampriformes: Trachipteridae)
by Hae-young Choi, Hee-chan Choi, Sung Kim, Hyun-ju Oh and Seok-hyun Youn
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(5), 637; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10050637 - 7 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1960
Abstract
The ecology of the mesopelagic fish genus Trachipterus, which is rarely found in oceans, remains unclear. In this study, we found 22 eggs of T. trachypterus and T. jacksonensis around the Ulleung Basin of the East/Japan Sea during ichthyoplankton surveys from 2019 [...] Read more.
The ecology of the mesopelagic fish genus Trachipterus, which is rarely found in oceans, remains unclear. In this study, we found 22 eggs of T. trachypterus and T. jacksonensis around the Ulleung Basin of the East/Japan Sea during ichthyoplankton surveys from 2019 to 2021. The eggs were identified through genetic relationships with the genus Trachipterus based on partial sequences (COI and 16S) or concatenated sequences of 13 protein-coding genes and 2 rRNA genes of mitochondrial DNA. T. trachypterus eggs were discovered in all seasons, but more frequently during the winter. One T. jacksonensis egg that appeared during the autumn was the first in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Identifying Trachipterus pelagic eggs would provide insight into their spawning ecology and biogeography. Full article
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15 pages, 2637 KiB  
Article
Geographic Differentiation of Morphological Characteristics in the Brown Seaweed Sargassum thunbergii along the Korean Coast: A Response to Local Environmental Conditions
by Sangil Kim, Sun Kyeong Choi, Seohyeon Van, Seong Taek Kim, Yun Hee Kang and Sang Rul Park
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(4), 549; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10040549 - 16 Apr 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3368
Abstract
Intraspecific variation in morphology is widespread among seaweed species in different habitats. We examined the morphological variation in Sargassum thunbergii involving diverse environmental factors. We quantified 16 morphological characteristics on 15 rocky intertidal shores in Korea. A cluster analysis based on morphology identified [...] Read more.
Intraspecific variation in morphology is widespread among seaweed species in different habitats. We examined the morphological variation in Sargassum thunbergii involving diverse environmental factors. We quantified 16 morphological characteristics on 15 rocky intertidal shores in Korea. A cluster analysis based on morphology identified three groups. Group M1 comprised populations on the northern part of the east coast, where the thalli was short and thick, with large leaf and air-vesicle. Group M3 consisted of populations on the west coast exclusively separated from other populations, with short, slender and sparsely branched thalli. Group M2 comprised populations on the southern part of the east coast and on the south coast (including Jeju Island), with longest thalli and lateral branches. Principal coordinate analyses showed that group M1 and M3 were mostly influenced by strong wave action and large tidal amplitudes, respectively. Group M2 were under the influence of warm temperatures and high irradiance. Biota-environment matching analysis showed that the morphology is affected by combinations of different local environmental factors and also that tidal condition is important as a single variable, suggesting that morphology of S. thunbergii reflects and adapts to local environmental conditions. Full article
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13 pages, 2163 KiB  
Article
Feeding Strategy of the Wild Korean Seahorse (Hippocampus haema)
by Myung-Joon Kim, Hyun-Woo Kim, Soo-Rin Lee, Na-Yeong Kim, Yoon-Ji Lee, Hui-Tae Joo, Seok-Nam Kwak and Sang-Heon Lee
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(3), 357; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10030357 - 3 Mar 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2323
Abstract
The feeding and spawning grounds for seahorses have been lost due to nationwide coastal developments in South Korea. However, little information on the feeding ecology of the Korean seahorse (Hippocampus haema) is currently available. The main objective in this study was [...] Read more.
