Zooplankton Composition and Ecology in Western Boreal Shallow-water Wetlands

摘要: Zooplankton are a functionally important but poorly studied component of western boreal forest (WBF) wetland ecosystems. To characterize patterns in zooplankton abundance and composition an exploratory study 24 shallow-water wetlands northern Alberta, Canada was carried out over the summers 2001 2002. Results suggest communities WBF tend to exist as: (1) small-cladoceran dominated communities, (2) larger sized cladoceran (e.g. Daphnia) or (3) composed primarily rotifers and/or other crustacean zooplankton. The presence/absence brook stickleback (Culea inconstans) factor most strongly linked structure with small cladocerans tending dominate stickleback. In fishless wetlands, by medium-large tended correspond low-chlorophyll/high-submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) conditions. Conversely, crustaceans were associated high-chlorophyll/low-SAV states. Macro-invertebrate predator not suggesting macro-invertebrate predation is significant influencing wetlands. activities that spread ditching) inhibit development macrophyte-dominated/clear-water conditions nutrient loading) may seriously alter community structure, thereby functional ecology, these valuable