Zooplankton community composition and trait data for Green Lakes Valley, 2009 - ongoing.

Starting in 2012 zooplankton sampling at Green Lake 4 was included in the long term monitoring data set at Niwot Ridge. Immediately after the ice has completely melted from the lakes, zooplankton samples are taken once a week for six consecutive weeks at the deepest portion of the lake from an inflatable raft. Zooplankton were sampled at the deepest location of each lake by pulling a conical net (Wisconsin net) vertically through the water column (i.e., vertical tow sample). For each zooplankton sample obtained, adult organisms were identified to species, or lowest taxonomic level (Chydoridae sp. and Bosminidae sp.). Larvae of cladocerans were counted together as neonates; calanoid and cyclopoid copepodites were counted together as nauplii. Individual body lengths of the first 50 -100 (when possible) individuals of each taxon were recorded using a calibrated eyepiece micrometer and means reported.