https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Index ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:45385 Wed 24 Nov 2021 17:21:34 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:46686 Wed 16 Feb 2022 11:07:48 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:62032 Tue 28 Feb 2023 15:43:36 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:51986 Thu 09 Jun 2022 15:18:45 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:71940 Thu 04 Apr 2024 19:46:33 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72175 Sun 21 Apr 2024 08:14:12 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72153 5-meters depth) and (0.5-meter depth) from the water surface at each lake during summer and winter season. The results were consistent with our hypothesis that both phytoplankton and aquatic macroinvertebrate species composition were influenced by physico-chemical parameters and that the differences in salinity concentration and aquatic vegetation between CL, FIL, and SIL were the driving factors for phytoplankton and aquatic macroinvertebrate species composition. In summary, one hundred and twenty-two phytoplankton taxa were collected and identified during this study, belonging to seven Phyla which included Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta, Cyanophyta, Chrysophyta, Dinophyta, Euglenophyta, and Cryptophyta. The most abundant phytoplankton groups were Bacillariophyta and Chlorophyta. Phytoplankton relative taxa abundance, Pielou’s evenness, taxa richness, and Shannon diversity were significantly different between lake types. Aquatic macroinvertebrates, on the other hand, summed up to 10 orders, 67 families, and 80 taxa. The most abundant group were the order Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Odonata, and Gastropoda. Aquatic macroinvertebrate relative taxa abundance, taxa richness, and Shannon diversity were also significantly different between lake types. Aquatic macroinvertebrate relative taxa abundance, Pielous evenness, and Shannon diversity index were not significant between seasons, and only taxa richness was significant. Canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP) results further showed unique and distinct phytoplankton and aquatic macroinvertebrates community composition between lake types. The present study provides baseline biodiversity inventory (or species list) for important lake ecosystems biological indicators i.e., phytoplankton and aquatic macroinvertebrates and species composition in relation to lake type for six freshwater lakes in South Africa. Furthermore, the study provides empirical evidence that will inform policy and the development of management strategies for freshwater lakes in South Africa which is currently missing. The current study will also contribute to the next National Biodiversity Assessment Report (2024), concerning the freshwater lakes biological data deficiency noted in the previous NBA (2018) report. The study will also fill up the gaps to better understand species composition in lake systems and how they function which is currently limited.]]> Sat 20 Apr 2024 17:20:49 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:49974 Sat 16 Apr 2022 19:38:39 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:73166 Sat 08 Jun 2024 21:37:04 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:71672 Mon 22 Apr 2024 19:39:31 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:65669 Fri 17 May 2024 17:39:50 SAST ]]>