Abstract: Based on three oceanographic surveys conducted off the Feiyun River estuary (27°46′-27°75′N, 120°66′-121°01′E) in November 2010 (autumn), January 2011 (winter) and May 2011 (spring), the species composition, Shannon diversity, abundance, horizontal distribution, and seasonal variation of zooplankton were investigated, and their relationship to seasonal variation of water masses was also examined. A total of 60 species belonging to 11 groups were identified, including 42 species belonging to 9 groups in autumn, 20 species belonging to 5 groups in winter and 34 species belonging to 8 groups in spring. The abundance of zooplankton was highest in autumn (221.69 ind·m^-3), least in winter (19.52 ind·m^-3), and intermediate in spring (137.50 ind·m^-3). Spatially, the zooplankton was most numerous in the offshore water. The Shannon diversity of zooplankton was highest in autumn followed by spring and winter. The high value area of diversity was situated in the southeast of investigation waters (autumn), in the outer area of Feiyun River estuary (spring) and among archipelago in the north (winter), respectively. In winter and spring, Calanus sinicus was the predominant which determined the distribution pattern of zooplankton abundance. In autumn, Paracalanus aculeatus and Sagitta bedoti exerted the greatest influence on the distribution of zooplankton abundance. Furthermore, the abundance and community composition of zooplankton was influenced by seasonal variation of water masses to some extent.

Key words: cotton fiber quality, GGE biplot, regional crop trial, ecological regiona-lization, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), major cotton-producing area