Zooplankton response to the lake restoration in the drinking-water source in Meiliang Bay of subtropical eutrophic Lake Taihu, China

A 3-year ecological engineering project was carried out from 2003 to 2005 in the drinking water source in Meiliang Bay, Lake Taihu, China. The project area was divided into three zones: Zone C (outside the area), Zone B (pelagic part within the area) and Zone A (littoral part within the area). The community composition, density and biomass of zooplankton were studied as a part in the lake restoration study. Also, the abundance, biomass and composition of fish in the engineering area were annually analyzed in the littoral zone (Zone A). The average density of cladocerans decreased from the outer part to the inner part of the lake, i.e., from Zone C to Zone A, while the average density of copepod did not significantly vary among the 3 zones. The average densities of rotifer and ciliate increased from Zone C to Zone A. RDA analysis indicated that Microcystis biomass more impacted the zooplankton compositions after temperature. In Zone A, many planktivorous fishes, e.g., Coilia nasus, Hemiculter leucisculus, Pseudorasbora parva, dominated the fish community, which caused a marked decrease in the abundance of cladocerans, especially large-sized cladoceran Daphnia galeata and Daphnia obtusa. Our results suggested that both fish predation and other environmental factors such as the Microcystis bloom greatly affected the zooplankton community during the restoration of subtropical eutrophic lakes.     

Dynamics of phytoplankton associations in three reservoirs in northeastern Brazil assessed using Reynolds’ theory

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of seasonality on the behavior of phytoplankton associations in eutrophic reservoirs with different depths in northeastern Brazil. Five collections were carried out at each of the reservoirs at two depths (0.1 m and near the sediment) at three-month intervals in each season (dry and rainy). The phytoplankton samples were preserved in Lugol's solution and quantified under an inverted microscope for the determination of density values, which were subsequently converted to biomass values based on cellular biovolume and classified in phytoplankton associations. The following abiotic variables were analyzed: water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, water transparency, total phosphorus, total dissolved phosphorus, orthophosphate and total nitrogen. The data were investigated using canonical correspondence analysis. The influence of seasonality on the dynamics of the phytoplankton community was lesser in the deeper reservoirs. Depth affected the behavior of the algal associations. Variation in light availability was a determinant of changes in the phytoplankton structure. Urosolenia and Anabaena associations were more abundant in shallow ecosystems with a larger eutrophic zone, whereas the Microcystis association was more related to deep ecosystems with adequate availability of nutrients. The distribution of Cyclotella, Geitlerinema, Planktothrix, Pseudanabaena and Cylindrospermopsis associations was different from that seen in subtropical regions and the substitution of these associations was related to a reduction in the eutrophic zone rather than the mixture zone.     

Resource partitioning among cladocerans in a littoral macrophyte zone: implications for the transfer of essential compounds

The maintenance of species diversity in a given environment is strongly linked to resource partitioning. Littoral macrophyte zones are heterogeneous environments with high microcrustacean diversity, where zooplankton have dietary access to seston as well as organisms growing on macrophytic surfaces (epiphyton). We conducted a field study in a macrophyte-rich backwater of the river Allier to examine how seston and epiphyton were used as potential food sources by four dominant cladoceran species. Fatty acids were analyzed in these two food sources to assess how their differential uptake affects the trophic trajectory of essential compounds from these resources to cladocerans. Our results showed resource partitioning among the four cladocerans studied; while Eurycercus fed mostly on epiphyton, Daphnia mostly consumed phytoplankton, and Ceriodaphnia and Simocephalus were able to forage on sestonic and epiphytic resources. Based on their polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content, it was evident that epiphyton was of higher food quality than seston in this macrophyte-rich backwater system. Variability of PUFA compositions of seston and epiphyton, and diversity of foraging strategies of cladoceran species, which represent the major link between microorganisms and consumers at higher trophic levels, affect dietary energy pathways and point to a variable PUFA transfer efficiency in backwater food webs.     

