Assessment of Zooplankton Density in Khajikotnoor Reservoir, Kalaburagi District, Karnataka

Abstract : Zooplankton are of prime importance in aquatic systems, playing vital roles as water-quality indicators and having significant influences on food web dynamics. This paper examines the abundance and diversity of zooplankton species in the Khajikotnoor reservoir, which is a vital freshwater body in Khajikotnoor village, Kalaburagi District, Karnataka. The sampling was conducted from January 2024 to December 2024 using conventional methods for the collection of plankton. Later, the zooplanktons collected were analyzed and grouped up to the species level. A total of 26 different zooplankton species were documented. They were grouped under principal groups consisting of Rotifers, Cladocera, Copepods, and Ostracoda. Among them, Rotifers turned out to be the dominant group. The results indicate that the Khajikotnoor reservoir harbours a very diverse population of zooplankton with a relatively healthy aquatic ecosystem. But human activities and eutrophication pose potential threats to the reservoir’s biodiversity. This research highlights the significance of continuous monitoring of zooplankton diversity as a bioindicator in assessing ecological well-being and formulating conservation strategies to protect the aquatic biodiversity of the reservoir.