Zooplankton Dynamics in the Hyper‐Eutrophic Nakdong River System (Korea) Regulated by an Estuary Dam and Side Channels

Zooplankton in the main channel of the Nakdong River and in three tributaries was sampled from June 1994 to September 1995. Planktonic rotifers (Brachionus spp., Keratella spp., and Polyarthra spp.), cyclopoid nauplii and small cladocerans (Bosmina longirostris) were numerically dominant. There was considerable longitudinal variation of zooplankton biomass in the main channel as well as spatial heterogeneity among the major tributaries. In the middle region of the main channel, between river kilometer (RK) 170 and 150 above the estuary dam, total zooplankton abundance sharply increased from less than 100 ind. L^—1 to more than 1,000 ind. L^—1. In a downstream direction toward the estuary dam, phytoplankton biomass increased while total zooplankton biomass decreased. However, as shown by the increasing transport of zooplankton biomass, zooplankton was diluted in the reach of the estuary dam. Advective effects from major tributaries appear to be the contributory factor for the higher zooplankton biomass in the middle region. Overall, rather the external factors (flushing, retention) than internal factors (e.g., phytoplankton) appear to be responsible for changes in zooplankton abundance toward the river mouth.     

Zooplankton biomass and community structure in a Danube River floodplain system: effects of hydrology

1. Zooplankton density and biomass was examined in a Danube River floodplain section with highly variable hydrological dynamics. Temporal patterns were analysed to assess the effects of hydrological conditions on zooplankton community structure and the differential response of the two major zooplankton taxa, rotifers and crustaceans.
2. Calculated floodplain water age was used as an integrated parameter describing hydrological conditions and connectivity.
3. Total zooplankton biomass, crustacean biomass and crustacean species number were significantly positively related to water age. Rotifer biomass followed a hump-shaped relationship with water age, and rotifer species number decreased with increasing water age.
4. Rotifers dominated the community in periods of low to medium water ages. In periods of higher water ages the community was dominated by crustaceans.
5. We propose that the hydrological regime of floodplains is crucial for zooplankton biomass patterns and succession, through the alternation of washing-out effects, taxon-specific potential of reproduction and biological interactions. Flood events and high water levels reset the community to an early successional phase.     

Seasonal variation in abundance and diversity of zooplankton in Asu River,Ebonyi state,Nigeria

The Physicochemical variables and Zooplankton of Asu River, Ebonyi State, Nigeria were studied monthly between October 2013 and June 2014 which covered the wet and dry seasons. The study was carried out monthly in two selected sites by collecting water samples for physiochemical analysis and zooplankton identification. Shannon-Weiner diversity and Margalef's indices were used to determine the zooplankton composition. Investigation on the physiochemical variables showed that water temperature, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, pH, conductivity and carbon (iv) oxide all recorded maximum values in the dry season. The present result also showed that the river is not seriously polluted. However, only carbon (iv) oxide and nitrate varied significantly between seasons (p < 0.05). Forty two (42) zooplankton species comprising Rotifera (7 families; 23 species), Copepoda (2 families; 8 species) and Cladoceran (6 families; 11 species) were identified. Rotifera spp. were numerically dominant and the most diverse group but the crustacean, Thermocyclops oithonoides dominated the total zooplankton biomass during the study. Species abundance showed inverse relationship with species richness, Shannon-Weiner diversity and Evenness. Zooplankton abundance was at its peak in the dry season while species richness, Shannon- Weiner diversity and evenness increased from dry season to wet season.     

The longitudinal distribution and community dynamics of zooplankton in a regulated large river: a case study of the Nakdong River (Korea)

The longitudinal distribution and seasonal dynamics of zooplankton were examined along a 200-km section of the middle to lower Nakdong River, Korea. Zooplankton was sampled twice a month from January 1995 to December 1997 at five sites in the main river channel. There was considerable longitudinal variation in total zooplankton abundance (ANOVA, p < 0.001). All major zooplankton groups (rotifers, cladocerans, copepodids and nauplii) increased significantly with distance downstream along the river. There also were statistically significant seasonal differences in zooplankton abundance at the sampling sites (ANOVA, p < 0.01). Zooplankton abundance was high in spring and fall and low in summer and winter. The seasonal pattern of rotifers was similar to that of total zooplankton. This reflected the fact that rotifers (Brachionus calyciflorus, B. rubens, Keratella cochlearis and Polyarthra spp.) strongly dominated the zooplankton community at all locations. Among the macrozooplankton, small-bodied cladocerans (e.g. Bosmina spp.) dominated; the abundance of large-bodied cladocerans (e.g. Daphnia) was negligible (0–5 ind. l^–1). Among the environmental variables considered, partial residence time seemed to play the most important role in determining characteristics of the river zooplankton community.     

