Monitoring of zooplankton communities was conducted in Zingster Strom on behalf of University of Rostock to characterize temporal dynamics and community composition within the coastal basin. The sampling strategy was designed to capture both quantitative and qualitative aspects of the zooplankton assemblage across monthly intervals.

On a single day of each month, two complementary water samples were collected. A 1 L “full sample” was obtained to provide a quantitative representation of the ambient zooplankton community. In parallel, a 5 L “net sample” was collected and concentrated using a plankton net to enhance the detection of less abundant or larger-bodied organisms that may be underrepresented in smaller volumes.

The monitored taxa comprise a broad spectrum of zooplankton groups, including copepods (e.g., Eurytemora affinis, Acartia tonsa, Temora), cladocerans (e.g., Bosmina, Daphnia-like taxa such as Diaphanosoma), rotifers (e.g., Keratella, Brachionus, Filinia, Polyarthra), and various meroplanktonic larvae such as polychaete larvae, as well as early life stages of mollusks (bivalves and gastropods). This taxonomic diversity reflects the transitional nature of the ecosystem, where marine and freshwater influences shape the zooplankton community.

Samples were analyzed using optical microscopy, allowing identification based on morphological characteristics. The combination of full and net sampling approaches enables a more comprehensive assessment of both dominant and rare taxa, supporting robust ecological interpretation of seasonal patterns and environmental responses.

These data contribute to long-term monitoring efforts aimed at understanding zooplankton dynamics in coastal systems and their role in trophic interactions and ecosystem functioning within Zingst Bay.