The effect of hydrological and morphometric parameters of temporary waterbodies on the structure and abundance dynamics of crustacean zooplankton

The effects of hydrological conditions and morphometry of the temporary waterbodies on the structure, abundance, and biomass of crustacean zooplankton are described. This study was performed in the southeast of the European part of Russia. The existence duration (hydrological regime) of the temporary waterbodies has the most profound effect on the zooplankton patterns. A significant effect was observed for the number of dominant species, the zooplankton biomass, the calanoid-cyclopoid ratio, and the Shannon index. The brackish lagoons were characterized by the highest biodiversity and abundance and the lowest values of these parameters were found in the steppe puddles and waterbodies of terraces above the flood-plain in the river valleys.