The feeding and spawning grounds for seahorses have been lost due to nationwide coastal developments in South Korea. However, little information on the feeding ecology of the Korean seahorse (Hippocampus haema) is currently available. The main objective in this study was to understand the feeding strategy of H. haema on the basis of DNA analysis of the contents of the guts. This is the first study on the feeding ecology of H. haema. Crustaceans were found to be major prey for H. haema in this study. Among the 12 identified species, arthropods were predominantly observed as potential prey of H. haema in this study. The Caprella sp. Was detected in all summer specimens followed by the Ianiropsis sp., whereas isopods were dominant, and amphipods accounted for a small proportion in winter specimens. According to the results in this study, there appears to be a seasonal shift in the major prey of H. haema. Moreover, a potential change in the habitats for adults was further discussed. Since this is a pilot study, further studies should be conducted for a better understanding of the feeding ecology of H. haema. Full article
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16 pages, 8816 KiB  
Article
Effects of Miniaturization of the Summer Phytoplankton Community on the Marine Ecosystem in the Northern East China Sea
by Kyung-Woo Park, Hyun-Ju Oh, Su-Yeon Moon, Man-Ho Yoo and Seok-Hyun Youn
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(3), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10030315 - 23 Feb 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2074
Abstract
After the construction of the Three Gorges Dam (Changjiang River), the northern East China Sea has been exposed to major environmental changes in the summer due to climate change and freshwater control. However, little is known regarding phytoplankton in this area. Here, we [...] Read more.
After the construction of the Three Gorges Dam (Changjiang River), the northern East China Sea has been exposed to major environmental changes in the summer due to climate change and freshwater control. However, little is known regarding phytoplankton in this area. Here, we investigated differences in the summer phytoplankton-community structure as a consequence of marine-environment changes from 2016 to 2020. In the 2000s, the key dominant species in the summer phytoplankton community in the northern East China Sea were diatoms and dinoflagellates. In this study, however, nanoflagellates of ≤20 µm were identified as the dominant species throughout the survey period, with abundances ranging from 43.1 to 69.7%. This change in the phytoplankton-community structure may be ascribed to low nutrient concentrations in the area, especially phosphate, which was below the detection limit, seriously hampering phytoplankton growth. The relative contribution of picophytoplankton to the total chlorophyll a biomass was highest in the surface mixed layer with low nutrient concentrations. Spatially, higher percentages were observed along the east-side stations than the west-side stations, where nutrient concentrations were relatively high. Conclusively, decreased nutrients led to phytoplankton miniaturization. Accordingly, as the dominance of picophytoplankton increases, energy transfer is expected to decrease at the upper trophic level. Full article
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9 pages, 1599 KiB  
Article
The First Population Simulation for the Zalophus japonicus (Otariidae: Sea Lions) on Dokdo, Korea
by Yoon-Ji Lee, Giphil Cho, Sangil Kim, Inseo Hwang, Seong-Oh Im, Hye-Min Park, Na-Yeong Kim, Myung-Joon Kim, Dasom Lee, Seok-Nam Kwak and Sang-Heon Lee
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(2), 271; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10020271 - 15 Feb 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4663
Abstract
The Japanese sea lion (Z. japonicus) has been regarded as an extinct species since the last report on Dokdo in 1951. Not much ecological information on the Z. japonicus on Dokdo (hereafter Dokdo sea lion) is currently available. Using a discrete [...] Read more.
