TN : TP ratio and planktivorous fish do not affect nutrient-chlorophyll relationships in shallow lakes

1. In previous work, phytoplankton regulation in freshwater lakes has been associated with many factors. Among these, the ratio of total nitrogen to total phosphorus (TN : TP) has been widely proposed as an index to identify whether phytoplankton are N‐ or P‐limited. From another point of view, it has been suggested that planktivorous fish can be used to control phytoplankton. 2. Large‐scale investigations of phytoplankton biomass [measured as chlorophyll a, (chl‐a)] were carried out in 45 mid‐lower Yangtze shallow lakes to test hypotheses concerning nutrient limitation (assessed with TN : TP ratios) and phytoplankton control by planktivorous fish. 3. Regression analyses indicated that TP was the primary regulating factor and TN the second regulating factor for both annual and summer phytoplankton chl‐a. In separate nutrient–chl‐a regression analyses for lakes of different TN : TP ratios, TP was also superior to TN in predicting chl‐a at all particular TN : TP ranges and over the entire TN : TP spectrum. Further analyses found that chl‐a : TP was not influenced by TN : TP, while chl‐a : TN was positively and highly correlated to TP : TN. 4. Based on these results, and others in the literature, we argue that the TN : TP ratio is inappropriate as an index to identify limiting nutrients. It is almost impossible to specify a ‘cut‐off’ TN : TP ratio to identify a limiting nutrient for a multi‐species community because optimal N : P ratios vary greatly among phytoplankton species. 5. Lakes with yields of planktivorous fish (silver and bighead carp, the species native to China) >100 kg ha^?1 had significantly higher chl‐a and lower Secchi depth than those with yields <100 kg ha^?1. TP–chl‐a and TP–Secchi depth relationships are not significantly different between lakes with yields >100 kg ha^?1 or <100 kg ha^?1. These results indicate that the fish failed to decrease chl‐a yield or enhance Z_SD. Therefore, silver carp and bighead carp are not recommended as a biotic agent for phytoplankton control in lake management if the goal is to control the entire phytoplankton and to enhance water quality.     

Effects of benthivorous bream (Abramis brama) and carp (Cyprinus carpio) on sediment resuspension and concentrations of nutrients and chlorophyll a

1. The effect of benthivorous bream and carp on sediment resuspension and the concentrations of nutrients and chlorophyll a were studied in sixteen experimental ponds (mean depth 1m, mean area 0.1 ha, sandy clay/clay sediment), stocked with bream or carp at densities varying from 0 to 500 kg ha^?1. Planktivorous perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) were added to some ponds to suppress zooplankton. 2. Suspended sediment concentrations increased linearly with biomass of benthivorous fish. Bream caused an increase of 46 g sediment m^?2 day^?1 per 100kg bream ha^?1 and a reduction of 0.38m^?1 in reciprocal Secchi disc depth, corresponding to an increase in the extinction coefficient of 0.34m^?1. 3. No relationship was found between size of fish and amount of resuspension, but the effect of bream was twice as great as that of carp. Benthivorous feeding was reduced in May because alternative food (zooplankton) was available. 4. Assuming a linear relationship, chlorophyll a level increased by 9.0 μgI^?1, total P by 0.03mgl^?1 and Kjeldahl-N by 0.48mgl^?1 per 100kg bream ha^?1. Silicate, chlorophyll a, total P and total N were all positively correlated with fish biomass, but orthophosphate showed no correlation.     

Do the effects of piscivorous largemouth bass cascade to the plankton?

