Diversity of zooplankton in the urban lakes of Yamoussoukro (central Côte d'Ivoire)

The urban lakes of Yamoussoukro, subject to strong anthropic pressure, present an ecological richness that is often overlooked, particularly in terms of zooplankton. This study aims to assess the zooplankton diversity of these aquatic environments in relation to their physico-chemical conditions and surrounding human activities. The six (6) sampling campaigns revealed the presence of four (4) taxonomic groups : Rotifera, Cladocera, Copepoda, and Ostracoda, each playing a specific ecological role in lake food webs. Among these groups, Rotifera are rich in taxa and the most abundant. The composition and abundance of taxa vary between lakes, influenced by factors such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, transparency, and depth. Specific diversity, calculated using the Shannon index, shows low taxonomic richness in the urban lakes of Yamoussoukro, suggesting ecological imbalance. In conclusion, zooplankton appears to be a powerful tool for ecological diagnosis and sustainable management of urban aquatic environments. A better understanding of this biodiversity can contribute to the development of conservation strategies adapted to the local context of Yamoussoukro.