Temporal and spatial dynamics of zooplankton in relation to phytoplankton in Lake Babogaya (Bishoftu guda), Ethiopia.
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Date
2007-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The zooplankton of a crater lake in Ethiopia, Babogaya, was sampled at 3
stations from June 2006 to April 2007 concurrently with phytoplankton
numerical abundance. The spatial and temporal variation in abundance of the
dominant crustaceans, Rotifera, Copepoda and Cladocera is discussed.
Temporal (months, sampling dates) variation was larger than spatial (station)
variation for the mean total zooplankton. All major zooplankton groups showed
temporal variations in abundance, with highest densities during wet (June to
August) and mixing period (November to January), minimum densities after the
end of the big rain in October. Rotifers were the dominant group and made up
almost 71% of the total zooplankton abundance. Rotifers showed a maximum
density during the dry period and declined after the end of the big rains.
Copepods and cladocerans also contributed 23% and 6%, respectively, of the
major total zooplankton abundance of the lake. The maximum vertical
distribution of total zooplankton was observed at the metalimnon region. The
phytoplankton community was dominated by dinoflagllates during the dry
season and there was a shift in dominance to diatoms during the long rainy
period. The dominant phytoplankton showed distinct seasonality. This study is
believed to give a baseline for further research on zooplankton seasonal
variation and production that helps in the understanding of fish production and
proper management in the study lake.
Key words: Lake Babogaya, zooplankton, phytoplankton, temporal dynamics,
vertical migration.
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Keywords
Lake Babogaya, zooplankton, phytoplankton, temporal dynamics, vertical migration