Similarities in zooplankton community between River Drawa and its two tributaries (Polish part of River Odra)

Zooplankton communities were studied in a river and its tributaries with different hydrological, biological and physico-chemical conditions. Small similarities were noted in the zooplankton community (mostly Rotifera) between a tributary characterised by a regular bed and the river. No influence of a tributary with an irregular bed and variable water flow was noted on the zooplankton of the river it joined. It was concluded that the tributaries had very little influence on the zooplankton community in the river which they joined. The most probable reasons for this were the predatory behaviour of fry, escape of zooplankton into the river vegetation and therefore not carried down by the river current, and reproduction of zooplankton in slack waters, small floodplains and densely vegetated riparian zones of the main river.     

Zooplankton abundance and transport in a tropical white-water river

Zooplankton abundance and transport were studied in the Apure River of western Venuzuela over a 15-month period. Much of the lower portion of the drainage basin, which is an extensive savanna of low relief, is subject to seasonal flooding. Although more than 50 zooplankton species were recorded during the study, nine rotifer species accounted for more than 90% of total density (mean, 138 individuals · L^-1). Copepods were represented primarily by Mesocyclops decipiens. Most cladocerans were planktonic, but cladocerans were not abundant. Crustaceans comprised 46% of annual mean zooplankton biomass (1.9 gC·L^-1) but only 2% of zooplankton numbers. The annual transport of zooplankton biomass from the watershed was 29 300 kgC. Zooplankton abundance showed a strong, inverse relationship to discharge. Secondary branches (caños) of the braided channel appeared to be the primary source areas, but populations of some species also reproduced in the main channel at low water. As the river began to rise, caños were flushed and thus abruptly ceased to serve as source areas. Zooplankton transport fell sharply and remained low until the river inundated the floodplain. Secondary production in the floodplain was exported to the river as long as a connection existed. After drainage ceased from the floodplain, transport fell to very low levels until caños again became suitable habitat. Seasonal fluctuations in river level regulate the development of source areas suitable for zooplankton growth and control the export of plankton from the source areas. Plankton in the running waters reproduce only at low water.     

Response of phytoplankton and zooplankton communities in six reservoirs of the middle Missouri River (USA) to drought conditions and a major flood event

We assessed if the qualitative and quantitative aspects of plankton composition in reservoirs of the middle Missouri River were influenced by hydrologic variability. Phytoplankton and zooplankton communities in six reservoirs of this highly regulated system were sampled between 2004 and 2011 during historic drought, subsequent recovery, and a 100-year flood event. The reservoir system encompasses a broad latitudinal gradient of decreasing depth, decreasing water residence time and increasing trophic state. Phytoplankton communities of the upper three reservoirs were co-dominated by planktonic and meroplanktonic diatoms during the drought, recovery, and flood periods, but the proportion of more silicified meroplanktonic diatoms increased in the lower three reservoirs as water residence time decreased. Peak phytoplankton biovolume usually occurred during spring/early summer and was associated with increased hydrologic inflows and outflows. Zooplankton biomass of the reservoir system was dominated by Daphnia spp., but all zooplankton groups decreased as inflows and outflows accelerated during the recovery and flood periods. Rotifer abundances were higher under turbulent conditions associated with dam operations. Canonical correlation analyses suggested that temperature, water residence time, station depth, and water clarity explained more variance in the structures of phytoplankton and zooplankton communities than bioavailable nutrient parameters.     