Ecologists have hypothesized that an increase in the biomass of piscivorous fish in lakes will cause a decrease in populations of planktivorous fish, an increase in the size of herbivorous zooplankton and a decrease in the biomass of phytoplankton. Here we present an experimental test of whether the effects of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) cascade to the planktivorous fish, zooplankton and phytoplankton of a 15-ha water storage reservoir. A pilot study indicated that the reservoir was eutrophic with dense populations of planktivorous fish dominated by threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense). No piscovorous fish were present in the reservoir. We conducted a one-month mesocosm experiment using water and plankton from the reservoir showing that the presence of threadfin shad reduced large-sized zooplankton and increased the productivity and biomass of phytoplankton. To test whether the effects of piscivorous fish could cascade to the plankton, we assessed the effects of the addition of piscivorous largemouth bass on the planktivorous fish, zooplankton and biomass of phytoplankton of the reservoir by monitoring the reservoir during the year before and the two years after largemouth bass were stocked. In the second year after the addition of largemouth bass, the number of planktivorous fish decreased and the relative abundance of threadfin shad declined. Although the abundance of cladocerans increased after the addition of largemouth bass, the average size of zooplankton did not change. We did not detect changes in chlorophyll a, Secchi depth, or concentrations of total phosphorus and total nitrogen as a result of the addition of largemouth bass.     

Experimental study of the impacts of silver carp on plankton communities of eutrophic Villerest reservoir (France)

We examined the impact of five silver carp biomass levels (0, 8, 16, 20, and 32 g m⁻³) on plankton communities and water quality of Villerest eutrophic reservoir (France). We realized the experiments using outdoor mesocosms. The presence of silver carp led to changes in zooplankton and phytoplankton assemblages. High fish biomass strongly reduced cladoceran abundance (through predation). Silver carp inefficiently grazed down particles < 20 μm. More importantly, however, the suppression of herbivorous cladocerans resulted in the increase of small size algae which were relieved from grazing and benefit from high nutrient concentrations. In contrast, in mesocosms without fish, the dominance of cladocerans (mainly Daphnia) controlled small size algae and probably also larger size algae (colonial chlorophytes, cyanobacteria). Thus, the Secchi disc transparency increased markedly. Through cascade effects, the modification of grazers communities led to changes in the utilization patterns of the added nutrients by phytoplankton communities. In high fish biomass treatments, nutrients were more efficiently accumulated into particulate fractions compared with no-fish and low-fish biomass treatments that were characterized by higher dissolved nutrients concentrations. Zooplankton was an essential source of food for silver carp. The productivity of zooplankton sustained a moderate silver carp biomass (up to 16 g m⁻³). In the presence of the highest fish biomass, the productivity of zooplankton was not large enough and silver carps fed on additional phytoplankton. Although mesocosms with high fish biomass were characterized by a slight cyanobacteria development compared with other fish mesocosms, silver carp was not effective in reducing cyanobacteria dominance. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Experimental study of the impacts of planktivorous fishes on plankton community and eutrophication of a tropical Brazilian reservoir

We examined the impacts of three facultative planktivorous fishes, Congo tilapia (Tilapia rendalli), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), and an obligate planktivorous fish, silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) on plankton community and water quality of a tropical eutrophic reservoir, Paranoá Reservoir, Brasília, Brazil, conducting both laboratory selective grazing experiments and an enclosure experiment. The first two species inhabit this reservoir and the remaining two are recommended for introduction. The field experiment was performed in ten limnocorrals (2 m³ each) and lasted five weeks. During the enclosure experiment, silver carp suppressed copepod nauplii, cladocerans and rotifers while the presence of tilapia and bluegill were associated with increased rotifers density. The dominant blue-green algae,Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (98% of phytoplankton biomass) was enhanced in the presence of bluegill, tilapia and tambaqui, but reduced in the presence of silver carp. This impact on plankton is in agreement with the results of the laboratory feeding trials. The observed alterations in water quality parameters in fish limnocorrals are discussed in relation to plankton community and eutrophication of this ecosystem. It is suggested that the control of the undesirable algaeC. raciborskii directly by silver carp grazing is a promising management tool.     

