Influence of physico-chemical parameters on the diversity of zooplankton in Kodjoboué lagoon (Bonoua, south-east of Côte d'ivoire)

To maintain the ecological quality of surface waters, zooplankton communities are notable for their varied roles and importance in the food chain. This study aimed to determine the diversity and abundance of zooplankton in the Kodjoboué Lagoon of Bonoua. Sampling was conducted monthly using a plankton net (55 μm mesh size) from April to September 2024. A total of 31 zooplankton taxa were identified, distributed into four main groups: 19 Rotifers, 4 Copepods, 4 Cladocerans, and 4 other organisms. This zooplankton community is quantitatively dominated by Copepods, which represent 45% of the total zooplankton density. Specifically, the taxonomic richness and mean abundance of taxa are highest at stations S1 and S2. Results from the Redundancy Analysis (RDA) show that variables such as temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and pH are the essential factors influencing the distribution of zooplankton in the Kodjoboué Lagoon of Bonoua. Management of this lagoon based on these parameters would help maintain the diversity and resilience of this ecosystem against various disturbances in aquatic environments.