The Japanese sea lion (Z. japonicus) has been regarded as an extinct species since the last report on Dokdo in 1951. Not much ecological information on the Z. japonicus on Dokdo (hereafter Dokdo sea lion) is currently available. Using a discrete time stage-structured population model, we reconstructed the Dokdo sea lion population to explore the effect of human hunting pressure on them. This study provides the first estimate for the Dokdo sea lion population from 1900 to 1951. The reconstructed capture numbers of the Dokdo sea lion and the parameters estimated in this study were well matched with the recorded numbers and ecological parameters reported previously for the Californian sea lion. Based on the reconstructed population, their number rapidly declined after hunting started and it took less than 10 years for a 70% decline of the initial population, which would be considered to be an extinction risk. Since some caveats exist in this study, some caution about our results is necessary. However, this study demonstrates how rapidly human over-hunting can cause the extermination of a large local population. This study will be helpful to raise people’s awareness about endangered marine animals such as local finless porpoises in Korea. Full article
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14 pages, 5091 KiB  
Article
Spatial Distribution of Sound Scattering Layer and Density Estimation of Euphausia pacifica in the Center of the Yellow Sea Bottom Cold Water Determined by Hydroacoustic Surveying
by Hansoo Kim, Garam Kim, Mira Kim and Donhyug Kang
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10(1), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10010056 - 4 Jan 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1954
Abstract
The Yellow Sea Bottom Cold Water (YSBCW) refers to seawater with a water temperature of 10 °C or less found at the bottom of the center of the Yellow Sea. The spatiotemporal variability of the YSBCW directly affects the distribution of organisms in [...] Read more.
The Yellow Sea Bottom Cold Water (YSBCW) refers to seawater with a water temperature of 10 °C or less found at the bottom of the center of the Yellow Sea. The spatiotemporal variability of the YSBCW directly affects the distribution of organisms in the marine ecosystem. In this study, hydroacoustic and net surveys were conducted in April (spring) to understand the spatial distribution of the sound scattering layer (SSL) and estimate the density of Euphausia pacifica (E. pacifica) in the YSBCW. Despite the shallow water in the YSBCW region, E. pacifica formed an SSL, which was distributed near the bottom during the daytime; it showed a diel vertical migration (DVM) pattern of movement toward the surface during the nighttime. The mean upward and downward swimming speeds around sunset and sunrise were approximately 0.6 and 0.3–0.4 m/min, respectively. The E. pacifica density was estimated in the central, western, and eastern regions; the results were approximately 15.8, 1.3, and 10.3 g/m2, respectively, indicating significant differences according to region. The results revealed high-density distributions in the central and eastern regions related to the water temperature structure, which differs regionally in the YSBCW area. Additional studies are needed regarding the spatial distribution of E. pacifica in the YSBCW and its relationship with various ocean environmental parameters according to season. The results of this study contribute to a greater understanding of the structure of the marine ecosystem in the YSBCW. Full article
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19 pages, 3974 KiB  
Article
First Concurrent Measurement of Primary Production in the Yellow Sea, the South Sea of Korea, and the East/Japan Sea, 2018
by Hyo-Keun Jang, Seok-Hyun Youn, Huitae Joo, Yejin Kim, Jae-Joong Kang, Dabin Lee, Naeun Jo, Kwanwoo Kim, Myung-Joon Kim, Soohyun Kim and Sang-Heon Lee
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(11), 1237; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9111237 - 8 Nov 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2823
Abstract
Dramatic environmental changes have been recently reported in the Yellow Sea (YS), the South Sea of Korea (SS), and the East/Japan Sea (EJS), but little information on the regional primary productions is currently available. Using the 13C-15N tracer method, we [...] Read more.
Dramatic environmental changes have been recently reported in the Yellow Sea (YS), the South Sea of Korea (SS), and the East/Japan Sea (EJS), but little information on the regional primary productions is currently available. Using the 13C-15N tracer method, we measured primary productions in the YS, the SS, and the EJS for the first time in 2018 to understand the current status of marine ecosystems in the three distinct seas. The mean daily primary productions during the observation period ranged from 25.8 to 607.5 mg C m−2 d−1 in the YS, 68.5 to 487.3 mg C m−2 d−1 in the SS, and 106.4 to 490.5 mg C m−2 d−1 in the EJS, respectively. In comparison with previous studies, significantly lower (t-test, p < 0.05) spring and summer productions and consequently lower annual primary productions were observed in this study. Based on PCA analysis, we found that small-sized (pico- and nano-) phytoplankton had strongly negative effects on the primary productions. Their ecological roles should be further investigated in the YS, the SS, and the EJS under warming ocean conditions within small phytoplankton-dominated ecosystems. Full article
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