A Review on Seasonal Variations in Zooplankton Abundance and Diversity in Freshwater Ecosystem of Maharashtra, India

Abstract Zooplankton are essential for nutrient cycling and aquatic food webs, making them an essential component of freshwater ecosystems. This study focuses on the seasonal variation of zooplankton populations in Maharashtra, India, throughout the pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons. Anthropogenic influences like as pollution, eutrophication, and habitat modification exacerbate alterations in zooplankton diversity, while climate change further jeopardizes biodiversity by disrupting ecological balance. Alongside identifying research requirements and unique patterns in Maharashtra's aquatic ecosystems, comparative evaluations with other regions advocate for the utilization of advanced technologies such as GIS and molecular methods in forthcoming investigations. Understanding periodic variations was essential for the conservation of freshwater biodiversity and the sustainable management of aquatic resources under shifting climate circumstances. Zooplankton play a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance within freshwater ecosystems through their involvement in nutrient cycling, energy flow, and trophic interactions. This review highlights the seasonal dynamics of zooplankton abundance and diversity across pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon periods in the freshwater bodies of Maharashtra, India. The study emphasizes the influence of physicochemical factors such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and nutrient availability, alongside anthropogenic stressors like pollution and eutrophication. Findings reveal that zooplankton populations exhibit significant temporal shifts, with peak diversity and density often observed post-monsoon. Certain taxa also serve as effective bioindicators of water quality. The review advocates for integrated ecosystem monitoring using advanced tools such as GIS, molecular techniques, and remote sensing to better understand zooplankton ecology under climate change scenarios. These insights are crucial for sustainable water resource management and the conservation of aquatic biodiversity in tropical regions.