A 2-year experimental study on nutrient and predator influences on food web constituents in a shallow lake of north-west Spain

1. A 2‐year study was carried out on the roles of nutrients and fish in determining the plankton communities of a shallow lake in north‐west Spain. Outcomes were different each year depending on the initial conditions, especially of macrophyte biomass. In 1998 estimated initial ‘per cent water volume inhabited’ (PVI) by submerged macrophytes was about 35%. Phytoplankton biomass estimated as chlorophyll a was strongly controlled by fish, whereas effects of nutrient enrichment were not significant. In 1999 estimated PVI was 80%, no fish effect was observed on phytoplankton biomass, but nutrients had significant effects. Water temperatures were higher in 1998 than in 1999. 2. In the 1998 experiment, cladoceran populations were controlled by fish and cyanobacteria were the dominant phytoplankton group. There were no differences between effects of low (4 g fresh mass m^?2) and high (20 g fresh mass m^?2) fish density on total zooplankton biomass, but zooplankton biomass was higher in the absence of fish. With the high plant density in 1999, fish failed to control any group of the zooplankton community. 3. Total biovolume of phytoplankton strongly decreased with increased nutrient concentrations in 1998, although chlorophyll a concentrations did not significantly change. At higher nutrient concentrations, flagellate algae became more abundant with likely growth rates that could have overcompensated cladoceran feeding rates. This change in phytoplankton community composition may have been because of increases in the DIN : SRP ratio. Both chlorophyll a concentration and total phytoplankton biovolume increased significantly with nutrients in the 1999 experiment. 4. A strong decline of submerged macrophytes was observed in both years as nutrients increased, resulting in shading by periphyton. This shading effect could account for the plant decline despite lower water turbidity at the very high nutrient levels in 1998.     

Control of eutrophication by silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) in the tropical Paranoá Reservoir (Brasília,Brazil): a mesocosm experiment

A mesocosm experiment was conducted to assess the impact of moderate silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) biomass (41 g m^–3 or 850 kg ha^–1) on the plankton community and water quality of eutrophic Paranoá Reservoir (Brasília, Brazil). Microzooplankton (copepod nauplii and rotifers <200 m), netphytoplankton (> 20 m), total phytoplankton biomass (expressed as chlorophyll-a) and net primary productivity were significantly reduced by silver carp. Apart from increased nitrogen in the sediment, nutrients and chemical properties of the water were not affected by fish presence. The observed improvements in water quality suggest that stocking silver carp in Paranoá Reservoir to control blue-green algae is a promising biomanipulation practice.     

Responses of phytoplankton to fish predation and nutrient loading in shallow lakes: a pan-European mesocosm experiment

1. The impacts of nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) and planktivorous fish on phytoplankton composition and biomass were studied in six shallow, macrophyte‐dominated lakes across Europe using mesocosm experiments. 2. Phytoplankton biomass was more influenced by nutrients than by densities of planktivorous fish. Nutrient addition resulted in increased algal biomass at all locations. In some experiments, a decrease was noted at the highest nutrient loadings, corresponding to added concentrations of 1 mg L^?1 P and 10 mg L^?1 N. 3. Chlorophyll a was a more precise parameter to quantify phytoplankton biomass than algal biovolume, with lower within‐treatment variability. 4. Higher densities of planktivorous fish shifted phytoplankton composition toward smaller algae (GALD < 50 μm). High nutrient loadings selected in favour of chlorophytes and cyanobacteria, while biovolumes of diatoms and dinophytes decreased. High temperatures also may increase the contribution of cyanobacteria to total phytoplankton biovolume in shallow lakes.     

