Assessment of Zooplankton Abundance in

DLSU-D Lake


A Research Presented to the
Biological Sciences Department
College of Science and Computer Studies
De La Salle University - Dasmarias
City of Dasmarias, Cavite







In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the
BIOL143 Experimental Design 2
nd
Semester, SY 2013-2014




Jonel Nirihana, Cabrera
Jerry Paul, Arciaga
Gerard John, Palaya
December 2013









ABSTRACT


De La Salle University - Dasmarinas is a private Catholic university in Dasmarinas,
Cavite. Located on the west campus is a manmade lake which serves as an aquatic
laboratory for concerned students. The study will determine the abundance and
diversity of zooplankton in DLSU-D Lake.


CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study
The abundance of zooplankton is a significant factor to which we can justify the
health of a body of water and the other organisms that depend on those zooplankton.
The DLSU-D Lake serves as a catch basin in the campus. It is located within the Lake
Park in eastern side of campus. The particular body of water does serve as a habitat for
many different species of flora and fauna.
As a catch basin for the university there is bound to be different pollutants and
odors and which can be lead back to those pollutants. Water quality is essential for the
health of the organisms that depend on the lake. Certain changes in chemical and
physical characteristics could the diversity and abundance of zooplankton and entirely it
would affect the higher levels of organisms that depend on them.
The present study will determine the abundance and diversity of the zooplankton
present in the DLSU-D Lake.
1.2 Statement of the Problem (or Objectives of the Study)
The study generally aims to assess the diversity and abundance of zooplankton
in the De La Salle University- Dasmarinas.
Specifically, the study will answer the following questions
1. How many different species of zooplankton and their abundance in the body
of water?
2. Does the water quality affect the diversity of the zooplankton in the lake?
3. Does the diversity of the zooplankton affect the other organisms of different
levels?

1.3 Scope and Limitations
The study will focus on the effects of the following different concentrations;
1. Abundance of zooplankton.
2. Diversity of zooplankton.
3. Water quality of the body of water including; pH, temperature, minerals,
water clarity and presence of other organisms.
4. The study will be limited to the 2nd semester of SY 2013-2014.
It is not the intention of the study to identify the other components of the study.
1. Sources of pollutants and other minerals present.
2. The diversity and abundance of phytoplankton.
3. Specific detailing on the effects on other organisms of other levels.
4. Morphology and physiology of zooplankton.

1.4 Significance of the Study
The study aims to assure that the DLSU-D Lake is a productive body of water.
The presence of zooplankton will be an indicator that there is a thriving abundance of
phytoplankton. With an abundance of these two plankton groups, this could be an
indicator that higher organisms that depend on these are thriving or should be thriving.
The De La Salle University Dasmarinas, Staff, Faculty and Students would be
assured that the lake is a vital and important feature in the ecosystem present within the
campus.

1.5 Definition of Terms
The following important terms (arranged in alphabetical order) are defined based
on context or how they were used in the study:
Abundance The quantity of a certain organism
Diversity The variety of a certain organism
Ecosystem Biological community of interacting organisms and the physical
environment.
Organism A single living animal, plant or single-cell.
pH The measurement of alkalinity or acidity of a solution.
Phytoplankton Autotrophic/Photosynthetic planktons.
Temperature The hotness or coldness of a substance.
Water Quality The chemical, physical and biological characteristics of a body of
water.
Zooplankton Heterotrophic planktons.



CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Conceptual Literature
First topic
The conceptual review is developmental in nature and is arranged by topics.
There is no limit to the number of cited references but all should be relevant to the
objectives of the research study.
Second topic
The arrangement of topic should be from general to specifics. Mostly, these
literatures are taken from books.
Third topic
The conceptual review is developmental in nature and is arranged by topics.
There is no limit to the number of cited references but all should be relevant to the
objectives of the research study.

2.2 Related Studies
Related studies could be clustered together. One should integrate and
synthesize all local and foreign related studies coherently to link the past studies to the
current study being undertaken. No more titles for the topics. Sixty to 70% of Literature
Review must be related studies.