Study on the Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics of Meiofauna in Baiyangdian Lake and Its Influencing Factors

Abstract

Baiyangdian Lake, the largest freshwater shallow lake on the North China Plain, plays a pivotal role in maintaining the regional ecological balance and biodiversity. Meiofauna are integral components of Baiyangdian Lake; however, their community characteristics and relationship with environmental factors have not yet been studied. The aim of the following study was to evaluate the density, spatiotemporal patterns, and habitat response dynamics of meiofauna in Baiyangdian Lake. A field investigation was conducted at 33 sites spanning various habitats, including aquatic plant-dominant, trench, and pelagic areas, across the spring, summer, and autumn seasons of 2021. The results revealed that the meiofauna in Baiyangdian Lake primarily comprise freshwater nematodes (91.78%), ostracods, and copepods, with a mean abundance of 69.40 ± 35.20 ind. 10 cm−2, peaking in the spring, followed by summer and autumn. The mean biomass was 164.95 ± 99.39 dwt. 10 cm−2, with that of ostracods being the most substantial and that of copepods being the least, with both of them exhibiting seasonal fluctuations. Notably, in the summer, the abundance of meiofauna was positively correlated with the water depth and negatively correlated with ammonia nitrogen levels (R² = 0.13 and R² = 0.24, respectively; p < 0.05 and p < 0.01; n = 33). The results of our study indicate that the distribution and abundance of meiofauna are significantly affected by environmental factors, with the water depth and ammonia nitrogen levels being potential key determinants. The results of the present study are conducive to evaluating the health status of the Baiyangdian ecosystem, protecting biodiversity, and studying the impacts of anthropogenic activities and environmental changes on the lake, and can also provide scientific support for its ecological restoration and governance as well as the assessment of ecological service functions.