Species Diversity and Driving Factors of Benthic and Zooplanktonic Assemblages at Different Stages of Thermokarst Lake Development: A Case Study in the Lena River Delta (Middle Siberia)

Global climate change might result in permafrost thaw and the formation of thermokarst landscapes that release long-term carbon stocks as greenhouse into atmosphere, thereby initiating a positive feedback. These processes are mediated by biological activity, including microbes, vascular plants animals, whereas role invertebrates ecosystems remains poorly understood. We investigated diversity assemblage structures zooplankton (mainly Copepoda, Cladocera), microbenthos (testate amoebae) meio- (Copepoda Cladocera) macrozoobenthos (mollusks, crustaceans, insects annelids) from range water bodies representing different stages lake southern part Lena River Delta (Central Siberia). Altogether, 206 species testate amoeba, mollusk, crustacean, insect annelid taxa were identified. A total 60 insects) 62 amoebae detected for first time. The richness was greater large lakes than polygonal ponds due to freezing latter winter. In contrast, protists higher ponds, which related habitat preferences amoebae. Fish grazing strongly affected macrobenthos assemblages but not smaller-sized organisms. Water acidity temperature main environmental drivers structure amoeba microcrustacean. macroinvertebrate significantly explained acidity, depth size area. It means small organisms with their short generation times sensitive more dynamic factors such may serve indicators ecosystem changes global warming. driven appear during degradation.