Using the Diversity, Taxonomic and Functional Attributes of a Zooplankton Community to Determine Lake Environmental Typology in the Natural Southern Boreal Lakes (Québec, Canada)

Bernadette Pinel-Alloul,Abir Chemli,Zofia E Taranu,Andrea Bertolo

doi:10.3390/w14040578

Abstract

Herein, we used zooplankton as a study model for determining how biodiversity components as well as taxonomic and functional attributes reflect lake typology in the natural southern boreal lakes. We estimated the regional and local variation in zooplankton diversity and the community structure across a set of fourteen lakes within a national park. Regional diversity (γ diversity) accounted for 40 species including 20 rotifers, 10 cladocerans and 8 copepods. Local diversity (α diversity) averaged 15 species per lake. Spatial variation in β diversity was inversely related to spatial variation in α diversity. Inter-lake variation in zooplankton communities based on taxonomy, functional traits and biotic indices was explained by two major limnological gradients: namely lake trophic status and fish community. The community structure reflected a gradient of rotifer to calanoid copepod dominance in response to trophic status. Several key species of rotifers (Kellicottia longispina and Conochilus unicornis) and of small (Bosmina and Diaphanosoma birgei) or large (Daphnia catawba and Holopedium gibberum cf glacialis) cladocerans were good indicators of lake zooplankton typology, as in other boreal lakes. We distinguished two main groups of lakes: (1) oligotrophic lakes inhabited by brook trout and dominated by the calanoid copepods and (2) mesotrophic lakes inhabited by northern pike and dominated by rotifers. Overall, our study can help managers better define monitoring and conservation strategies for lake ecosystems in natural parks.

Highlights

Introduction published maps and institutional affilCanada has extensive experience in the management of national parks and protected areas, an essential element for the conservation of biodiversity [1]
Our study highlighted the important role of zooplankton as bioindicators of the ecological integrity of lake ecosystems in the Mont-Tremblant National Park (MTNP) lakes
Our study has certain limitations due to the sampling restricted to the pelagic zone of only a few lakes at three sampling dates, we selected bioindicators based on zooplankton attributes to be included in monitoring program assessing the ecological integrity of lakes in national parks

Summary

Introduction

Canada has extensive experience in the management of national parks and protected areas, an essential element for the conservation of biodiversity [1]. National parks constitute biodiversity reserves and natural environments sheltered from major anthropogenic disturbances; their ecological integrity must be preserved for future generations [2]. To ensure greater scientific rigor and better decision-oriented management of these pristine ecosystems, the management of natural parks should rely on research assessing the response of biodiversity to natural environmental heterogeneity. There are still many gaps in the knowledge of biodiversity in national park ecosystems [2]. Most aquatic biodiversity monitoring targets large species such as amphibians and fish [3]. But it very rarely examines microorganisms such as algae and zooplankton, which form the basis of the pelagic food web of lakes [4]. But it very rarely examines microorganisms such as algae and zooplankton, which form the basis of the pelagic food web of lakes [4]. iations.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion