Zooplankton Diversity at Pearl Shell Cultivation Locations on Bintangor Island, Teluk Kabung, Padang City

Abstract

Given the very important role of zooplankton in aquatic ecosystems, a study was conducted with the aim of analyzing the diversity of zooplankton which includes species, abundance and ecological index as well as water quality on Bintangor Island, Teluk Kabung. Zooplankton is one of the biota that has an important role because it acts as a linking link between primary producers and biota at a higher trophic level. Zooplankton is also one component in the food chain which is measured in relation to the production value of an ecosystem. This is because zooplankton has a dual role as both the first level consumer and the second level consumer, which is the link between plankton and nekton. Zooplankton can only live and thrive in suitable water conditions. If the environmental conditions are suitable, the zooplankton will grow and develop properly. Data was collected by survey at 3 observation stations determined by a simple random technique. The results showed that the type and abundance of zooplankton found on Bintangor Island, Teluk Kabung, Padang City was quite varied with the number of species as many as 15 which were divided into 7 classes. Based on the calculation of the ecological index shows that the abundance of zooplankton in the category of waters that are less stable.