Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Washington
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Researchers at the University of Washington (UW) will collaborate with the U.S. Geological Survey (WWSC) in evaluating zooplankton biodiversity and abundance in Sinclair Inlet as part of a larger Sinclair Inlet mercury study. The project will uiltimately include development and implementation of a regular zooplankton sampling program, analysis of zooplankton samples, training of UW and outside researchers in sampling and analysis techniques, publication of results and integration of the project into the ecosystem context. Objectives covered under the scope of work include (1) planning and designing a sampling/analysis program; (2) sampling zooplankton; (3) analyszing species composition and abundance in zooplankton samples; (4) training UW students and personnel in zooplankton sampling and analysis techniques; and (5) in collaboration with USGS personnel, analyze data to answer research questions and publish results in peer-reviewed journal(s).