Zooplankton of lakes Borodaevskoe and Ferapontovskoe (Russky Sever (Russian North) National Park)

Abstract

The zooplankton of the lakes Borodaevskoe and Ferapontovskoe (Russky Sever (Russian North) National Park) has been studied in 1975, 2008, and 2021. The zooplankton composition is similar in the lakes. In total, 70 zooplankton species are registered (21 species of Rotifera, Cladocera, 32, Copepoda, 17). The relict species Limnocalanus macrurus has been found earlier in the lakes. The zooplankton abundance is higher in the shallower Lake Borodaevskoye. The ratio of zooplankton groups in the water bodies was similar throughout the study period, with crustaceans as dominating group. The core of dominants includes 5 to 7 species (Kellicottia longispina, Diaphanosoma brachyurum, Daphnia сucullata, D. сristata, Bosmina coregoni, Mesocyclops leuckarti, and Thermocyclops oithonoides). The zooplankton abundance depends on the water temperature. As the latter has increased by 5 °С in summer 2021, there was an increase in the abundance and biomass of zooplankton in deep water areas of the studied lakes.

Keywords

• taxonomic composition
• dominants
• winter and summer zooplankton
• macrophytes
• small lakes
• protected areas