Pelagial Zooplankton Community in a Newly Established Reservoir during and after the Impoundment of a Hydropower Dam

The global increase in energy demand has triggered a boom the construction of hydropower dams worldwide affecting biological communities. Our objective is to study zooplankton (Rotifera, Cladocera and Copepoda) community structure during after impoundment newly constructed reservoir, provide valuable knowledge on species diversity, dynamics be considered future management plans. period was characterized by increased richness with high turnover because zooplankton’s dispersal ability reflected inoculation reservoir local fauna. Zooplankton this were also correlated negatively depth positively total organic nitrogen nitrate, highlighting importance trophic impact. time following colonization processes more stable seasonality domination followed Mediterranean pattern, cold warm periods being differentiated changes structure, while abundance biomass remained low throughout studied period. Combined dominance small-sized individuals, it resulted grazing pressure, indicating that not factor controlling phytoplankton.