Tolerance limits and ecological optima of mass zooplankton species of lakes in the south of Western Siberia*

Abstract

In the study, the optima and tolerance limits of various zooplankton species in the diverse geochemical conditions of the south of Western Siberia have been calculated. It is shown that in various climatic conditions zooplankton organisms form different limits of halotolerance and adaptability to pH range. In the drainless lakes under study, the optimal values of pH for most mass zooplankton species are within 7.5–8.5. The majority of Rotifera, Cladocera and Cyclopoida do not tolerate salinity above 5 g/l, except for typical halophiles. The halotolerance level of the representatives of the order Calanoida is much higher; for some species, this indicator exceeds 90 g/l.

Keywords

• ecological valence
• abiotic factors
• tolerance range
• ph
• salinity