Monitoring the effects of UV-radiation and temperature on Daphnia in freshwater ponds at Kilpisjärvi, NW Finland, 1998-2012

Aim of this study was to judge the stress situation in the pond systems on zooplankton and specifically on Daphnia. From 1998 the effects of UV-radiation on Daphnia were studied on 2 ponds in the Kilpisjärvi (Finland) area. Later, the effects of temperature in combination with UV-radiation were examined, as well as different aspects of food quality on resistence against stress. From 2002 physical parameters such as temperature, pH, conductivity, as well as the biological parameters chlorophyll a and the zooplankton present, were recorded. From 2004 on more ponds were included in the monitoring to get a broader data base on the variety of pond systems in the birch forest and above the tree line. A total of 11 ponds have been observed during these years regularly in summer.

Preserved specimens and data are available by Iris Zellmer or Kilpisjärvi biological station.