Eutrophication of the salt valley reservoirs, 1968–73 I. The effects of eutrophication on standing crop and composition of phytoplankton

A study was carried out over a period of six years to determine the effects of eutrophication upon standing crop and composition of the phytoplankton in four recently constructed flood control reservoirs in Nebraska. Water samples collected weekly during June, July, and August from 1968–73 were analyzed for chlorophyll a, phytoplankton composition, and phytoplankton abundance. Total volume of phytoplankton was calculated from appropriate dimensions and formulae. Inorganic turbidity in one reservoir was an important factor regulating the size and composition of the phytoplankton standing crop. In that reservoir diatoms were the most important component of the phytoplankton community during those years in which inorganic turbidity was greatest. When inorganic turbidity declined, blue-green algae became dominant.In the clear-water reservoirs chlorophyll a, phytoplankton number, and phytoplankton volume were significantly correlated with reservoir age, with the oldest containing chlorophyll a concentrations up to 247 mg/m³ and mean phytoplankton volumes up to 329 mm³/l, values sufficient to place it in the hypereutrophic category. The reservoirs had 2–6 times more chlorophyll a present at the end of the study than at the beginning, with the increase being greatest in the newest reservoir. Phytoplankton volume was significantly correlated with chlorophyll a in all the reservoirs.Blue-green algae quickly became established as community dominants in the reservoirs, making up over 80 percent of the phytoplankton volume in the newest reservoir by the second year of its existence. In the other clear-water reservoirs, blue-greens usually constituted over 95 percent of the total phytoplankton volume in summer. three genera, Microcystis, Aphanizomenon, and Anabaena, were responsible for virtually the entire standing crop of blue-greens in all the reservoirs.     

Linking silver carp habitat selection to flow and phytoplankton in the Mississippi River

Invasive silver carp (Hypothalmichthys molitrix) occurs throughout much of the Mississippi River and threatens the Laurentian Great Lakes. To quantify habitat selection relative to river flow and potential phytoplankton food, 77 adult silver carp were implanted with ultrasonic transmitters during spring 2008 through spring 2009 in adjacent upstream dammed and downstream undammed reaches (48 km total) of the Mississippi River. Sixty-seven percent of the fish were located. Selection of major river habitat features (dammed vs. undammed, backwaters, channel border, wing dikes, island side channels, and the main channel) was quantified. Flow rates and chlorophyll a concentration were compared between silver carp locations and random sites. Foregut chlorophyll a concentrations plus presence of macrozooplankton and detritus of 240 non-tagged silver carp were quantified. About 30% of silver carp moved upstream into the dammed reach, where average flow was slower and chlorophyll a concentration was higher. Silver carp selected wing dike areas of moderate flow (about 0.3 m/s) and elevated chlorophyll a (about 7 μg/L) relative to random sites. No silver carp occurred in areas where flow was absent. Wing dikes were preferred while the main channel was avoided. Chlorophyll a concentrations in guts were positively related to temperature and were unrelated to flow or river chlorophyll a concentration. Macrozooplankton and detritus were rare in guts. Silver carp seek areas of low flow and successfully forage across a range of temperatures, flows, and chlorophyll a concentrations that occur in rivers and large lakes.     

Effects of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and nutrients on the plankton community of a deep,tropical reservoir: an enclosure experiment

1. An in situ enclosure experiment was conducted in a deep reservoir of southern China to examine (i) the effects of a low biomass (4 g wet weight m^?3) of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and nutrients on the plankton community and (ii) the response of Daphnia to eutrophication. 2. In the absence of fish, Daphnia galeata dominated the zooplankton community, whereas calanoids were dominant in the fish treatments, followed by D. galeata. Silver carp stocking significantly reduced total zooplankton biomass, and that of D. galeata and Leptodorarichardi, but markedly increased the biomass of smaller cladocerans, copepod nauplii and rotifers. In contrast, nutrient enrichment had no significant effect on the plankton community except for cyclopoids. 3. Chlorophyta, Cryptophyta and Bacillariophyta were dominant phytoplankton groups during the experiment. Chlorophyta with high growth rates (mainly Chlorella vulgaris in the fish enclosures and Ankyra sp. in the fishless enclosures) eventually dominated the phytoplankton community. Total phytoplankton biomass and the biomass of edible phytoplankton [greatest axial linear dimension (GALD) < 30 μm], Chlorophyta, Cryptophyta, Bacillariophyta and Cyanobacteria showed positive responses to fish stocking, while inedible phytoplankton (GALD ≥ 30 μm) was significantly reduced in the fish enclosures. However, there was no significant effect on the plankton community from the interaction of fish and nutrients. 4. Overall, the impact of fish on the plankton community was much greater than that of nutrients. High total phosphorus concentrations in the control treatment and relatively low temperatures may reduce the importance of nutrient enrichment. These results suggest it is not appropriate to use a low biomass of silver carp to control phytoplankton biomass in warmer, eutrophic fresh waters containing large herbivorous cladocerans.     

