The Impact of Copepod Grazing on the Phytoplankton of Georges Bank and the New York Bight

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Abstract
The grazing rate of the copepod community was calculated at 10-km intervals on transects of the continental shelf south of Long Island, New York, and across Georges Bank during April, July, and October 1978. During the spring when Calanus and Pseudocalanus dominated, grazing tended to be greatest on the outer shelf and slope regions, and community ingestion rates never exceeded primary production rates; much of the spring bloom was not grazed. During the fall when Centropages and Oithona dominated, grazing was greatest in the shallower regions, and community ingestion rates were often equivalent to or slightly greater than primary production rates. About 50% of the annual primary production was grazed by the copepod community in both regions.Key words: community grazing, Georges Bank, New York Bight, phytoplankton