STUDY OF THE ZOOPLANKTON COMMUNITY AS AN INDICATOR OF THE TROPHIC STATUS OF RESERVOIRS

Abstract

Over the past thirty years human activity has become increasingly uncontrolled. As a result,
the whole water ecosystem is transforming. Unlike natural water bodies, artificial water bodies are
characterized by higher rates of eutrophication. The current paper defines the chorological structure and
biomass of zooplankton communities in the reservoirs of the Chelyabinsk region. It reveals the influence of
the ecological continuum on the formation of the chorological structure of zooplankton in artificial reservoirs.
The given research shows that the total biomass of the representatives of the studied groups of zooplankton in
eutrophic reservoirs is two times less than in mesotrophic. These are the signs that indicate biocenoses
degradation. An increasing anthropogenic load has changed the chorological structure of zooplankton
communities in water bodies. The obtained results show that the proportion of Cladocera in mesotrophic
reservoirs is higher than in eutrophic. The Rotifera group is more common in eutrophic reservoirs than in
mesotrophic ones. Copepods are common to all water bodies. Six taxons out of the predominant are
registered as belonging to the dominant complex (D. cucullata, D. pulex, D. longispinae, Eudiaptomus
graciloides, Thermocyclops oithonoides, Cyclops vicinus). D. cucullata is the only that is registered as a part
of the dominant complex in the vast majority of study periods and spreads as a dominant in five reservoirs.
Keywords: Zooplankton, Eutrophic Reservoirs, Mesotrophic Reservoirs, Biocenoses DegradationOver the past thirty years human activity has become increasingly uncontrolled. As a result,
the whole water ecosystem is transforming. Unlike natural water bodies, artificial water bodies are
characterized by higher rates of eutrophication. The current paper defines the chorological structure and
biomass of zooplankton communities in the reservoirs of the Chelyabinsk region. It reveals the influence of
the ecological continuum on the formation of the chorological structure of zooplankton in artificial reservoirs.
The given research shows that the total biomass of the representatives of the studied groups of zooplankton in
eutrophic reservoirs is two times less than in mesotrophic. These are the signs that indicate biocenoses
degradation. An increasing anthropogenic load has changed the chorological structure of zooplankton
communities in water bodies. The obtained results show that the proportion of Cladocera in mesotrophic
reservoirs is higher than in eutrophic. The Rotifera group is more common in eutrophic reservoirs than in
mesotrophic ones. Copepods are common to all water bodies. Six taxons out of the predominant are
registered as belonging to the dominant complex (D. cucullata, D. pulex, D. longispinae, Eudiaptomus
graciloides, Thermocyclops oithonoides, Cyclops vicinus). D. cucullata is the only that is registered as a part
of the dominant complex in the vast majority of study periods and spreads as a dominant in five reservoirs.