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(M/FF224) The development of a baseline classification of microcrustacean assemblages of small waterbodies in Britain. Yarwood, Sarah1, Miller, Anne1, Biggs, Jeremy1, Tattersfield, Lisa2, Maund, Steve2, 1 2 ABSTRACT- Microcrustacean zooplankton are an important component of most lentic still water ecosystems. Although widely studied in lakes, little is known about the microcrustacean assemblages of ponds and their ecology. From a conservation perspective, this means that it is difficult to develop recommendations on approaches for managing ponds to support diverse zooplankton assemblages and encourage rare species. It also has important implications for aquatic risk assessment of pesticides. Higher-tier aquatic risk assessments in the EU are increasingly using pond micro- or mesocosms to assess the potential effects of pesticides at the population and community level. Whilst experimental methodologies for such studies are generally quite well-developed, there has been considerable debate concerning the extent to which the assemblages of various micro- and mesocosm designs are representative of those found in natural waters (see for example reports of discussions at the SETAC sponsored 'HARAP' and 'CLASSIC' workshops). Clearly, basic information on the distribution and ecology of organisms in natural waters is required to progress practises of both conservation and risk assessment issues. But, perhaps surprisingly, little such information appears to be available. In order to address this lack of data in the UK, a survey is being conducted to develop the first baseline classification for crustacean zooplankton assemblages in small lentic water bodies across the UK. The presentation will discuss the protocol development for the survey, including approaches to optimising sampling methodology and strategy, and will present preliminary findings on the distribution and ecology of microcrustacean zooplankton found in a number of natural ponds. Key words: Microcrustaceans, Ponds, Mesocosms, Ecotoxicolgy |