A large reservoir as a source of zooplankton for the river: structure of the populations and influence of fish predation

Within an extensive programme on the Seine river, including the large reservoirs in the upstream basin, zooplankton populations were investigated at the reservoir-river interface to find out their fate when released into the river. Zooplankton structure, abundance and biomass were analysed in the river upstream and downstream from the reservoir, in the release canal and in the reservoir. Whereas the river zooplankton are dominated by rotifers, microcrustaceans represent a large part of the population in the reservoir, because of the longer residence time (6 months). We have shown that the reservoir is a source of zooplankton; we calculated a biomass export of 30-60 tons C year^-1, which is, however, rapidly lost in the river. One of the main loss factors was found to be selective fish predation on larger zooplankton species developed in the reservoir.      

Allochthonous and autochthonous carbon sources for fish in floodplain lagoons of an Australian dryland river

Dryland rivers associated with arid and semi-arid land areas offer an opportunity to explore food web concepts and models of energy sources in systems that experience unpredictable flooding and long dry spells. This study investigated the sources of energy supporting three species of fish feeding at different trophic levels within floodplain lagoons of the Macintyre River in the headwaters of the Murray-Darling river system, Australia. Stable isotope analyses revealed that fish consumers derived, on average, 46.9% of their biomass from zooplankton, 38.1% from Coarse Particulate Organic Matter (CPOM) and 24.0% from algae. Ambassis agassizii derived on average 57.6% of its biomass carbon from zooplankton and 20.4–27.8% from algae or CPOM. Leiopotherapon unicolor derived most of its carbon from zooplankton and CPOM (38.3–39.5%), with relatively high contributions from algae compared to the other species (33.3%). An average of 48.4% of the biomass of Nematalosa erebi was derived from zooplankton, with CPOM contributing another 38.1%. Zooplankton was the most important source of organic carbon supporting all three fish species in floodplain lagoons. Phytoplankton, and possibly, particulate organic matter in the seston, are the most likely energy sources for the planktonic suspension feeders (zooplankton) and, consequently, the fish that feed on them. These results indicate a stronger dependence of consumers on autochthonous sources and on locally produced organic matter from the riparian zone (i.e., the Riverine Productivity Model), than on other resources.     

Distribution of zooplankton during opposite tide fluxes in the lagoon complex of Chelem, Yucatan, Mexico]

Zooplankton was surveyed in a tropical lagoon system of the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in high tide, December (1998) and low tide, March 1999 (northerlies season). Zooplankton biomass was measured, zooplankters were counted, and copepods were identified and quantified. Despite the fact that both months were influenced by winds from the North, they showed a different salinity gradient which developed a particular structure of the zooplankton community. Biomass tended to be accumulated in certain areas apparently because of the high residence time of water in Chelem, the forcing effect of the northerlies, and of the tidal current. Biomass values suggest a relatively high secondary production when compared with other systems of the Yucatan Peninsula. The distribution of the copepods Acartia lilljeborgii and A. tonsa is related to saline conditions and tidal flow. The overall faunistic and hydrologic data suggest that even during a single climatic season, the zooplankton community shows strong changes due to mesoscale hydrological processes.     

Impact of turbulence on riverine zooplankton: a mesocosm experiment

1. With increases in river discharge over time and space, zooplankton generally encounter increased turbulence, turbidity, hydraulic forces, downstream advection and food limitations, all of which should affect species diversity and densities. Of these factors, the role of turbulence on the distribution of zooplankton is least known along longitudinal and lateral dimensions in river networks. 2. We tested the factorial effects of turbulence and grazing level on Ohio River potamoplankton in spring and summer using twelve 1600‐L, outdoor mesocosms. Turbulence was calculated using the Froude number for equal depths but with current velocities of 0.064 and 0.32 m s^?1. Grazing levels corresponded to a high density treatment (=ambient river densities of rotifers, copepods and cladocerans) and a low density treatment (initially no zooplankton >64 μm). All tanks had the same water residence time, and hydraulic stress was minimized by circular flow patterns. 3. Zooplankton densities and population growth rates were significantly affected by turbulence level and season. In general, rotifer populations grew faster in high turbulence tanks (though Keratella and Brachionus populations flourished in both treatments in summer) and microcrustaceans thrived better in low turbulence environments. The larger, calanoid copepods handled more turbulent conditions much better than cyclopoids or nauplii. Zooplankton had no detectable effects on particulate organic carbon concentrations in either month (values were higher in spring), but rotifers reduced chlorophyll concentrations in both months. 4. The relative importance of turbulence in controlling potamoplankton is probably to vary not only on a longitudinal basis in river networks but also with both the hydrogeomorphic complexity of river reaches and the type and amount of river regulation. Plans for river rehabilitation and management should incorporate non‐turbulent habitats in large rivers as a means of enhancing zooplankton populations and providing an important food web component for planktivores.     

