Abstract
Understanding interannual variation of zooplankton communities is a mean for assessment and monitoring of aquatic ecosystems. For this reason, we monitored the zooplankton community of the Sfax saltern (Tunisia) during four years (2000–2003). A multivariate method, the “STATICO analysis” was used to investigate the effect of environmental parameters on the abundance, distribution and composition of the zooplankton community according to time, in three ponds with different salinity values. The results revealed some seasonal and interannual variations of the zooplankton community. Copepods, which were the most abundant zooplankton species, were clearly influenced by the nutrient content variation (higher in spring and autumn) and the anthropogenic pollution level in each pond but their distribution was mainly related to salinity changes. In autumn, Oithona nana (Cyclopoida) proliferated in the least salty pond, Microsetella sp. (Harpacticoida) was abundant at intermediate salinity; and Harpacticus littoralis and Bryocamptus sp. (Harpacticoida) proliferated in the saltiest pond.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.