Analysis of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Relation to Environmental Variables of Lake Gala, a National Park of Turkey

Abstract

In order to determine the relationships between the dynamics of benthic macroinvertebrates (both species number and individual number) and environmental variables, sampling was made at four different stations at monthly intervals during a year between March 2004 and January 2005 of Lake Gala which is a part of an important wetland and a national park in European part of Turkey (Enez/Edirne). Altogether, a total of 49 zoobenthic taxa which were grouped as Oligochaeta, Chironomidae, and Varia, comprised of 1,628 individuals in per m2 at average were recognised in the sampling stations of the Lake. The present study showed that larval chironomids comprising 57% abundance of the total specimens are the biggest part of benthic macroinvertebrates. It is followed by oligochaetes and the group varia comprising 34% and 9% abundance, respectively. Also, it was seen changing that the composition of zoobenthic group dominancy in the Lake as time passes. Furthermore, according to Shannon-Weaner index, species diversity for zoobenthic macroinvertebrate fauna of the lake was found as H'=1.21 at average. Also, similarities of the sampling stations and months, both the dynamics of benthic macroinvertebrates and physicochemical features were evaluated by using Bray-Curtis similarity index. According to Spearman correlation index, relationship between the number of individuals and some physicochemical variables such as temperature, turbidity (light permeability), and depth of the lake was determined statistically significant.