Hydrological Connectivity as a Shaping Force in the Zooplankton Community of Two Lakes in the Paraná River Floodplain

Zooplankton in two river‐lake systems of the Paraná River (Argentina) floodplain were studied during ordinary hydrological situations as well as during an extreme flood (El Niño event) over a period of more than 20 years. The studied lakes were selected because of their position at opposite ends of a surface connectivity gradient. Los Matadores Lake, with high connectivity, has a direct connection to the river via a short channel that is active during a large part of the year. At the other extreme, the low connectivity El Tigre Lake has an indirect connection to the river through a swampy area that is only active for short periods. During ordinary hydrologic periods, zooplankton abundance and species richness appear to be controlled by the degree of connectivity of the lakes. Abundance was higher in El Tigre, which is isolated for longer periods and consequently has a longer water‐residence time. Contrary to expectations, species richness was also higher in this lake, a result that was surprising because water bodies with low conectivity/disturbance are predicted to have a lower biodiversity. This unexpected outcome reflects the nature of the connecting route, which crosses a long and complex swampy ecotone. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The Impact of Fish Predation and Cyanobacteria on Zooplankton Size Structure in 96 Subtropical Lakes

Zooplankton are relatively small in size in the subtropical regions. This characteristic has been attributed to intense predation pressure, high nutrient loading and cyanobacterial biomass. To provide further information on the effect of predation and cyanobacteria on zooplankton size structure, we analyzed data from 96 shallow aquaculture lakes along the Yangtze River. Contrary to former studies, both principal components analysis and multiple regression analysis showed that the mean zooplankton size was positively related to fish yield. The studied lakes were grouped into three types, namely, natural fishing lakes with low nutrient loading (Type1), planktivorous fish-dominated lakes (Type 2), and eutrophic lakes with high cyanobacterial biomass (Type 3). A marked difference in zooplankton size structure was found among these groups. The greatest mean zooplankton size was observed in Type 2 lakes, but zooplankton density was the lowest. Zooplankton abundance was highest in Type 3 lakes and increased with increasing cyanobacterial biomass. Zooplankton mean size was negatively correlated with cyanobacterial biomass. No obvious trends were found in Type 1 lakes. These results were reflected by the normalized biomass size spectrum, which showed a unimodal shape with a peak at medium sizes in Type 2 lakes and a peak at small sizes in Type 3 lakes. These results indicated a relative increase in medium-sized and small-sized species in Types 2 and 3 lakes, respectively. Our results suggested that fish predation might have a negative effect on zooplankton abundance but a positive effect on zooplankton size structure. High cyanobacterial biomass most likely caused a decline in the zooplankton size and encouraged the proliferation of small zooplankton. We suggest that both planktivorous fish and cyanobacteria have substantial effects on the shaping of zooplankton community, particularly in the lakes in the eastern plain along the Yangtze River where aquaculture is widespread and nutrient loading is high.     

Zooplankton abundance in the River Danube, Austria: the significance of inshore retention

1. Zooplankton density was examined in a free-flowing section of the River Danube, Austria. Spatial and temporal patterns were used to identify mechanisms regulating zooplankton dynamics. 2. Zooplankton abundance differed significantly between sampling sites. These differences were the result of variations in water residence time within the habitats. Inshore habitats with low flushing rates act as storage zones for zooplankton. 3. The hydrological conditions govern the number and size of storage zones. In the study area, the highest availability of storage zones was observed at medium water level. 4. Total zooplankton numbers, total rotifer numbers and the densities of the most abundant rotifer taxa were significantly positively related to the availability of adjacent storage zones. 5. The present authors propose that inshore retention capacity, and the hydrological processes and mechanisms controlling the extent of inshore retention may be of major significance in regulated rivers with high water velocities, preventing substantial zooplankton growth in the main channel.     