广东省水库枝角类组成特征的初步研究

于2000年丰水期和枯水期调查了广东省19座典型大中型水库枝角类,随后对其中3座代表性水库进行了4年的枝角类种类定性调查.在鉴定出的枝角类16属24种中有13个广温种、7个嗜暖种、3个嗜寒种和1个特有种;每个水库的平均种类数5-6种.从个体大小来看,水库枝角类以小个体种类为主,有14种的体长小、于1 mm,它们分布广且数量多,其中优势种主要为长额象鼻溞、秀体溞、微型裸腹溞、颈沟基合溞和角突网纹溞等.透明溞和透明薄皮溞是主要的大个体种类,出现在4座贫、中营养水库的水样中.水库枝角类的丰度较低,在丰水期,平均丰度小于10 ind./L和10-20 ind./L的水库分别为14座和5座,在枯水期,为12座和5座,而高州水库和河溪水库中的平均丰度达67ind./L.主要优势种在不同营养类型水库中分布差别不大.枝角类的丰度受水力滞留时间影响,直流型水库的枝角类种群丰度的分布明显受到水流速度的影响,湖泊区枝角类个体及其食物均随水库放水输出而减少.由于采样点主要位于大坝附近,枝角类以敞水区的种类为主.从种类组成和数量来看,广东省水库枝角类具有明显的热带特点,枝角类的生物量小,以个体较小的种类优势种,大型种类的个体数量极低且身体透明.     

Effects of fish manipulation on the plankton community in small hypertrophic lakes from the Pampa Plain (Argentina)

Trophic cascade hypotheses predict that fish will affect the structure and biomass of pelagic plankton communities. In order to investigate trophic cascade effects from fish down to phytoplankton, whole-lake studies were performed in five hypertrophic (mean total phosphorus (TP) concentrations higher than 1000 mg m⁻³) shallow lakes located in the Pampa Plain. The main climatic characteristic of this region is the alternation between periods of drought and flood, with corresponding changes of lake depth and conductivity of lake water. All lakes were studied from April to December 2000. Samples were taken of their physical and chemical characteristics and biotic communities, focusing on the zooplankton community. Fish were manipulated in four lakes (Capurro, Longinotti, Vedia 1, Vedia 2), while the fifth (Lake Vedia 3) was left undisturbed as a reference system. High abundance of planktivorous minnows (Jenynsia multidentata and Cheirodon interruptus) dominated the fish community in the reference lake. In the manipulated lakes, fish stocks were largely reduced in late autumn (May). During winter, Capurro, Longinotti and Vedia 1 were stocked with a visual planktivore, the pampean silverside (Odontesthes bonariensis, Atherinidae). Fish stocking was 24, 33 and 19 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. In contrast, no fish were stocked in Lake Vedia 2. Following fish removal, large Daphnia appeared in these lakes and grazed intensively on the phytoplankton. In contrast, no Daphnia were found in the reference lake (Vedia 3). The stocking of O. bonariensis in lakes Capurro, Longinotti and Vedia 1 led to a decrease in the percentage of large cladocerans and a rise in the phytoplankton biomass:TP ratio. Moreover, the lakes mentioned were stocked with different quantities of silversides over different periods of time. These differences were reflected temporarily in the plankton dynamics, affecting mainly larger sized zooplankton. Nevertheless, the presence of Daphnia was short lived in the lake where fish had been removed and no O. bonariensis were stocked. Competition for resources and recruitment of remaining fish probably caused a collapse in the zooplankton biomass. Our results support the idea that fish predation on zooplankton and its effect on phytoplankton is very intense in small pampean lakes. Fish removal was short lived, however. This could be because in small pampean lakes fish recolonization is favored, and minnows are highly prolific. Moreover, if manipulation of the trophic structure of lakes is undertaken in the pampean region, high nutrient loading from the watershed, climate and hydrology should also be taken into account.     

