Benthic macroinvertebrate communities from different lake zones are known to respond differently to environmental parameters and human pressures. The objectives of this study were to explore the spatial and temporal variability of benthic communities, investigate the effect of environmental factors on their assemblages and assess their response to eutrophication in the profundal and sublittoral zones of three Greek eutrophic lakes (Volvi, Kastoria and Mikri Prespa). These lakes are subjected to different land uses in their catchment areas. Samplings were conducted bi-annually (spring and autumn). Sixteen taxa were collected in the sublittoral and eleven in the profundal zone of the studied lakes. Among them, some species were recorded for the first time in the studied lakes. The dominant species were Potamothrix hammoniensis (Michaelsen, 1901) (Oligochaeta), Chaoborus (Chaoborus) flavicans (Meigen, 1830) and Chironomus (Chironomus) gr. plumosus Linnaeus, 1758 (Diptera), reflecting the eutrophic status of these waterbodies. Benthic communities, their functional traits (microhabitat preferences and feeding types), diversity and rarity species differed among lakes. Especially Lake Prespa, as a potentially ancient lake, hosts an endemic oligochaete community. Altitude and eutrophication (expressed as P–PO₄ and BOD₅ concentrations) were the main environmental factors explaining spatial and temporal variability in the assemblages. Based on the Greek Lake Benthic invertebrate Index, the ecological quality of the studied lakes was estimated as good to moderate. Benthic macroinvertebrates from both lake zones are associated with eutrophication, which is related to anthropogenic activities. Therefore, these lake zones should be included in assessment methods linking benthic invertebrate assemblages to eutrophication.

已知来自不同湖区的底栖大型无脊椎动物群落对环境参数和人类压力的反应不同。本研究的目的是探索底栖群落的空间和时间变异性，调查环境因素对其组合的影响，并评估它们对三个希腊富营养化湖泊（Volvi、Kastoria 和 Mikri Prespa）的深海和近海带富营养化的反应。 ）。这些湖泊在其集水区受到不同的土地利用。每两年进行一次采样（春季和秋季）。在所研究湖泊的沿海地区收集了 16 个分类群，在深海区收集了 11 个分类群。其中，部分物种在所研究的湖泊中首次被记录。优势种是Potamothrix hammoniensis (Michaelsen, 1901) (Oligochaeta), Chaoborus ( Chaoborus ) flavicans (Meigen, 1830) 和摇蚊( Chironomus ) gr。plumosus Linnaeus, 1758 (Diptera)，反映了这些水体的富营养状态。底栖群落、它们的功能特征（微生境偏好和饲养类型）、多样性和稀有物种在湖泊之间有所不同。特别是普雷斯帕湖，作为一个潜在的古老湖泊，拥有地方性寡毛纲动物群落。海拔高度和富营养化（表示为 P–PO ₄和 BOD ₅浓度）是解释组合中空间和时间变化的主要环境因素。根据希腊湖底栖无脊椎动物指数，所研究湖泊的生态质量估计为良好至中等。来自两个湖区的底栖大型无脊椎动物都与富营养化有关，而富营养化与人为活动有关。因此，这些湖区应包括在将底栖无脊椎动物组合与富营养化联系起来的评估方法中。