Spatio-temporal distribution of zooplankton in Chilka lake- A Ramsar site on the Indian east coast.

Abstract

The spatio-temporal variation in zooplankton species composition, population density and relative abundance in Chilka lake studied during pre-monsoon (May), monsoon (August) and post-monsoon (October) showed conspicuous fluctuations. The average population density varied between 218 and 1296 org. m-3; while the biomass values ranged from 1.72- 3.30 g m-3. Copepods, chaetognaths, cladocerans, mysids, lucifers, euphausids, siphonophores and sergestids have emerged as dominant groups. Copepods alone contributed nearly 70% of total density. The distribution of zooplankton found to be significantly influenced by salinity variations. Role of other physico-chemical parameters and food supply could also be taken as important factors influencing the sector wise distribution of zooplankton in the lake system. Keywords: Chilka lake, zooplankton, biomass, abundance