COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ROTIFER COMMUNITIES IN NATURAL LAKES AND RESERVOIRS OF NORTH MACEDONIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20544/uklop.2026.628Keywords:
rotifers, lakes, reservoirs, community structure, bioindicators, North MacedoniaAbstract
Rotifers are widely recognized as effective bioindicators of freshwater ecosystems because of their sensitivity to environmental changes, rapid life cycles, and central role in aquatic food webs. In North Macedonia, natural lakes such as Ohrid, Prespa, and Dojran, alongside numerous artificial reservoirs, represent key aquatic habitats with contrasting ecological dynamics. Understanding differences in rotifer communities between natural and artificial systems is crucial for evaluating ecosystem health and the impacts of anthropogenic pressures. This study compares rotifer assemblages in natural lakes and reservoirs of North Macedonia, focusing on community structure, diversity, and responses to environmental drivers. The analysis is based on published studies and long-term monitoring programs. Results demonstrate higher diversity and stability in natural lakes, dominated by oligotrophic and mesotrophic taxa, while reservoirs exhibit lower species richness, stronger fluctuations, and dominance of opportunistic taxa associated with nutrient enrichment. These findings highlight the role of rotifers as indicators of hydrological and trophic stability, and emphasize the importance of continued ecological monitoring in the face of climate and land-use changes.
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