A diel study of carbon flow in the pelagic zone of a small lava-lakelet on Marion Island (sub-Antarctic)

Summary Various biotic and abiotic measurements were made over a 48-h period in a small lava-lakelet on the sub-Antarctic Marion Island. Typical oligotrophic conditions prevailed, with low biomass values and rates of productivity for the phytoplankton and bacteria. The bacteria and phytoplankton were subject to heavy zooplankton grazing pressures, which in turn were responsible for rapid carbon turnover rates in the lavalakelet. Diel cycles were observed in bacterial production and algal photosynthesis, with higher rates during the day time. No definite pattern could be seen for the zooplankton, either in terms of filtering rates or migratory activities. Phytoplankton productivity and zooplankton grazing and respiration were responsible for the greatest flow of carbon. Zooplankton occupied the top of the intermediate food chain and dominated the live organic carbon content of the water. A cycling index of 44% indicated a fairly closed system where most components were important in determining the overall structure of the system.     

枯水季节赣江近岸水洼与浅滩中浮游动物的群落差异

为探究水洼与邻近浅滩中浮游动物群落是否存在差异, 于2015年1月22日和3月1日, 选择赣江南昌段的3个水洼和邻近浅滩采集浮游动物, 对浮游动物的物种组成、密度、生物量、多样性指数和群落结构进行比较研究。通过单因子方差分析(One-way ANOVA)检验水洼与浅滩中水环境因子及浮游动物密度和生物量的差异。使用非度量多维尺度分析(Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling, NMDS)和群落相似性分析(Analysis of similarity, ANOSIM)对暂时性水洼及邻近浅滩的浮游动物群落进行排序。1月和3月共发现浮游动物44种, 轮虫有30种, 占总捕获数的68%。枝角类和桡足类各有7种, 分别占总捕获数的16%。相对重要性指数(Index of relative importance, IRI)大于1000的优势物种有5种, 分别为汤匙华哲水蚤Sinocalanus dorrii、长肢多肢轮虫Polyarthra dolichoptera、桡足类无节幼体Copepod nauplii、角突臂尾轮虫Brachionus angularis和长圆疣毛轮虫Synchaeta oblonga。单因子方差分析表明, 1月份水洼的水深、电导率和总氮含量显著高于浅滩(P<0.05), 浅滩的水温、pH、溶解氧、浊度和总磷含量略高于水洼。3月份水洼的水深、pH和总氮含量略高于浅滩, 浅滩的溶解氧、浊度和总磷含量较水洼高, 水温和电导率在2种水体中非常接近。1月份水洼中浮游动物的密度(7.90 ind./L)和生物量(7.78 μg/L)均低于浅滩(9.34 ind./L, 19.03 μg/L), 3月份水洼中浮游动物的密度(24.27 ind./L)和生物量(332.14 μg/L)均高于浅滩(22.86 ind./L, 146.10 μg/L)。浅滩中浮游动物的多样性指数(H′)、均匀度指数(J)和物种丰富度指数(D)均大于水洼。非度量多维尺度分析和群落相似性分析表明, 仅1月份水洼与浅滩的浮游动物群落结构具有边缘显著差异(P=0.067), 可大致划分为2个: 水洼群落和浅滩群落。3月份由于水位上涨, 研究的水洼与赣江河道处于连通或半连通状态, 2种生境中浮游动物群落结构无显著差异(P=0.313)。斯皮尔曼相关分析(Spearman correlation coefficient)发现水深和溶解氧是导致水洼和浅滩中浮游动物密度差异的主要环境因子。2种生境中浮游动物的密度与pH、电导率、总氮和总磷均具有显著相关性(P<0.05)。     

Zooplankton communities of inter-connected sections of lower River Oder (NW Poland)

The aim of this study was the determination and comparative analysis of the zooplankton communities between the inter-connected sections of the lower Oder river in relation to physicochemical factors. The study was performed at five sites of Oder. Two sites were localized in the main channel of Oder (East Oder), other sites were localized in the west arm of Oder and at the beginning of the canal carrying the post-cooling water from the power plant, and the last site was below at the shallow channel joining the Western Oder with the Eastern Oder. At the channel site in which the two arms of the river are connected a significantly higher taxa number, abundance and biomass of crustaceans was observed than at the other sites. The taxonomic similarity index between all sites was at a rather low level. The Pearson’s coefficient, multiple regression analysis and CCA showed that temperature, conductivity and content of nitrates had the strongest impact on the abundance of zooplankton. Thus, in lower, slowly flowing section of River Oder the physico-chemical variables influenced zooplankton density. Post-cooling water from the power plant influenced the zooplankton communities only in the channel discharging the waters into the river, while its influence on the zooplankton in the Oder is insignificant.     

