<i>In situ</i> automated imaging, using the Plankton Imager, captures temporal variations in mesozooplankton using the Celtic Sea as a case study

Abstract The Plankton Imager (PI) is an underway semi-automated, high-speed imaging instrument, which takes images of all passing particles and classifies the mesozooplankton present. We used data (temperature, salinity abundance) collected in Celtic Sea spring autumn from 2016 to 2019 assess ability PI describe temporal changes community capture seasonality individual taxa. description obtained using identified both seasonal interannual community. Variation was higher between years than seasons due large variation autumn, attributed breaking down summer stratification. consistent years. taxa broadly adhered those presented literature. This demonstrates as a robust method Finally, potential future applications how make best use are discussed.