Response of cladoceran assemblages to restoration of riparian vegetation: A case study in a tropical reservoir of Brazil

In recent decades, riparian vegetation has been removed from important ecosystems around the world, in spite of its high ecological importance for aquatic biota. Nevertheless, the effects of catchment land use on zooplankton have been little studied. The present study investigated if replanting riparian vegetation in a tropical reservoir influences the richness and abundance of cladoceran communities, by addressing the question of whether cladocerans show differences in richness and abundance among four levels of riparian vegetation conditions: 1) native forest (NF); 2) 30 years after forest replanting (R1); 3) 10 years after forest replanting (R2); and 4) no forest (No-F). Zooplankton samples were obtained from 9 stations in the Volta Grande Reservoir, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Cladocerans in zones NF and R1 showed higher levels of richness and abundance than in zones No-F and R2. Ceriodaphnia reticulata, Ceriodaphnia laticaudata, and Diaphanosoma spinulosum showed higher abundances in zones NF and R1. Cladoceran community structure was influenced by the different levels of riparian vegetation. This study showed that the presence and age of riparian forest positively influence the abundance, richness and diversity of cladoceran assemblages. Furthermore, our results indicated that C. reticulata, C. laticaudata and D. spinulosum are more efficient than other cladocerans in exploiting allochthonous resources provided by riparian forest. Functional diversity was higher in zones NF and R1, suggesting that the trait composition of cladoceran assemblages responds positively to recovery of riparian forest. Overall, our research suggests that cladocerans are good indicators of riparian vegetation conditions and that restoration of riparian forest positively affects cladoceran assemblages of tropical reservoirs.     

Horizontal and seasonal patterns of tropical zooplankton from the eutrophic Prado Reservoir (Colombia)

Zooplankton community analyses can reveal valuable information about the trophic status and secondary production in reservoirs. The zooplankton seasonal distribution and important physical and chemical parameters in Prado Reservoir (Tolima, Central Colombia) were studied in monthly surveys throughout a hydrological cycle (February 2000-January 2001) in order to establish seasonal patterns and the biotic and abiotic relationships for the reservoir. Surface zooplankton collections at 1 m depth were taken at six sampling stations with regard to reservoir morphometry, location of main tributaries and mixing areas of the incoming tributaries. Cladocerans numerically dominated (48.1%) the community throughout the study period followed by Copepoda (32.7%), Rotifera (19.1%), and Diptera larvae (0.01%). Among the cladocerans, there was a greater abundance of Bosmina longirostris (69.8%) than other crustaceans. Among the Rotifera, Brachionus falcatus was the most abundant with 23% and Keratella tropica was least abundant with 8%. The only cyclopoid species found was Thermocyclops decipiens. The phantom midge Chaoborus sp. was also part of the zooplankton community. Based on numbers, cladocerans represented a significant component of the zooplankton in both dry and rainy seasons. Four species (Brachionus spp., K. tropica, Diaphanosoma brachyurum, Ceriodaphnia cornuta, Moina sp., and T. decipiens) had never previously been found in the reservoir, but were recorded for other standing Colombian water bodies. The replacement of B. longirostris instead of Daphnia sp. as dominant species was observed. The results of the comparison of the different studies confirmed that the trophic state of this artificial lake may be classified as eutrophic, and in general, physical, and chemical homogeneity were observed both spatially and temporally.     

Community structure in boreal lakes with recurring blooms of the nuisance flagellate Gonyostomum semen

Blooms of the nontoxic raphidophyte Gonyostomum semen have shown a recent increase in frequency and distribution in the Fennoscandian region. Due to large cell size and several grazer-avoidance strategies, G. semen is hypothesized to be inedible for most zooplankton species and therefore may constitute a bottleneck for the transfer of energy and nutrients in pelagic food webs. Repression of other phytoplankton through increased competition and induced mortality could further exacerbate this effect. In a field study of four lakes with recurring blooms of G. semen and four lakes without blooms, we found significant differences in community structure between the two lake groups during the bloom period. Bloom-lakes had lower biovolumes of small chrysophytes and chlorophytes and zooplankton assemblages were predominated by small, potentially bacterivorous cladocerans, suggesting a limited availability of edible phytoplankton and an increased importance of microbial pathways during G. semen blooms. Low biovolumes of large cladocerans in bloom-lakes may be due to interference of G. semen with filter feeding. Moreover, high abundances of the phantom midge Chaoborus flavicans in bloom-lakes suggest that the flow of energy and nutrients is directed more towards this invertebrate predator than fish. This could have negative impacts on fish populations, especially if bloom periods are prolonged.     