Trophic structure of nine Czech reservoirs regularly stocked with piscivorous fish

For nearly 20 years, most Czech reservoirs supplying drinking water have been under statutory protection which permitted reservoir managers to manipulate fish stocks in order to maintain a sustainable water quality. The most common biomanipulative measure adopted was stocking with piscivorous fish (mostly 5 cm fry) using an annual stocking level of approx. 25 000 fish per reservoir. Nine reservoirs were studied for signs of top-down food web effects, as predicted by the trophic cascade hypothesis based on levels of total phosphorus (TP), chlorophyll a (Chl a), zooplankton biomass (ZB) and zooplankton community structure. In all nine reservoirs, only small Daphnia species were recorded, such as D. galeata and D. cucullata. The proportion of large-bodied daphnids retained on a 0.71 mm sieve was less than 10% of the total crustacean biomass in all reservoirs. The relationship of Chl a level – TP, and of ZB – Chl a, was positive under enhanced piscivory and did not differ statistically from the relationships in other reservoirs with natural fish stocks. This implies that bottom-up forces remained stronger than top-down ones in the studied reservoirs, despite the stocking of piscivorous fish. The failure of this attempt at biomanipulation may be due to an insufficient stocking rate of predatory fish and/or inadequate data on the resident planktivorous fish levels.     

Studies on the Effects of Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) on the Phytoplankton in a Shallow Hypereutrophic Lake through an Enclosure Experiment

The responses of nutrients, water transparency, zooplankton and phytoplankton to a gradient of silver carp biomass were assessed using enclosure methods. The gradient of four silver carp biomass levels was set as follows: 0, 116, 176 and 316 g m^—2. Nutrients did not show any statistically significant differences among the treatments. An outburst of Daphnia only occurred in fishless enclosures where phytoplankton biomass was the lowest and water clarity significantly increased. While among fish enclosures, the small‐sized Moina micrura dominated throughout the experiment and both zooplankton and phytoplankton biomasses decreased with increased fish biomass. No large colonial cyanobacterial blooms occurred in the fishless enclosures as predicted. This might be due to low water temperature, short experiment time and the occurrence of large bodied Daphnia in our experiment. Cryptophyta was the most dominant group in most of the enclosures and the lake water throughout the experiment. The fishless enclosure had much lower proportion of Cyanophyta but higher proportion of Trachelomonas sp.     

Long Term Effect of Cyprinid Fishes on Phytoplankton and Zooplankton Communities in a Shallow Water Protection Reservoir

The effects of fish kill and different fish stocks on the phytoplankton and zooplankton dynamics were studied in a shallow hypertrophic reservoir system. When fish stock was below 100 kg ha⁻¹, nutrient availability was not the main limiting factor for growth of phytoplankton. Consequently top‐down forces controlled phytoplankton. In the years with high fish stock (>100 kg ha⁻¹) the bottom‐up forces dominated as nutrient availability was the main limiting factor for growth of phytoplankton. We can conclude that significant water quality improvement can be achieved in the reservoir system by decreasing fish stock below 100 kg ha⁻¹. Although clear‐water phase could be stabilised temporary by macrophytes, stabilisation of good water quality requires continuous regulation of fish community. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Impacts of two biomanipulation fishes stocked in a large pen on the plankton abundance and water quality during a period of phytoplankton seasonal succession

