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This research examines how seasonal changes in water quality affect zooplankton community structure in Tumaria Reservoir.

June 12, 2026Open Access

Observation on Zooplankton Community Structure in Tumaria U.S. Nagar Reservoir, Uttarakhand

Key Points

This research examines how seasonal changes in water quality affect zooplankton community structure in Tumaria Reservoir.
Monthly sampling of zooplankton for one year
Assessment of physico-chemical parameters including dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature
Classification of zooplankton into four major groups: Rotifera, Protozoa, Cladocera, and Copepoda
Rotifera showed the highest abundance (110-410 ind/l) and constituted 47.16% of the zooplankton community
Dissolved oxygen ranged from 5.6 mg/l in August to 8.2 mg/l in January, indicating seasonal trends
Zooplankton density peaked in winter and decreased during the rainy season, with marked fluctuations in overall composition.

Abstract

AbstractThe present study investigates the monthly variation, group-wise composition and abundanceof zooplankton in relation to physico-chemical characteristics of Tumaria Reservoir over aone-year period. Zooplankton community comprised four major groups, namely Rotifera,Protozoa, Cladocera and Copepoda, while water quality was assessed through DO, pH,transparency and temperature. Zooplankton abundance showed pronounced seasonalvariation. Rotifera dominated throughout the study, ranging from 110 ind/l (July) to 410 ind./l(December), followed by Protozoa (70-280 ind./l), Cladocera (50-150 ind./l) and Copepoda(18-55 ind/l ). Group-wise percentage composition indicated clear dominance of Rotifera(47.16%), followed by Protozoa (28.55%), Cladocera (17.84%) and Copepoda (6.45%).Physico-chemical parameters exhibited distinct seasonal fluctuations. Dissolved oxygenvaried from 5.6 mg /l (August) to 8.2 mg/ l (January), while water temperature rangedbetween 18.5°C (January) and 30.4°C (June). The pH remained slightly alkaline throughoutthe study period (7.4 -8.1), and water transparency ranged from 35 cm (July) to 55 cm (May).The results revealed clear seasonal fluctuations in environmental variables and zooplanktonabundance. Dissolved oxygen ranged from 0.46 (August) to 0.68 (January), while pH variedbetween 0.61 (December) and 0.67 (June), indicating slightly alkaline conditions throughoutthe study period. Transparency fluctuated from 2.91 (August) to 4.58(May), with higherclarity during summer and lower during the rainy season. Temperature ranged from 1.54(January) to 2.53(June). Zooplankton density showed markedstudy period. Transparencyfluctuated from 2.91 (August) to 4.58 (May), with higher clarity during summer and lowerduring the rainy season. Temperature ranged from 1.54 (January) to 2.53 (June). Zooplanktondensity showed marked temporal variation. Protozoa ranged from 6.25 (July) to 23.33(January), Cladocera from 4.17 (July) to 12.50 (January), Copepoda from 1.50 (July) to4.58(December), and Rotifera from 9.17 (July) to 34.17 (December). Overall, maximumzooplankton abundance was recorded during winter, whereas minimum density occurredduring the rainy season. The study demonstrates that seasonal changes in physico-chemicalconditionssignificantly influence zooplankton community structure and reservoirproductivity.

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