title: Climatic warming and the decline of zooplankton in the california current.
abstract: Since 1951, the biomass of macrozooplankton in waters off southern California has decreased by 80 percent. During the same period, the surface layer warmed-by more than 1.5 degrees C in some places-and the temperature difference across the thermocline increased. Increased stratification resulted in less lifting of the thermocline by wind-driven upwelling. A shallower source of upwelled waters provided less inorganic nutrient for new biological production and hence supported a smaller zooplankton population. Continued warming could lead to further decline of zooplankton.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roemmich
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGowan