Rising temperatures, changing waters: The influence of abiotic factors on freshwater zooplankton community

In recent years, anthropogenic pollution caused changes in environmental conditions, influencing the community structure and biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems. Biological monitoring of organisms and understanding the effects of environmental factors on these communities are critical for a comprehensive analysis of ecosystem dynamics. Therefore, in this study, zooplankton samples were collected from 60 locations, like lakes, dams, and troughs. Identified species are Rotifera (58), Cladocera (12), and Copepoda (4). The zooplankton community structure and its relationship with abiotic parameters were examined using Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) with multivariate statistics and Cluster Analysis, conducted to identify similar species based on their assemblage composition. CCA revealed the main abiotic variables affecting zooplankton distribution: temperature (T), salinity (Sal), turbidity (Turbid), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and electrical conductivity (EC). Whereas turbidity shows a positive correlation with Pompolyx sulcata , Filinia longiseta , Trichocerca pusilla , Keratella quadrata , and Polyarthra vulgaris , pH and DO does so with Anureopsis fissa , Keratella cochlearis , Pleuroxus aduncus , and Canthocamptus staphylinus . EC has a positive correlation with Cephalodella gibba and Philodina megalotrocha . The study's findings allow the determination of trophic levels (oligotrophic, mesotrophic, or eutrophic) of freshwater examining the snapshot effects of key stress factors in the freshwater bodies on the zooplankton community structure.