Interannual variability in the zooplankton community in Golubaya bay (Northeastern part of the Black Sea) in 2002–2012

The introduction of the ctenophores Mnemiopsis and Beroe into the Black Sea at the end of the past century has resulted in drastic changes in the marine ecosystem and caused the necessity of regular surveys of the state of the plankton communities. This paper presents the results of the study of variations in structure and biomass of the coastal zooplankton community from 2002 to 2012. The study is the continuation of surveys performed in 1991–2001. Seasonal and annual dynamics of biomass of the major species and the community structure have been analyzed, and the variability in communities over the past two decades has been determined.