Response of plankton to nutrients,planktivory and terrestrial organic matter: a model analysis of whole‐lake experiments

Terrestrial organic matter can be assimilated by aquatic consumers but implications for biomass and production are unresolved. An ecosystem model was fit to estimate effects of phosphorus (P) load, planktivory, and supply rate of terrestrial particulate organic carbon (TPOC) on phytoplankton and zooplankton in five whole‐lake experiments. Phytoplankton biomass increased with P load and planktivory and decreased with TPOC supply rate. Zooplankton biomass increased with P load and responded weakly to planktivory and TPOC supply rate. Zooplankton allochthony (proportion of carbon from terrestrial sources) decreased with P load and planktivory and increased with TPOC supply rate. Lakes with low allochthony (< 0.3) had wide ranges of phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass and production, depending on P load and planktivory. Lakes with high allochthony (> 0.3) had low biomass and production of both phytoplankton and zooplankton. In summary, terrestrial OC inhibits primary production and is a relatively low‐quality food source for zooplankton.     

Freshwater zooplankton in the Hawkesbury-Nepean River: comparison of community structure with other rivers

The Hawkesbury-Nepean River is a regulated coastal river in New South Wales, Australia. Between March 1992 and March 1993, the freshwater portion of the river was inhabited by a taxonomically rich (total: 116 taxa) and dense (annual mean community density: up to 1024 animals l-1) microzooplankton community, comparable to that in some of the large regulated temperate rivers in the Northern Hemisphere. The common zooplankton taxa in the river were similar to those observed in other rivers at the genus or species level, with a characteristic increase in protists ( Vorticella spp.) towards the downstream reaches of the river. Zooplankton community density in the Hawkesbury-Nepean River was, to some degree, predictable from river environmental variables: density was significantly negatively correlated with river flow rate but positively correlated with temperature, turbidity, conductivity, total phosphorus and chlorophyll a. The results of the present study generally conform to the hypothesis of similar structure of zooplankton communities in rivers, relative to that in lakes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Kinetics of zooplankton in an aquatic continuum: from the Marne River and reservoir to the Seine estuary

A study was carried out within a 700-km river sector, including three types of ecosystems (a reservoir, a river and its estuary) to characterise the major features of zooplankton communities in the Seine Basin. In rivers, zooplankton biomass becomes significant only when the growth rate of the organisms is higher than the dilution rate (4-5th orders rivers, according to River Continuum Concept). Upstream, short residence times favour the development of small species (Rotifers) with low individual body weight and biomass. Conversely, larger species (microcrustaceans) develop more downstream, where increased residence time leads to autochthonous production (Riverine Productivity Model). Such a pattern is greatly modified by human impact. Zooplankton input from the Marne reservoir represents one type of disruption in the general upstream-downstream trend (according to the Serial Discontinuity Concept). This reservoir is a source of microcrustaceans; they rapidly disappear mainly through fish predation, and therefore have little impact on the river phytoplankton. Discontinuities, such as confluences, have a relatively small effect on the stock of zooplankton with regard to the water release from the reservoir, but they persist more downstream, because they have the same lotic origin. A few microhabitats with macrophytes play a small role for this canalised river, but they can modify locally the plankton community structure and composition. As a whole, the flux of zooplankton rises exponentially, whereas discharge increases linearly from upstream (4th order) to downstream (8th order). In the canalised sectors, Dreissena larvae build up an important biomass, adding to that of the zooplankton sensu stricto. Especially abundant in the downstream sector of the Marne and Seine Rivers, the larvae show a widespread colonisation of the benthic substrates by the adult Dreissena. One of the largest mussel colonies in the middle estuary can contribute to a rapid decrease of zooplankton. Estuary ecosystems form a transitional zone between freshwater and seawater, with zooplankton dynamics closely linked to the particular conditions on this part of the river system.