Spatial distribution of zooplankton in response to ecological dynamics in tropical shallow lake: insight from Lake Malombe, Malawi

This study assessed zooplankton density and Chl-a amount to understand their spatial seasonal variation in Lake Malombe. Samples were collected for analysis during the hot, dry season (HDS) cool, dry, windy (CDWS). The identified Tropodiaptomus cunningtoni (TC), Mesocyclops aequatorialis (MAA), Thermocyclops neglectus (TN), Bosmina longirostris (BL), Diaphanosoma spp. (DS), Nauplii. These groups belong copepods, Cyclopidae, Cladocera, Ctenopod, Rotifers. exhibited a substantial variation, with highest concentration observed HDS lowest CDWS. Zooplankton such as T. cunningtoni, M. aeq. aequatorialis, neglectus, B. longirostris, spp, Nauplii, Rotifer increased HDS. water temperatures (WT), pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), positively correlated all densities. Sodium (Na+) Potassium (K+) ions TC, MAA, DS, Chloride ion (Cl-) Rotifers, while Carbonate (CO32-) TC. Bicarbonate (HCO3-) DS TDS negatively BL, Nitrite affected negatively, SRP had positive effect. revealed that physical-chemical variables, some significant ions, are most critical factors influencing of lake. findings demonstrate interaction between Chl-a, highlight significance ecological understanding complex dynamics food web system shallow tropical lakes Malombe- under changing climate.