Infographic: Zooplankton changes affect fish health and survival

In the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, shifts in zooplankton species composition and abundance have consequences for other species in the marine food web. Zooplankton changes affect fish health and survival. Nutritious zooplankton is a key component in a healthy food web. The larger, cold-water copepods are shown in a circle on the left. These species are larger and have more fat to provide energy for fish as shown by a battery filled up with green bars. The populations of these species are decreasing as ocean temperatures increase. On the right, the smaller, warm-water copepods are shown in a circle with a battery that only has a few orange bars. These species are smaller, lower in fat, and less nutritious than the cold-water species. This means that eating them take more work and provides less energy for fish. The populations of these species are increasing as ocean temperatures increase.

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Zooplankton changes affect fish health and survival.

Nutritious zooplankton is a key component in a healthy food web.

Cold-water copepods are decreasing

• Large, high fat, nutritious
• Filling up is easy, energy is plentiful
• More energy for fishes

Warm-water copepods are increasing

• Small, low fat, less nutritious
• Eating takes more work, provides less energy
• Less energy for fishes