热带浅水湖泊后生浮游动物群落结构对生态修复的响应

热带浅水湖泊后生浮游动物群落以轮虫和小型枝角类为主,往往缺乏大型浮游动物,其影响因子还存在争议,因此通过减少鱼类,提高大型后生浮游动物密度,从而增强对浮游植物的下行控制、修复热带富营养化湖泊的方法受到质疑.暨大南湖位于广州暨南大学校园内,是热带富营养化浅水湖泊,于2014年1—2月实施以鱼类去除和水生植被重建为主的生态系统修复工程,以期改善水质.通过对南湖修复前后水质、后生浮游动物以及修复后鱼类群落的调查分析,研究了后生浮游动物群落对修复的响应.结果表明:与修复前相比,总氮、总磷和叶绿素a浓度显著降低,透明度显著上升.枝角类丰度和生物量显著增加,修复后初期出现较高密度的大型枝角类蚤状溞(Daphnia pulex),桡足类丰度和生物量没有显著变化,轮虫丰度下降而生物量上升;后生浮游动物体长和生物多样性显著增加.随着鱼类密度的增加,蚤状溞丰度快速降低,后期鱼类减少后蚤状溞丰度又有所升高.因此,本研究显示鱼类是控制热带浅水湖泊大型浮游动物种群的主要因素,由于控制鱼类密度以维持较高大型浮游动物密度较为困难,因此单纯生物操纵在热带浅水湖泊修复中难以取得显著效果.     

秀丽白虾(Exopalaemon modestus)对亚热带湖库春夏季水体营养水平和浮游生物群落的影响——基于微宇宙模拟实验

秀丽白虾(Exopalaemon modestus)是我国大型淡水湖库的重要经济渔获对象,也是水体中浮游动物的捕食者之一.以往的研究从渔业的角度揭示了秀丽白虾的生物学特征与食性,但少有研究探讨秀丽白虾这一无脊椎动物捕食者对春、夏季浮游生物群落的影响.本研究设计了一个单因素户外微宇宙实验,比较了春季—初夏(4-6月)时期,有无秀丽白虾条件下水体氮、磷浓度以及浮游生物生物量和群落结构的变化.结果 表明:1)秀丽白虾的存在显著降低了春季水体总氮(TN)浓度,增加了水体总磷(TP)浓度,降低了水体TN∶TP比值;2)秀丽白虾的捕食减少了大型枝角类Daphnia pulex和浮游动物总生物量,D.pulex在浮游动物群落中的优势度被轮虫取代,浮游动物群落趋于小型化;3)秀丽白虾显著增加了春季水体叶绿素a浓度,但对浮游植物群落结构的影响不明显.研究表明在大型湖库中,秀丽白虾等无脊椎动物捕食者可能是影响浮游生物群落变化的因素之一,在春季浮游生物研究中应予以关注.     

近百年来枝角类群落响应洱海营养水平、外来鱼类引入以及水生植被变化的特征

近几十年来,以大型湖泊为代表的云南部分湖泊受人类活动的持续影响出现了生态环境的明显变化.洱海作为云南面积第2大淡水湖泊,经历了多重环境压力(富营养化、外来鱼类引入、水生植被退化等)的影响.在湖泊现代监测数据面临时段较短、缺乏连续记录的背景下,湖泊沉积物的连续记录可以提供湖泊生态环境变化的长期历史并可用于生态响应模式的识别.以目前处于富营养水平的洱海为研究对象,应用湖泊沉积物记录进行多指标分析,探讨多重环境压力影响下洱海枝角类群落的长期变化特征以及影响因素,并与已有研究成果和现代监测数据进行对比,探讨了枝角类群落对环境压力响应的空间差异性.通过分析沉积物枝角类记录,重建了近百年来洱海枝角类群落的变化历史,结果表明过去100年来,枝角类的生物量总体呈增加趋势,尤其从1990年左右开始,象鼻溞生物量显著增加,物种相对组成出现明显变化(如Bosmina longispina被B.longirostris取代).同时象鼻溞的生物量、壳长与触角长度在1990s初期有明显降低的趋势,与同期外来鱼类(如银鱼)引种成功的时间一致.限制性聚类分析结果表明,枝角类群落结构的变化有3个主要阶段:1990s以前,底栖枝角类为群落的主要组成;1990—2000年左右,浮游枝角类(以象鼻溞为主)在枝角类群落结构中的比例迅速增加;从2000年以后,枝角类群落组成以浮游枝角类为主.同时,枝角类数据的主成分(PCA)分析显示,仅有PCA主轴1呈现显著的变化且解释了群落结构变化的61.64%,进一步分析表明水生植被变化可能是驱动枝角类变化的主要环境梯度,如底栖枝角类生物量减少响应了湖泊水生植被的退化.与已有研究对比表明,浅水湖区沉积物记录的枝角类生物量在1970s急剧增加与1980s急剧降低等现象并没有被深水区的沉积物记录所反映,指示了洱海生态系统的变化模式存在空间差异性.同时象鼻溞个体大小的变化模式反映了外来鱼类引入导致的鱼类捕食压力的变化.总之,本文揭示了枝角类群落结构与生物量的长期变化,反映了洱海富营养化过程、水生植被的退化与外来鱼类引入的长期驱动影响,因此对洱海的生态管理与修复工作应考虑多个环境压力的影响并加强对湖泊生态系统的评价.     

