A Review on Zooplankton Diversity with Reference to Physico-Chemical Parameters of Lentic Ecosystems in Maharashtra

Abstract

Zooplanktons are diverse organisms, are found more or less in all water bodies. The plankton research is a highly helpful technique for determining the biotic potential of water bodies and adds to the overall calculation of their biotic nature and general economic potential.  Zooplanktons are microscopic, free-floating organisms that are essential to the functioning of aquatic ecosystems.  As the most crucial link in the energy transfer between phytoplankton and higher aquatic animals, zooplanktons are significant biotic components and play a significant role in the aquatic environment. The functioning of an aquatic ecosystem's food chains, food webs, energy flow, and nutrient cycling are all influenced by zooplankton. Zooplankton populations are excellent indicators of the stability of the food chain. Numerous environmental parameters, including pH, temperature, salinity, oxygen, and others, have an impact on zooplankton. The food chain and the flow of energy between the primary and tertiary trophic levels are both significantly influenced by zooplankton. They serve as indicators of the physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring in aquatic systems due to their high densities. Because they are highly sensitive to environmental change, changes in the abundance of certain species or in the makeup of certain communities can be used to gauge the health of the environment. An assessment of the literature on zooplanktons in Indian lentic water has been done in the current work, which has long been deemed necessary in this subject.