Silver and bighead carp were stocked in a large pen to control the nuisance cyanobacterial blooms in Meiliang Bay of Lake Taihu. Plankton abundance and water quality were investigated about once a week from 9 May to 7 July in 2005. Biomass of both total crustacean zooplankton and cladocerans was significantly suppressed by the predation of pen-cultured fishes. There was a significant negative correlation between the N:P weight ratio and phytoplankton biomass. The size-selective predation by the two carps had no effect on the biomass of green alga Ulothrix sp. It may be attributed to the low fish stocking density (less than 40 g m⁻³) before June. When Microcystis dominated in the water of fish pen, the pen-cultured carps effectively suppressed the biomass of Microcystis, as indicated by the significant decline of chlorophyll a in the >38 μm fractions of the fish pen. Based on the results of our experiment and previous other studies, we conclude that silver and bighead carp are two efficient biomanipulation tools to control cyanobacterial (Microcystis) blooms in the tropical/subtropical eutrophic waters. Moreover, we should maintain an enough stocking density for an effective control of phytoplankton biomass.     

Impact of moderate silver carp biomass gradient on zooplankton communities in a eutrophic reservoir. Consequences for the use of silver carp in biomanipulation.

We examined the impacts of moderate gradient silver carp biomass (five levels from 0 to 36 g.m-3, i.e. about 0-792 kg.ha-1) on zooplankton communities of the eutrophic Villerest reservoir (France). During our mesocosm experiment changes in zooplankton assemblages were dependent on silver carp biomass. In the fishless and low fish biomass treatments, zooplankton abundance increased through time, owing to a peak in cladoceran density, but decreased (mainly cladocerans) at highest fish biomass. Copepods and rotifers were less affected at the highest fish biomass and dominated zooplankton communities. We highlighted that the presence of high silver carp biomass could lead to changes in phytoplankton assemblage via the impact on herbivorous zooplankton. Since silver carp efficiently graze on particles > 20 microns, the suppression of herbivorous cladocerans could result in an increase in small size algae (< 20 microns) abundance since these species would be released from grazers as well as competitors (large algae grazed by silver carp) and nutrients levels would be enhanced by fish internal loading. Our results showed that the use of low silver carp biomass (< 200 kg.ha-1) would allow us to minimize these negative effects.     

Resuspension of algal cells by benthivorous fish boosts phytoplankton biomass and alters community structure in shallow lakes

1. Positive effects of fish on algal biomass have variously been attributed to cascading top‐down effects and to nutrient enrichment by fish excretion. 2. Here, we used a combination of field and laboratory approaches to test an additional hypothesis, namely that the physical resuspension of settled algal cells by fish enhances algal biomass and alters community composition. 3. A multi‐lake survey showed that phytoplankton biomass and the fraction of motile algae increased with the concentration of inorganic suspended solids. This correlation could not be explained by wind‐induced resuspension because of the small size of the lakes. 4. In an enclosure experiment, chlorophyll‐a concentration, phytoplankton abundance and inorganic suspended solids increased significantly in the presence of Cyprinus carpio (common carp), but only if the fish had access to the sediment. No such effects were seen when a net prevented carp reaching the sediment. 5. The effects of enhanced nutrients and reduced zooplankton grazing as a result of fish feeding could not (fully) explain these observations, suggesting that the resuspension by carp of settled algae from a surface film on the sediment was the major factor in the outcome of the experiment. 6. An increase in diatoms and green algae (organisms with a relatively large sedimentation velocity) only in enclosures where carp could reach the sediment supported this view. 7. Several lines of evidence indicate that fish‐induced resuspension of algal cells from the sediment is an important mechanism that affects phytoplankton biomass and community composition in shallow lakes.     

