Zooplankton community response to reservoir aging

Abstract

Changes in zooplankton diversity and density in response to reservoir aging in Pawnee Reservoir were investigated. Zooplankton samples collected from April 1992 through April 1993, were compared to a similar study conducted after initial impoundment by Helzer (1971), in 1968–1970. Since this initial study, increases in turbidity and resulting changes in biotic interactions significantly altered the zooplankton community. A significant increase in total zooplankton density and a decrease in species richness were observed between study periods. Density increased from 24.6 to 95.4 individuals L−1, while the number of taxa declined from fourteen to ten. During this time period, Cyclops vernalis became the dominant zooplankter in the reservoir. The density of this predatory copepod increased significantly, from ≤ 0.1 l−1 in 1968–1970, to 44.3 l−1 in 1992–1993, which accounted for most of the increase in total zooplankton density. Though a greater spring maximum of another dominant, Bosmina spp. was found during the 1992–1993 study period, the annual density of this cladoceran was not significantly different between study periods. Similar trends for Daphnia ambigua and D. parvula were also observed, as greater spring maxima levels were attained, however overall annual densities were not significantly different. The dominance of C. vernalis (46% of annual density) and Bosmina spp. (33%), indicate that these two zooplankters were tolerant of changes in physical conditions resulting from reservoir aging and biotic interactions that followed in the reservoir during the 22 years between study periods.