High resolution spatiotemporal measuring of diel vertical migration in zooplankton shows size specific responses to variable natural light conditions

This dataset contains high-resolution spatiotemporal measurements of diel vertical migration (DVM) in zooplankton under varying natural light conditions. The data were collected from Lake Stechlin, Germany in 2022 and include depth-stratified concentrations of zooplankton species (Cladocera and Copepoda) categorized by size class. The dataset also includes concurrent environmental variables such as temperature, chlorophyll-a concentration, moon phase, and modelled underwater illumination. These data provide insight into size-specific responses of zooplankton DVM under different light conditions, contributing to our understanding of natural light-driven behaviours in aquatic ecosystems. This research was supported by a Humboldt Research Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Programme (Grant Agreement No. 101135471, AquaPLAN), by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN; FKZ 3521 84 1000, BELLVUE), by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF; Grant No. 033L041B), and by the German Research Foundation (DFG; Grant No. GE 1775/2-1).