Hydrological Regimes and Zooplankton Ecology at Tempe Floodplains, Indonesia: Preliminary Study Before The Operation of The Downstream Barrage

Lake Tempe is a floodplain lake of a national importance situated in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, experiencing hydrological variation. Study on hydrological regimes and its association to zooplankton ecology was done to look at the hydrological characteristic and its association to zooplankton ecology. Field study and zooplankton sampling were carried out at two season representing hydrological variation of the floodplain. Rotifer was found to be dominant zooplankton during low water period while micro crustacean was predominant in high water period. Number of species and total abundance were higher in LW than in HW. Drying and wetting period of a floodplain system provide habitat for micro biota and enhance fish recruitment by providing suitable spawning environment and habitat for larvae. The operation of downstream barrage was intended to maintain water level at 5 meter ASL (3 meter water depth) meaning that the succession of zooplankton community from LW to HW community will be disrupted. We suggest that the operation of the barrage will significantly affect the ecosystem of the lake. Proceeding: The 1st International Forum on Asian Water Environment Technology, 18-20 Desember 2013.