Influence of Seasonal Variations in Physico-Chemical Parameters and Zooplankton diversity in Jorpukhuri Temple Pond, Guwahati, Assam, India

Zooplankton biodiversity serves as an ecological indicator of aquatic environment due to their rapid response according to environmental changes. The present study deals with the impact of seasonal changes on zooplankton biodiversity, and was conducted in Jorpukhuri, a freshwater temple pond located near Ugratara temple, Ujanbazar, Guwahati, Assam from December 2021 to November 2022. The data from Jorpukhuri reveal notable variations in zooplankton populations across the year. Rotifera and Cladocera species exhibit consistent trends of decreasing population levels from Summer to Monsoon, while Copepoda populations demonstrate mixed patterns across seasons. Species richness data highlights Rotifera as the most diverse group (41%), followed by Cladocera (36%) and Copepoda (23%). Correlation analysis indicates a significant positive relationship between water temperature and species richness, while water pH shows a nonsignificant positive correlation. Conversely, there is a significant negative correlation between BOD levels and species richness, suggesting the detrimental impact of organic pollution on species diversity. Free CO2 levels show a non-significant positive correlation with species richness. These findings underscore the complex dynamics of zooplankton communities in response to seasonal and environmental changes in Jorpukhuri.