Cyclopoid copepods as bioindicators of eutrophication in reservoirs: Do patterns hold for large spatial extents?

Abstract

a b s t r a c tSome species of copepods are sensitive to water quality oscillations from natural or anthropogenic causes. Information on basic ecological attributes such as abundance can be helpful in the context of hydric resources monitoring. Our study analyzed if the abundance of 22 copepod species of the second largest basin of South America was more associated with variables oscillating by natural or anthropic causes, contrasting among oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and eutrophic reservoirs. Our aim was to identify and understand the abundance of species with potential to monitor water quality in large scale assessments. Potential bioindicators would have different abundances in eutrophic, mesotrophic and oligotrophic sites and would not oscillate according to natural characteristics of reservoirs (water temperature, air temperature, and depth). Two species were sensitive to eutrophication and were not related to natural characteristics of reservoirs, that is, they were suitable for biomonitoring the La Plata Basin. Thermocyclops minutus negatively responded to eutrophication, while Acanthocyclops robustus responded positively. Additional exploratory analyses identified that Copepod abundance was related to total phosphorus, chlorophyll-a concentration, water transparency, total suspended matter, and depth. Metacyclops mendocinus, Acanthocyclops robustus, Mesocyclops meridianus, Mesocyclops ogunnus, and Thermocyclops decipiens were abundant in eutrophic reservoirs, and Thermocyclops minutus, and Thermocyclops inversus were associated with higher water transparency, typically oligo/mesotrophic reservoirs. Overall, we found that cyclopoids are highly affected by eutrophication, and species abundance could be used to monitor reservoirs and anticipate potential impacts on water quality in large-scale biomonitoring schemes.

Application of multiple-use indices to assess reservoirs water quality and the use of plankton community data for biomonitoring purposes

“…22 The selection of zooplankton metrics is based on regional studies carried out in reservoirs with different trophic states. 16,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] For all index calculations we used the variables mean values for the water column, except transparency.…”

Comunidade zooplanctônica e sua relação com a qualidade da água em reservatórios do Estado de São Paulo

“…Os crustáceos ciclopóides podem se adaptar a diferentes ambientes e possuem amplo espectro alimentar (Landa et al, 2007, Perbiche-Neves et al, 2007. O grupo mencionado é considerado uma ferramenta auxiliar no monitoramento do estado trófico de ambientes aquáticos (Landa et al, 2007;Silva, 2011;Perbiche-Neves et al, 2016). No presente estudo, constatouse que o ciclopóide Mesocylops ogunnus esteve associado a locais eutróficos, como no reservatório Salto Grande.…”

Baixa riqueza zooplanctônica indicando condições adversas de seca e eutrofização em um reservatório no Nordeste do Brasil

“…Muitas espécies zooplanctônicas são bons indicadores da qualidade de água por apresentarem um curto ciclo de vida e boa sensibilidade às variáveis comumente mensuradas, refletindo de forma rápida às mudanças provocadas por ações antrópicas, como o enriquecimento de nutrientes (Matsumura-Tundisi & Tundisi, 2003;Landa et al, 2007). Diversos estudos apontam as espécies de copépodes do gênero Thermocyclops como bastante sensíveis às perturbações tróficas (Landa et al, 2007;Perbiche-Neves et al, 2016), e também algumas espécies de rotíferos e cladóceros (Ghidini et al, 2009;Serafim-Júnior et al, 2010).…”