Microaquatic communities as indicators of environmental changes in lake ecosystems

• Main Author: MARIA ŠPOLJAR
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kuwait University 2013-06-01
• Series: Maǧallaẗ al-abḥāṯ al-handasiyyaẗ
• Subjects: Eutrophication; rotifers; trophic state index; guild ratio; deep and shallow lakes; karst; Croatia.
• Online Access: http://pubcouncil.kuniv.edu.kw/jer/files/18Jun20130307332_Microaquatic.pdf

Awareness of preservation of the freshwater resources is recently the most actual global issue. Lakes and ponds with long water residence time are especially sensitive to diverse anthropogenic influences which have led to the degradation of waterbodies. Eutrophication is one of the most pronounced impact strikes standing waters, especially shallow lakes and ponds. Microaquatic organisms were proved as the reliable indicators of the water quality, considered in shallow and deep lakes. This overview reveals rotifers as sentinel organisms of environmental changes. Their diversity, density, biomass and feeding structure could indicate the increase or decrease in the system productivity, i.e. nutrient input (phosphates, nitrates). For the entire hydrosystem assessment, rotifers structure, in relation to other abiotic and biotic factors, responds very quickly to the environmental changes. Accompanyng to biocoenotic indexes rotifers structure is reliable tool in hydrosystem preservation and inhibition of further degradation.