Seasonal dynamics of zooplankton functional group and its relationship with physico-chemical variables in high turbid nutrient-rich Small Xingkai Wetland Lake, Northeast China

Abstract

In this study, the concept of functional traits was used to classify zooplankton into functional groups and their seasonal dynamics were determined in relation to physico-chemical factors in a highly turbid and nutrient-rich wetland. This study revealed a seasonal variation of both physico-chemical factors and biomass of zooplankton functional groups. Water temperature (TEP), total phosphorus (TP), ferrous ion (Fe²⁺) and total carbon (TC) were significantly higher in summer while water transparency (SD) was notably higher in spring. Zooplankton functional group biomass was higher in summer (5.11 mg/L) followed by winter, autumn and spring (0.91, 0.72 and 0.28 mg/L, respectively). Large copepods and cladoceran carnivore (LCC) was the dominant functional group in spring accounting for about 86.7% of the total biomass. In summer, MCF (Middle copepods and cladocerans filter feeders) was the dominant group probably because of the optimal temperature and availability of nutrients. Pearson correlation and RDA analysis results suggested that Fe²⁺, TP and TEP were the major factors influencing zooplankton functional groups. Notably, turbidity was not the main factor despite the fact that Small Xingkai Wetland Lake is a very turbid lake. The variation of zooplankton functional groups among seasons highlights the role of physico-chemical factors in structuring zooplankton composition.

Keywords:

• Zooplankton
• functional group
• physico-chemical
• biomass
• turbidity
• eutrophic

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Liu Hua-jin for his tireless support during field work and our families for their moral support. The authors would like to express their sincere appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for its funding of this research through the Research Group Project No. 1436–11.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Chengxue Ma is the teacher of Northeast Forestry University, China. He is majoring in Hydrobiology. Skills and Expertise: water quality, aquatic ecology, freshwater ecology, aquatic science, wetland science, freshwater biology.

Patteson Chula Mwagona is currently a PhD student at Northeast Forestry University, China. He is majoring in Hydrobiology. Skills and Expertise: water quality, aquatic ecology, freshwater ecology, aquatic science, benthic ecology, aquatic macroinvertebrates, freshwater biology.

Hongxian Yu is a professor of Northeast Forestry University, China. She is majoring in Hydrobiology and Wetland Science. Skills and Expertise: water quality, aquatic ecology, freshwater ecology, wetland ecology.

Xiaowen Sun is a boffin of Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, China. He is majoring in aquatic agriculture. Skills and Expertise: gene map.

Liqun Liang is a boffin of Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, China. He is majoring in aquatic agriculture. Skills and Expertise: mRNA.

Shahid Mahboob is a professor of King Saud University. He is majoring in water environment. Skills and Expertise: heavy metals, fish cholinesterases, collagen, pesticide.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Central-level Non-profit Scientific Research Institute Special Funds [grant number HSY 201511]; The National Key R&D Program of China [grant number 2016YFC0500406].