engleski

Zooplankton traits vs. environmental conditions within intra-decadal scale assessment in Lake Ohrid (North Macedonia, SE Europe)

Multiple anthropogenic impacts, especially tourism, urbanization and fishery, could affect ecosystem integrity even in nature-protected area, as is recently observed in Ohrid-Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (North Macedonia and Albania). Zooplankton assemblages, i.e. Rotifera, Cladocera and Copepoda, are significant indicators of environmental alterations due to their essential role in aquatic food webs, as pivotal organisms between nutrient resources, primary producers and higher trophic levels. Main traits, diversity, abundance, biomass and functional feeding guilds of pelagial zooplankton assemblages in oligotrophic Lake Ohrid was assessed in relation to main environmental drivers. Two endemic copepods, calanoid Arctodiaptomus steindachneri (Richard, 1897) and cyclopoid Cyclops ochridanus Kiefer, 1932. Both species are phytoplankton grazers and enhanced balance within food webs. However, increasing of organic matter indicate on higher abundance of detritivorous, rotifer and cladoceran species. The most abundant rotifer was microphagous species Kellicottia longispina (Kellicott, 1879). Our results suggested the significant importance of zooplankton for the essential preservation of globally unique ecosystem, supporting sustainable development and the conservation of species.

assemblages, functional feeding guilds, indicators, nutrient resources, trophic levels

Deptartment of Zooplankton, Hydrobiological Institute, North Macedonia