Scaling food chains in aquatic mesocosms: do the effects of depth override the effects of planktivory?

To assess the effects of physical dimension and planktivorous fish on phytoplankton standing crop, we repeated an experiment at different scales in plastic enclosures during summer 1995 in Lake Créteil, France. Enclosures were scaled for a constant surface (1.5 × 1.5 m) as depth was increased from 2.5 to 4.5 m. Even-link (zooplankton and phytoplankton) and odd-link (planktivorous fish, zooplankton and phytoplankton) food webs were established in both shallow and deep enclosures. Fish densities in the deep enclosures were scaled to allow comparisons with shallow ones for both in individuals m⁻² or individuals m⁻³. We explicitly designed this experiment to examine the scale-dependent behavior of the top-down mechanism of algal biomass control in lakes, and in particular to test the hypothesis of stronger cascading effects of fish on lower trophic levels at reduced depth. Both fish and enclosure size had highly significant effects on phytoplankton biomass over the duration of the experiment. No depth × fish interaction effects were observed. The presence of planktivorous fish enhanced phytoplankton biomass in both shallow and deep enclosures, although the reduction in depth generally produced a stronger effect. The mean concentration of chlorophyll a in the deep odd-link systems (ca 5 mg m⁻³) was lower than in the shallow even-link systems (ca 17 mg m⁻³). Statistical interpretation did not change when data were expressed as phytoplankton biomass per unit of surface area. Light limitation and zooplankton grazing are the most probable mechanisms explaining our results in these nutrient-enriched systems. Moreover, we found that the strength of the cascading effect of fish on plankton was not a function of depth. We believe that further studies on scaling effects should be conducted in order to improve our understanding of ecological patterns and to extrapolate results from micro/mesocosms to natural ecosystems. Received: 18 January 1999 / Accepted: 7 June 1999     

Biomass-dependent effects of common carp on water quality in shallow ponds

We examined the biomass-dependent effects of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) on water quality in 10 ponds at the Eagle Mountain Fish Hatchery, Fort Worth, Texas, USA. Ponds contained 0–465 kg ha⁻¹ of common carp. We measured limnological variables at weekly intervals for four weeks in early summer, after which ponds were drained and the biomass of fish and macrophytes was determined. Common carp biomass was significantly positively correlated with chlorophyll a, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and Keratella spp. density and negatively correlated to bushy pondweed (Najas guadalupensis) biomass. In addition, we combined our data with data from comparable studies to develop more robust regression models that predict the biomass-dependent effects of common carp on water quality variables across a wide range of systems.     

Effects of different fish species and biomass on plankton interactions in a shallow lake

Thirty-six enclosures, surface area 4 m², were placed in Little Mere, a shallow fertile lake in Cheshire, U.K. The effects of different fish species (common carp, common bream, tench and roach) of zooplanktivorous size, and their biomass (0, 200 and 700 kg ha^–1) on water chemistry, zooplankton and phytoplankton communities were investigated. Fish biomass had a strong effect on mean zooplankton size and abundance. When fish biomass rose, larger zooplankters were replaced by more numerous smaller zooplankters. Consequently phytoplankton abundance rose in the presence of higher densities of zooplanktivorous fish, as zooplankton grazing was reduced. Fish species were also significant in determining zooplankton community size structure. In enclosures with bream there were significantly greater densities of small zooplankters than in enclosures stocked with either carp, tench and, in part, roach. When carp or roach were present, the phytoplankton had a greater abundance of Cyanophyta than when bream or tench were present. Whilst top-down effects of fish predation controlled the size partitioning of the zooplankton community, this, in turn apparently controlled the bottom-up regeneration of nutrients for the phytoplankton community. At the zooplankton–phytoplankton interface, both top-down and bottom-up processes were entwined in a reciprocal feedback mechanism with the extent and direction of that relationship altered by changes in fish species. This has consequences for the way that top-down and bottom-up processes are generalised.