Current Utilization and Further Application of Zooplankton Indices for Ecosystem Health Assessment of Lake Ecosystems

For the sustainable use of lake ecosystem services-water resources, aquatic habitats for biodiversity conservation, and aesthetic values as waterfront space-ecosystem health assessments using biota are implemented as important national environmental monitoring projects. Zooplankton play a key role as an important linkage in the material circulation as secondary producers in lake ecosystems. At the same time, they influence the composition and biomass of other communities through biological interactions. In this review, we summarize useful zooplankton indices for ecosystem health assessment and suggest considerations for their use. Suggestions are provided for the practical application of indirectly measured zooplankton biomass, as well as the potential and limitations of eDNA application, which has recently been actively utilized in biological monitoring.

Automated summary

For the sustainable use of lake ecosystem services, it is important to assess the ecosystem health using zooplankton as indicators. Zooplankton play a crucial role in material circulation and have interactions with other communities. This review summarizes useful zooplankton indices for ecosystem health assessment and discusses the practical application of measuring zooplankton biomass and the potential of eDNA as a monitoring tool.