Effect of Riparian Land-Use and Water Chemistry on Zooplankton Distribution

Abstract

The effect of the riparian land use on zooplankton distribution of Kwadon stream was studied over a period of six months. A total of 61,581 zooplankton species were found belonging to the different taxa of Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Ephemeroptera and Pieces. Baikaloperia sp. was ranked as the most abundant species in the four identified taxa. Three sampling stations were chosen for this study, and site A yields the highest species diversity of 31,197 than sites B (23,768) and C (9,594). The physicochemical parameters determined are temperature; turbidity, pH, dissolve oxygen, nitrate, phosphorus, conductivity and alkalinity. The variation of these parameters was found to affect the zooplankton distribution. Kwadon stream constitutes an important water body that provides sources of water for domestic and irrigational usage to the local community; as such the significance of this study is regarding the investigation of most tolerant zooplankton species which can contribute to the effort in finding an efficient zooplankton species for indicating the pollution level of a particular water body.