The dynamics of biophysical characteristics of the northern Black Sea pelagic ecosystem in the first decades of the XXI century

Abstract

Wind speed, sea surface temperature chlorophyll-a concentration (satellite data such MODIS-Aqua/Terra), bioluminescence intensity and zooplankton biomass (data from the research vessel), the value of fish traded, the indices of lower-than-normal atmospheric pressure and water mass transfer (model calculations) are the factors used to estimate a modern state of the pelagic ecosystem and its functional characteristics. It has been shown that, in the last two decades (2000-2020), after natural cataclysms associated with eutrophication and trophic stress of invasive plankton species in the 1990s, the ecosystem of the open areas in the northern portion of the Black sea has reached a state of relative stability in its structure and functioning. This state is characterized by the absence of changes in the interannual variability of the factors particular for it. Concepts are discussed which concern regional differences in physical factors and biological interactions over many years.