Long-Term Quantitative and Qualitative Changes in the Zooplankton Community of the Vistula Lagoon

Paturej, E.; Gutkowska, A., and Mierzejewska, J., 2014. Long-term quantitative and qualitative changes in the zooplankton community of the Vistula Lagoon. Changes in environmental conditions, observed over time, exert a significant effect on the structure of ecosystems. The objective of this study was to determine long-term transformations in the qualitative and quantitative composition of the zooplankton community and changes in zooplankton biological diversity in the Vistula Lagoon over 30 years. Samples collected by standard methods in 2007 and 2009 were compared with those collected in 1977 and 1978 by Adamkiewicz-Chojnacka. The changes in the qualitative and quantitative structure in zooplankton were found to be statistically significant. The number of zooplankton species, abundance, and biomass were higher in studies conducted by Adamkiewicz-Chojnacka. Changes in zooplankton structure may provide a basis for estimating zooplankton biodiversity. A statistical analysis of the experimental material showed that zooplankton diversity in the Vistula Lagoon was significantly lower in 2007 and 2009 than in 1977 and 1978.