Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, vol.31, no.4, pp.167-179, 2014 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Despite
recent worldwide increase, artificial water bodies have received little
attention for spatial and temporal distribution of their zooplankton
communities. Aim of the present study was to reveal diel variations in vertical
distribution of zooplankton in water column of a eutrophic reservoir and to
detect which environmental and biological factors affect this distribution. All
physicochemical and biological (Chlorophyll a and zooplankton species)
variables showed a similar pattern, generally a decrease from the surface to
depths of 4.5–6.0 m and a rise from this point to the deepest part of the
vertical water column. In total, 15 zooplankton taxa were determined being
Copepoda the most abundant taxa, followed by Cladocera, and Rotifera. Water
temperature, turbidity and suspended load concentration were the most
influential factors for the vertical migration of Cyclopoids and Cladocerans
whereas the distribution of Rotifers, and Copepod nauplii were related to
nutrients, and food concentrations represented by chlorophyll a. Diel changes
and depth had significant impact on the abundance of studied zooplankton
community in the reservoir. Result of the study revealed variable distribution
patterns of zooplankton under effect of different environmental factors in an
unpredictable reservoir.