Distribution of Plankton Communities in the Waters of the Riau Archipelago: A Literature Review

Abstract

Plankton plays an essential role in aquatic ecosystems as the primary producer, energy transfer component, and biological indicator of environmental quality. This study aimed to synthesize information regarding community structure and plankton distribution in the waters of the Riau Archipelago Province through a literature review approach. Scientific articles published between 2007 and 2026 were collected and evaluated to identify patterns of plankton composition, diversity, and environmental drivers influencing their occurrence. The synthesis showed that phytoplankton communities were predominantly composed of Bacillariophyta, followed by Dinoflagellata, Cyanophyta, and Chlorophyta, whereas zooplankton communities were mainly represented by Crustacea, especially Copepoda. Phytoplankton diversity ranged from low to moderate levels (H’ = 0.57–2.77), indicating varying ecological conditions among study locations. Most studies were concentrated in marine ecosystems (75%), while estuarine and freshwater environments remained underrepresented. Variations in community structure were strongly associated with nutrient availability, salinity, hydrodynamics, and anthropogenic pressures. The review also revealed limited long-term monitoring and insufficient zooplankton investigations. Future studies should integrate broader ecosystem coverage and advanced approaches to support sustainable aquatic ecosystem management in the Riau Archipelago