Spatial synchrony at different taxonomic resolution scales of the zooplankton community in a tropical reservoir

Abstract

Spatial synchrony, defined as the temporal correlation between population fluctuations across different locations, is crucial for understanding the dynamics of ecological communities, especially aquatic ecosystems. Although well studied in temperate systems, the influence of taxonomic resolution on the detection of spatial synchrony remains poorly explored in tropical reservoirs. Here, we investigated the synchrony patterns of the zooplankton community in the tropical Serra do Facão reservoir, located in the Paraná River basin (GO, Brazil), considering limnological, climatic, and operational variables. While overall spatial synchrony was low, we identified a complex geography of synchrony that was significantly associated with local environmental drivers, such as physical and productivity-related variables, for specific taxa. Physical and productivity-related variables correlated with the synchrony of particular taxa (e.g., Daphnia gessneri and Diaphanosoma sp.), whereas climatic and operational factors did not exhibit a significant influence. These findings contrast with studies in temperate reservoirs, suggesting that intrinsic environmental heterogeneity and anthropogenic management suppress broad synchrony patterns. Our results highlight the importance of monitoring local variables in conservation programs for tropical reservoirs and question the effectiveness of approaches based on broad taxonomic groups in detecting synchronized responses. This study provides valuable insights into the sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems under anthropogenic pressure, emphasizing the need for research on larger spatial scales and the consideration of trophic variables to fully comprehend the dynamics of these systems.