Researchers identify 29 genera of zooplankton in a campus pond, highlighting the ecological importance of small freshwater bodies in the state.

ROOPAK GOSWAMI

Shillong,  July 27: A small pond tucked away inside the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) campus in Ri-Bhoi has revealed a surprisingly rich underwater world, offering fresh evidence that even modest freshwater bodies can serve as important indicators of ecosystem health in Meghalaya.

A year-long study by Dhurjati Pathak, Prabal Sarkar, Anindita Bhattacharya and Sanjib Upadhyaya documented 29 genera of zooplankton—microscopic aquatic organisms that form the foundation of freshwater food webs and are widely regarded as biological indicators of water quality and environmental change.

Published in the International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences, the research found that rotifers, a group of tiny wheel-shaped animals, were the most diverse and abundant, accounting for 12 of the 29 genera recorded. They were followed by cladocerans, protozoa and copepods.

“The study highlights the remarkable diversity of zooplankton and underscores their importance as sensitive indicators of freshwater ecosystem health and conservation,” said lead author Dhurjati Pathak.

The researchers collected samples from the campus pond every month between December 2023 and November 2024, covering winter, pre-monsoon, monsoon and retreating monsoon seasons. Their findings showed a clear seasonal pattern, with zooplankton populations peaking during the monsoon, when nutrient-rich runoff and favourable environmental conditions boosted aquatic productivity. Winter recorded the lowest abundance.

Among the dominant organisms were rotifers such as Brachionus, Keratella and Polyarthra, along with cladocerans including Bosmina and Ceriodaphnia. These species are known to play a vital role in transferring energy from microscopic algae to fish and other aquatic animals, making them indispensable to freshwater ecosystems.

“The documentation of zooplankton diversity provides valuable baseline information for understanding how freshwater ecosystems function and for developing effective strategies to conserve aquatic biodiversity,” co-author Prabal Sarkar said.

The study also found that the pond maintained moderate to high biodiversity throughout the year, suggesting a relatively stable aquatic ecosystem despite seasonal fluctuations. According to the researchers, the diversity pattern reflects a moderately productive freshwater habitat influenced by Meghalaya’s monsoon-driven hydrology.

For Meghalaya, where hundreds of ponds, wetlands and small water bodies remain poorly studied, the findings underscore the ecological value of these often-overlooked habitats. Such ecosystems support biodiversity, contribute to nutrient cycling and can provide early warning signs of environmental degradation.

The authors noted that maintaining water quality and nutrient balance, especially during seasonal transitions, will be crucial for sustaining zooplankton diversity and the overall health of freshwater ecosystems. They said the study provides valuable baseline data that can support future ecological monitoring and conservation efforts in the region.

The findings also build on earlier research from the same USTM campus pond, where scientists documented 32 genera of phytoplankton—microscopic algae that form the base of aquatic food webs. Together, the two studies paint a comprehensive picture of a healthy freshwater ecosystem, with both phytoplankton and zooplankton communities indicating that the campus waterbody is stable, biologically rich and moderately productive.

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