Rotifer trophic state indices as ecosystem indicators in brackish coastal waters

Abstract

Thanks to their short life cycles, rotifers react rapidly to changes in environmental conditions and so may be useful for biological monitoring. The objective of this paper was to investigate the applicability of rotifer trophic state indices as indicators of the trophic state of brackish waters, as exemplified by the Vistula Lagoon. Carried out in summer from 2007 to 2011, this study showed no significant correlation between the Lagoon's trophic state and the rotifer structure. This confirms the limited applicability of rotifer trophic state indices for evaluating water quality in brackish water bodies.

Keywords

• Rotifers
• Trophic state index
• Brackish waters
• Indicator species
• Zooplankton
• Vistula Lagoon