Impact of Abiotic Stress on Phytoplankton and Zooplankton with Special Reference to Food Web

Abstract

In aquatic ecosystems, bacterial colonies constitute an important aspect of biological diversity and biogeochemical cycling. Phytoplankton is the primary producer of the food web and zooplanktons are an important part of freshwater food webs and biogeochemical cycles, as they serve as the main trophic connection between primary producers (phytoplankton) and fish. This chapter conducts abiotic stress effects on phytoplankton and zooplankton along with the impact of abiotic stress on their energy succession. Abiotic stress shows the decreasing supply of essential vitamins due to abiotic stress can have huge consequences for the aquatic food web. Abiotic factors had a significant impact on the biomass of phytoplankton and zooplankton communities exposed including increased temperature, acidification, nutrient enrichment and increasing ultraviolet (UV) environment of the aquatic ecosystem that significantly affect their survival, behaviour, nutritional procurement, reproduction and their overall population dynamic. Oxygen stress also is a widespread occurrence in freshwater environments, with the depletion of DO in the water layers under the epilimnion becoming increasingly common. At moderately high salinities, a decreased top-down control by zooplankton on phytoplankton may be an indirect result, leading to a worsening of eutrophication symptoms.