The hidden impact of global warming on the structure and dynamics of zooplankton communities in freshwater habitats

This study investigates the impact of global warming on zooplankton community structure in freshwater ecosystems, focusing on the relationship between zooplankton species and environmental factors. Due to rising temperatures and environmental changes, zooplankton are reducing in body size, leading to the appearance of smaller opportunistic species such as rotifers, known for their tolerance to extreme conditions Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) identified some abiotic factors that impact species, such as temperature (T), dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), salinity, turbidity (Turb) and pH as significantly influencing zooplankton distribution and diversity. A high diversity of Rotifera species, primarily benthic and cosmopolitan, was observed, commonly found in Turkey's freshwater littoral zones. Cluster analysis emphasizes similarities and differences in species composition sampling site, and complex interactions of abiotic factors that shape zooplankton communities. Global warming supports smaller zooplankton species with changing community structure and reducing their body size. As zooplankton are integral to the aquatic food chain, changes in their populations could impact the dynamics of trophic relationships and the balance of ecosystems. In the study emphasizes the need for comprehensive future research on both abiotic and biotic factors to improve our knowledge of how aquatic ecosystems respond to climate change.