Differences in zooplankton feeding rates and isotopic signatures from three temperate lakes

Bacteria and phytoplankton are integral in the mobilization and transfer of organic matter to higher trophic levels. Hence, we examined their role in zooplankton diets and assessed trends in their nitrogen isotopic variability. We performed feeding experiments with natural particulate organic matter (POM) and four zooplankton groups (Daphnia, Holopedium, large calanoids and small calanoids) to (1) examine whether there are differences in consumption (presented as clearance and ingestion rates) of phytoplankton and bacteria, and (2) determine whether differences in zooplankton clearance and ingestion rates are correlated with their δ¹⁵N isotopic signatures. In general, phytoplankton and bacteria clearance rates and biomass ingested per animal varied significantly among different zooplankton groups within lakes and between lakes for a given zooplankton group. Within a given lake, Daphnia and Holopedium had the highest phytoplankton and bacteria clearance and ingestion rates, followed by large calanoids, and then small calanoids. For a given zooplankton group, bacteria and phytoplankton clearance rates varied among lakes. In contrast, phytoplankton ingestion rates were consistently highest in Dickie Lake for all taxa, whereas bacteria ingestion rates were more variable among lakes for the different zooplankton taxa. The percentage contribution of different phytoplankton taxa to the biomass of phytoplankton ingested also varied significantly among lakes for a given taxa, but there were few differences within a given lake among zooplankton. Zooplankton δ¹⁵N_DOMC values were correlated with their size adjusted phytoplankton and bacteria clearance and ingestion rates. The correlations were stronger with (1) phytoplankton compared to bacteria, and (2) clearance rates compared to ingestion rates of biomass. Together our results suggest that zooplankton taxa with low phytoplankton and bacteria clearance and ingestion rates and higher δ¹⁵N_DOMC are likely exploiting food sources from higher trophic levels.     

Comparative analysis of lake plankton structure vs. function

: Four modeling approaches were used to describe variations in the plankton of a large lake. The objective was to determine whether information about ecological transfer efficiency could be predicted from metrics related to particle size, taxonomic composition, and food web structure. No relationships were found between the structural metrics and ratios of zooplankton to algal carbon uptake (one index of transfer efficiency). Ratios of zooplankton to algal biomass (another often-used index) increased significantly with food web complexity, zooplankton size, and percent dominance by Daphnia. Biomass ratios decreased with increasing algal cell size. The results provide insight into how structural properties of plankton may relate to community function.     

安徽女山湖自然保护区浮游生物群落生态

2007年4月-2009年5月对安徽女山湖自然保护区浮游生物群落生态进行调查研究,共检出浮游植物8门45属113种;浮游动物包括原生动物、轮虫、枝角类、桡足类,共检出33属78种.分析表明女山湖不同季节浮游生物种类组成的变化趋势不同,但整体看来,浮游植物组成以蓝藻为主,浮游动物以轮虫为主;浮游生物量在不同季节波动较大,表现为夏季春季秋季冬季,而不同年份同一季节的生物量变化不大.浮游生物的多样性指数在不同季节的变化较大,而丰富度指数D在不同季节变化不大,大多数在1.3-3.9之间,均匀度指数J′在0.5-0.8之间.平均溶氧量PG达2.62mg/L.综合判定,女山湖属于中富营养型,浮游动物群落结构和组成相对稳定,具有较大的开发利用潜力.     

