Phytoplankton and zooplankton make excellent indicators
of environmental conditions and aquatic health within
ponds because they are sensitive to changes in water quality.
They respond to low dissolved oxygen levels, high
nutrient levels, toxic contaminants, poor food quality or
abundance, and predation. A good picture of the current
conditions in the ponds can be derived by looking at plankton
indicators, such as their biomass, abundance, and species
diversity (Burford, 1997; Primavera, 1998).
Because it is desirable that ponds and other waters
should support phytoplankton and zooplankton species
for maintaining good water quality as well as providing a
quality food source for the others consumers, it is important
to elucidate the trends of species dominance and the probable
factors controlling the community structure. Therefore,
the objective of this study is to provide information
on the usefulness of phytoplankton and zooplankton species
as indicators of water quality in shrimp aquaculture.