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Biodiversity Indicators: Plankton and Macroinvertebrates in Lake Victoria, Selected Satellite Lakes and Rivers

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Lake Victoria Fisheries Resources

Part of the book series: Monographiae Biologicae ((MOBI,volume 93))

Abstract

Plankton and macroinvertebrates are used as biodiversity indicators on account of their sensitivity to changes in aquatic ecosystems. This chapter assesses the changes in the diversity , abundance and distribution of plankton and macroinvertebrates in the inshore and offshore areas of Lake Victoria, selected satellite lakes and rivers within the lake basin. Samples for both plankton and macroinvertebrates were collected during dry and wet seasons between 2000 and 2006. The results indicated that cyanobacteria were most diverse in both seasons. Microcystis spp., Planktolyngbya spp. and Anabaena spp. were the most dominant cyanophyte species at the sampled sites. The dominant phytoplankton (cyanobacteria) are less digestible and provide poor quality food for the fish; that may have contributed to the reduction or loss of planktivorous haplochromines and tilapiines that once flourished in Lake Victoria. Zooplankton community composition in the lake is dominated by rotifers and cyclopoid copepods , in both inshore and offshore areas. The dominance of cyclopoid copepods is important in the production and sustainability of small fishes and larvae that utilize these organisms as a food base. Macroinvertebrate abundance has shifted from an oligochaete and insect dominated community in 1984 to a community dominated by molluscs. The occurrence of a relatively high abundance of low-oxygen tolerant macroinvertebrate taxa at inshore and offshore stations is an indication of deteriorating water quality water quality conditions due to eutrophication and pollution processes. There is a need for a reduction in nutrient loads and pollutant inputs into the lake in order to ensure the ecosystem health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 35064, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Yunus D. Mgaya, S. M. Limbu & C. V. Lugomela

  2. Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, P.O. Box 90, Kigoma, Tanzania

    I. A. Kimirei

  3. Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO), P.O. Box 1625, Jinja, Uganda

    R. J. Kayanda

  4. District Commissioner’s Office, Nzega, Tanzania

    G. W. Ngupula

Authors
  1. Yunus D. Mgaya
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  2. S. M. Limbu
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  3. C. V. Lugomela
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  4. I. A. Kimirei
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  5. R. J. Kayanda
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  6. G. W. Ngupula
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yunus D. Mgaya .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Yunus D. Mgaya

  2. Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Shigalla B. Mahongo

Additional information

This chapter is dedicated to Ms. Revania K. Waya, a researcher at TAFIRI, Sota Station, Shirati, who passed away on 25th December 2011.

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Mgaya, Y.D., Limbu, S.M., Lugomela, C.V., Kimirei, I.A., Kayanda, R.J., Ngupula, G.W. (2017). Biodiversity Indicators: Plankton and Macroinvertebrates in Lake Victoria, Selected Satellite Lakes and Rivers. In: Mgaya, Y., Mahongo, S. (eds) Lake Victoria Fisheries Resources . Monographiae Biologicae, vol 93. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69656-0_5

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