Zooplankton community structure and ecology of the tropical-highland Lake Hayq, Ethiopia

Lake Hayq, a highland lake in Ethiopia, was stocked with Tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) in late 1970s, offering an opportunity to study the effect of fish predation in a natural lake. Since 1930s, some limnological surveys have been done sporadically documenting a change in zooplankton composition including the disappearance of cladocerans, hypothesizing the stocked planktivorous fish could be a cause. Nevertheless, no detailed research was conducted to identify potential effects of fish stocking predominantly due to its remote location. The article presents data about zooplankton composition, abundance and biomass done between October 2007 and January 2009 on short-time intervals including the underlying limnological variables. The zooplankton community was depauperate comprising two copepods, three cladocerans, and six rotifers taxa, as typical for tropical lakes. Total mean standing biomass of all crustacean zooplankton was 237 mg dry mass m⁻³, which gave Lake Hayq an intermediate position when compared with other tropical lakes. Of copepods, Thermocyclops ethiopiensis was almost an exclusive species, and its temporal variation was influenced by food supply and water temperature. We refute the hypothesis that Tilapia was the cause for the seasonal disappearance of cladocerans, and attribute it to the adverse effect of episodic mixing. Nevertheless, the planktivorous fish probably plays a key role in structuring the cladocerans in particular the large-sized Daphnia magna. In January 2008, we observed a massive planktivorous fish mortality that triggered high algal biomass, which was later grazed by large-sized D. magna demonstrating the trophic cascade hypothesis in a natural ecosystem.     

竞争捕食作用对千岛湖浮游动物群落结构的影响

竞争与捕食作用是调节湖泊和池塘等淡水生态系统结构的主要动力,并且影响着浮游动物的群落结构和种群动态变化.为了阐明生物因素对千岛湖浮游动物群落结构的影响,于2009-2010年对千岛湖浮游动物群落结构变化规律进行调查.利用Pearson相关性分析和多元逐步回归法分析生物因素对千岛湖中浮游动物群落结构的影响.对千岛湖1999、2004、2007-2010年的鲢鳙鱼生物量和浮游动物生物量的统计分析表明,1999年鲢鳙鱼的生物量约为2004、2007-2010年年平均生物量的1/5,而轮虫和桡足类生物量变化不大,枝角类中盔形溞密度下降.鲢鳙鱼放养后浮游植物密度下降,而大型浮游动物(如盔形溞)的密度变化趋势与浮游植物相一致,因此推断鲢鳙鱼的放养将对千岛湖浮游动物群落结构产生影响.     

Chlorella-bearing ciliates (Stentor, Ophrydium) dominate in an oligotrophic, deep North Patagonian lake (Lake Caburgua, Chile)

The aim of this study was to present quantitative data on the population dynamics of Chlorella-bearing ciliates (Stentor, Ophrydium) compared to the total zooplankton community in a deep, oligotrophic North Patagonian lake. Mixotrophic and heterotrophic ciliates, rotifers and microcrustaceans, and important ecological parameters were sampled during a 1-year study. The results showed a low biodiversity with only a few dominant species in every zooplankton group. Three mixotrophic ciliates - Stentor araucanus, S. amethystinus and Ophrydium naumanni - were found. They peaked in summer and autumn with maximum values of 152-313 Ind L⁻¹ (Stentor) and 1880 Ind L⁻¹ (Ophrydium). Their contribution to the total ciliate abundance was 16±17% (annual average). Both Stentor species displayed a distinct vertical zonation during the stratification period with peak depth between 10 and 15 m (metalimnion). The contribution to total zooplankton biomass was 59.4% on an annual average (Stentor: 41%, O. naumanni: 18.4%) and 83% during the stratification period. Both abundance and biomass of mixotrophic ciliates correlated strongly with temperature and to a lesser degree with copepods, rotifers and small cladocerans. According to this study mixotrophic ciliates were by far the dominant zooplankton group in Lake Caburgua. We report for the first time the importance of O. naumanni in a deep Chilean North Patagonian lake.     

