engleski

An Introduction to Natural Characteristics of the Velebit Channel

Overall trophic status may be characterized from oligotrophic to mesotrophic. Characteristic phytoplankton groups from diatoms, dinoflagellates and coccolithophorids have been found in concentrations up to 105 cells/l. Copepods make majority of net zooplankton with concentrations of up to 5000 cells/l. Most of necton is composed of small blue fish (sardines, sprat an mackerel), larger blue fish such as tuna are rare while Atlantic mackerels are more often found and intensively fished. Smaller white fish are common while larger selachians are rare. The area below 50 m is known as a fishing gound for Nephrops norvegicus. Several species of marine organisms protected by law live in the channel: snails Mitra zonata, Charonia tritonis, Tonna galea, shell Pinna nobilis, sea grasses Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa, four species of sea turtles and dolphin Tursiops truncatus. There are about 20 species of birds that live in the area which are also protected by law.

the Velebit channel; hydrography; phytoplankton; zooplankton; nekton

nije evidentirano