<p>Zooplankton diversity is vital for functioning of aquatic ecosystems and plays a crucial role in the food chain. We studied the influence of environmental factors on taxonomic and functional diversity of zooplankton in Neotropical savanna streams (n = 21). We measured water characteristics, habitat features, and land use. Greater Normalized Difference Vegetation Index negatively correlated with functional richness indicating a greater traits variety. High percentage of fine sediments can lead to diminished habitat complexity, resulting in greater functional uniformity and Functional Divergence. This could suggest a higher level of regularity in the niche as indicated by the species’ functional space, reflected in Functional Evenness, despite further from the community’s overall mean, as indicated by Functional Divergence. We identified three main groups within the zooplankton community. The first consisted of larger organisms that were omnivorous or predatory in nature. The second comprised scrapers species, primarily herbivores typically found in streams with greater nutrients. The third consisted of smaller, filter-feeding species, primarily herbivores, which displayed adaptations for mesotrophic streams. Understanding the patterns of functional diversity in zooplankton is essential for comprehending their ecological dynamics and providing valuable information for effective conservation planning.</p>