Determination of zooplankton community structure and trophic level of Mavi Lake (Ankara)

The samples were taken seasonally in the thesis study conducted between October 2021 and December 2022 in Mavi Lake, located in the Mamak district of Ankara. In this study, the zooplankton community structure of the lake was determined and its seasonal distribution was observed. As a result, 30 species were identified, 18 from Rotifera, 11 from Cladocera, and 1 from Copepoda. The dominant species identified were Polyarthra vulgaris, Kellicotia longispina and Bosmina longirostris. The only copepod species identified in Mavi Lake is Cyclops strenuus. In addition, the trophic level was also evaluated with the physicochemical analyzes carried out in Mavi Lake. According to the evaluation, it has been determined that the Mavi Lake has the characteristics of a lake that transitions from oligotrophic to mesotrophic. The thesis study is the first study to determine the trophic level and zooplankton fauna of Mavi Lake.