Diel vertical distribution of zooplankton in Lake Naivasha, Kenya

✍ Scribed by Kenneth M. Mavuti

• Book ID: 104613583
• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 654 KB
• Volume: 232
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1573-5141
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00014609

✦ Synopsis

Diurnal and diel vertical distribution of limnetic zooplankton species in relation to temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles was examined at a central station in Lake Naivasha . During calm days thermal stratification developed gradually from late morning to reach maximum formation at mid-day . Dissolved oxygen concentrations showed similar vertical profiles to temperature . These stratifications were, however, short lived and were broken up in late afternoons by the wind induced poly-holomictic nature of the lake . During the day most zooplankters aggregate at the top 3-4 metre zone of the water column coincident with maximum photosynthetic activity . The pattern of diel vertical distribution of zooplankton in Lake Naivasha is undefinedly even . The absence of significant diel changes in the distribution of the limnetic zooplankton may be related to the absence of permanent physico-chemical boundaries and lack of predation pressure in the open water .