Zooplankton succession during extraordinary drought–flood cycles: A case study in a South American floodplain lake

We examined the zooplankton abundance and composition of Laguna Grande, a floodplain wetland of the Lower Paraná Basin (Argentina), during an extraordinary drought–flood cycle that affected both the environment and the biological conditions of the lake. Low waters were characterised by remarkably high conductivities and pH values, and high phytoplankton and bacterioplankton abundances with cyanobacterial blooms, while high waters showed opposite features. In relation to zooplankton, the mean abundances of all the taxonomic groups (rotifers, cladocerans, copepods, ciliates, and heterotrophic nanoflagellates) were slightly higher at low waters. Major changes were observed in the specific composition of metazooplankton: the euryhaline species assemblage that dominated in the dry warm period was replaced by several oligohaline littoral and planktonic species characteristic of the Paraná River Basin, when the water level rose. Mean species richness values at high waters doubled those of low waters and were directly correlated to water depth. Most of the rotifers of the genus Brachionus and the cladoceran Moina micrura switched from parthenogenetic to sexual reproduction during low waters, as a response to a harsh environment and crowding. We suggest that the main changes in the environmental conditions in this eutrophic floodplain lake are driven by the hydrology, which regulates the zooplankton succession. The herein described shifts in the zooplankton structure and dynamics of Laguna Grande over an extraordinary drought–flood cycle contribute to the understanding of the processes that might occur under the scenarios predicted by climate change models.     

澜沧江梯级水库浮游植物群落结构特征及其关键驱动因子

筑坝改变河流生源要素迁移转化过程及浮游植物群落分布特征,影响河流生态系统结构与功能。为探究梯级筑坝河流浮游植物群落结构特征及其关键驱动因子,2016年丰水期、2018和2021年丰、枯水期在澜沧江开展了浮游植物群落及相关环境要素的调研。本文重点对比分析了丰水期自然河道段和水库浮游植物间的差异,基于广义相加模型(GAM)建立浮游植物与环境要素间的关系,研究发现:丰水期浮游植物生物量显著高于枯水期,丰、枯水期浮游植物群落结构均呈现上游以硅藻门为主,中下游以绿藻门、蓝藻门为主的变化特征。营养盐和水库的水力停留时间(HRT)是导致上、下游浮游植物生物量差异的关键环境要素;总磷、水温和HRT是影响浮游植物群落多样性指数的主要环境要素;总磷、氨氮是影响丰富度指数的关键环境要素。本研究结果有助于深化理解梯级筑坝河流生态环境效应。     

The zooplankton communities of small water reservoirs with different trophic conditions in two catchments in western Slovakia

Our study summarizes data from six small water reservoirs in West Slovakia and analyzes the occurrence of zooplankton groups in relation to physico-chemical and catchment variables. The reservoirs are in two different catchments – of the Morava and Váh rivers. A total of 103 species were identified; 64 crustaceans (in both the pelagic and littoral zones) and 39 planktonic Rotifera in the pelagic zones. Significant differences were observed in species richness, abundance and biomass of planktonic crustaceans: 48 species were characteristic of the Váh catchment, while 53 were found in the Morava catchment. The density of zooplankton in the three reservoirs of the Váh River catchment ranged from 102 ind L^?1 to 21,488 ind L^?1 and the zooplankton biomass ranged from 0.12 mg L^?1 to 103.29 mg L^?1. The density of zooplankton in three Morava River catchment reservoirs ranged from 2 ind L^?1 to 3928 ind L^?1 and the zooplankton biomass ranged from 0.1 mg L^?1 to 27.3 mg L^?1. The differences were found to be related to catchment (altitude and catchment affiliation), chemical (BOD5, DO) and biological (Chromophyta, Chlorophyta) factors. Eutrophication of reservoirs in the Váh catchment was mainly due to agriculture and fish management, resulting in high nutrient concentrations. Species richness showed an unimodal response to BOD₅ and N-NH₄ with near optimum low values, 4.6 and 0.19 respectively. The relationship to oxygen content reflects preferences for less eutrophic waters and species richness tended to decrease with increasing DO and to decrease with increasing nutrient content.