The influence of tidal-induced variability on the distribution of meroplankton larvae in the Southern Bight of the North Sea

Tidal currents proved to be the major force determining the changes in the density distribution of meroplankton larvae in the Southern Eight of the North Sea. Path analysis showed that the larvae are strongly correlated with the tide and with tide-coupled environmental factors. Hydrodynamic processes and physical advective factors exert a strong control over meroplankton pattern distribution at different scales.