CARTOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE SPATIAL–ECOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF ZOOPLANKTON DEVELOPMENT IN NATURAL LAKE ECOSYSTEMS USING GIS (A CASE STUDY OF THE FERGANA VALLEY)

This article presents a cartographic analysis of the spatial–ecological structure of zooplankton development in natural lake ecosystems of the Fergana Valley using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Zooplankton are widely recognized as sensitive bioindicators of water quality and trophic state [1], [2]. The study integrates hydrobiological sampling data, physicochemical water parameters, and spatial analysis methods in GIS to identify distribution patterns of Rotifera, Cladocera, and Copepoda across selected lakes. Remote sensing materials and digital elevation models were used to assess landscape and hydrological features influencing plankton communities [3], [4]. The results demonstrate spatial differentiation of zooplankton density and biomass in relation to nutrient concentration, temperature gradients, and anthropogenic load. GIS-based interpolation methods enabled the creation of thematic maps reflecting ecological zoning within lake basins. The findings confirm that cartographic modeling is an effective tool for ecological monitoring and management of freshwater ecosystems in arid regions such as the Fergana Valley [5], [6].