Biodiversity and structure of zooplankton communities in the Yantarnyi water-flooded quarry (Kaliningrad region, Russia)

Abstract

To study the biodiversity and quantitative development of zooplankton, in vestigations were conducted in the Yantarnyi water-flooded quarry in Kaliningrad region in 2011 and 2023–2024. Due to its quarry origin, this water body has a relatively large surface area and high depth. The study included hydrochemical analysis of the water, determination of the taxonomic composition of zooplankton communities, their quantitative indicators, and calculation of the Shannon diversity index for areas with macrophytes and for open water. It was established that Cladocera dominate the quarry in terms of the number of species found, abundance, and biomass. Despite the small projective cover of aquatic vegetation, species diversity is higher in macrophyte stands due to a greater number of Rotifera species and species characteristic of these biotopes. Low mortality rates of zooplankton were recorded in the Yantarnyi water-flooded quarry, indicating favorable conditions for planktonic communities. This is confirmed by the results of hydrochemical analysis, which classify this water body as oligosaprobic.