Abstract
Limnological studies involving physical, chemical and biological aspects, with emphasis on the zooplankton community, were carried out in a saline lake of the Pantanal floodplain, in the subregion of Nhecolândia (Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil), during the dry and wet seasons of the local hydrological cycle. The results show that the lake is not directly affected by the flood-pulse through superficial coalescence, probably receiving groundwater instead. Most of the measured variables showed extremely high values, particularly dissolved salts, pH, conductivity, nutrients and chlorophyll a. These values were highest during the dry period due to the system's low water volume. The zooplankton community was basically represented by Metacyclops mendocinus, which displayed high population densities throughout the periods studied. The low diversity recorded is congruent with other studies on continental saline water-bodies.
Highlights
The Pantanal is a large floodplain whose dynamics are regulated primarily by the flood-pulse, whereby the seasonality of the hydrological regime, characterized by periods of flooding and drought, constitutes the primary factor governing the ecology of these plains
The zooplankton community was sampled using a plankton net with a mesh size of 30 μm, with horizontal net hauls being made at different points for qualitative analysis
Inundated areas, the lakes on this plain show different degrees of coalescence with the system in flood, so that the saline lake in question belongs to the category that only rarely enters into contact with the entire system (Mourão et al, 1988)
Summary
The Pantanal is a large floodplain whose dynamics are regulated primarily by the flood-pulse, whereby the seasonality of the hydrological regime, characterized by periods of flooding and drought, constitutes the primary factor governing the ecology of these plains. Considerable seasonal changes occur in the physical and chemical characteristics of the entire system, giving rise to a great diversity of habitats that favor a high diversity of terrestrial and aquatic plants and animals (Junk et al, 1989). The Pantanal can be divided into subregions, each with specific characteristics and reacting. Differences in amplitude and intensity of the floods between the subregions determine the formation of different types of aquatic ecosystems, amplifying the conditions for the establishment of diverse biological communities in these systems (Heckman, 1996)
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