Investigation of the ecology of winter plankton of Lake Baikal using complex instrumental methods

Aim . The continuous monitoring of changes in ecosystems must be carried out in connection with global climate changes that affect the state of water bodies. Remote sensing methods have many advantages as a promising method for monitoring biocenoses in large water bodies. We carried out a comprehensive study comparing the results obtained using the latest instruments and methods to expand their further application to the continuous monitoring of water bodies. Material and Methods . The field research was undertaken using hydroacoustic sensors, submersible holographic camera and high‐resolution thermal sensors in addition to the classical methods of studying the zooplankton ecology – the Juday net and CTD probe. Water temperature, chlorophyll, photosynthetically active radiation and other parameters were measured with an AAQ‐Rinko probe. We provided data for one vertical up to a depth of 100 m. Results . The main components of mesozooplankton during the ice period are different age stages of the endemic crustacean Epischura baikalensis Sars 1900 and several rotifer species. The article discusses the heterogeneity of the environment and the distribution of plankton detected by various instruments. Conclusion . The experimental results obtained with the help of a set of devices show that the distribution of zooplankton is very strongly dependent on the physical parameters of the environment. The use of remote sensing methods is an important step towards the automation of basic monitoring of the ecosystem of Lake Baikal and other water bodies. The obtained field data will make it possible to further improve the pattern recognition algorithm in the software of the holographic installation for the specific conditions of Lake Baikal. The results of the vertical distribution and migrations of zooplankton in connection with environmental parameters are assumed to be processed using mathematical modeling methods.