Abstract
In the European Water Framework Directive, zooplankton was not included as a Biological Quality Element despite its important place in the aquatic trophic web. In the present study on zooplankton abundances and biomasses, we used several metrics to test their ability to detect differences among trophic statuses and ecological potential levels, and collected a large sum of data in more than 60 reservoirs at Ebro watershed, on more than 300 sampling occasions over 10 years. Our results indicate that most zooplankton metrics are correlated to environmental variables that determine reservoirs’ trophic states, especially chlorophyll a and total phosphorus. The metrics with better sensitivity to differentiate trophic states and ecological potential levels were ZOO (total zooplankton), LZOO (large zooplankton), CLAD (cladocerans), and ZOO:CHLA (zooplankton:chlorophyll a ratio). Microcrustacean metrics such as DAPHN (Daphnia), COP (copepods), CYCLO (cyclopoids), and CALA (calanoids) were good at differentiating between high and low water quality in trophic status (oligotrophic–eutrophic) and ecological potential (good or superior–moderate). Thus, zooplankton can be used as a valuable tool to determine water quality; we believe that zooplankton should be considered a Biological Quality Element within Water Framework Directive monitoring programs for inland waters.
Highlights
Water resources such as natural lakes and man-made reservoirs have been vital in supporting the increase in population growth, agricultural productivity, industrial activity, and economic development [1]
The complete data related to the trophic state and ecological potential of each reservoir can be found in
The current study presents data from reservoirs widely distributed at the Ebro watershed, located in the Mediterranean area
Summary
Water resources such as natural lakes and man-made reservoirs have been vital in supporting the increase in population growth, agricultural productivity, industrial activity, and economic development [1]. A high pressure on water resources is present around the world due to the previous factors in unison with climate change and freshwater cultural eutrophication [2]. This cultural eutrophication is mainly an input increment of nitrogen and phosphorus into waterbodies or catchment basin areas, and primarily caused by industrial activity [3]. These high inputs and rising temperatures tend to intensify eutrophication and lead to cyanobacterial blooms, floating plant predominance, dissolved oxygen decrement, and, low water quality [4].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
