Relating Species and Community Dynamics in an Heavily Exploited Marine Fish Community

We examined the dynamics of fish species and how they relate to species assemblage coherence in the heavily exploited Georges Bank fish community. Coherence is defined as reduced temporal variability of total assemblage biomass. We assumed that a higher degree of compensation hence coherence occurs within competitively coupled species assemblages; therefore, fisheries may directly alter the dynamics of certain targeted species sizes but assemblage structure will be relatively more stable owing to compensatory interactions. Species-sizes were grouped, based on negative covariance coupling in biomass time series from survey data. Assemblages representing benthic feeders were clearly identified by this method; furthermore, the most heavily exploited species-sizes were decoupled from other species-sizes suggesting that fisheries have diminished their potential to compensate or to be compensated for by competitive interactions. Biomass of species-sizes within known trophic guilds strongly compensated other guild-member biomass fluctuations if the diet of guild members was more specialized. This is an indication that more competitive conditions (more specialization) foster greater compensatory responses between competitors biomass fluctuations.     

Emission and oxidation of methane in Equisetum fluviatile stands growing on organic sediment and sand bottoms

Methane emission and rhizospheric CH₄ oxidation were studied in stands of Equisetum fluviatile, a common cryptogam in boreal lakes. The experiment was performed in mesocosms with organic sediment or sand bottoms under natural variation of temperature and light using the light-oxic – dark-anoxic chamber (LO/DA) technique. Net CH₄ emission from the organic sediment during the growing season varied between 3.4 and 19.0 mg m^–2 h^–1, but from sand the net CH₄ emission was only 3–10% of that measured from the organic sediment. In the organic sediment net CH₄ emission was very significantly correlated with sediment temperature (r² = 0.92). In the sand mesocosms the variation of net CH₄ emission was better correlated with the shoot biomass than with sediment temperature variation during the growing season, indicating that methanogens were severely limited by substrate availability and were probably dependent on substrates produced by E. fluviatile. The proportion of the methane oxidized of the potential CH₄ emission in summer did not differ significantly between the bottom types. The net CH₄ emission during the growing season as a proportion of the seasonal maximum of the shoot biomass was significantly higher in the organic sediment mesocosms (6.5%) than in sand (1.7%). The high CH₄ emissions observed from dense well-established E. fluviatile stands in the field appear to be more related to temperature-regulated turnover of detritus in the anaerobic sediment and less to CH₄ oxidation and seasonal variation in plant growth dynamics     

Characterization of small shallow ponds with color video imagery in Central Mexico

We present a method to evaluate ecological characteristics of small shallow ponds in Central Mexico based on video remote sensing and image processing techniques in a GIS environment. We used a set of color video imagery obtained from heights lower than 700 m above ground. Our analysis established statistical correlations between the average reflectance values contained in video imagery (digital numbers DN per Blue-Green-Red band) and the average values of limnetic variables: (1) water suspended solids concentration; (2) water turbidity; (3) total macrophytes coverage; (4) free floaters and emergent macrophytes coverage; (5) zooplankton abundance; and (6) chlorophyll-a concentration in water. We found strong correlation between DN values and vegetation presence, suspended solids concentration and water turbidity (R= 0.85 to 0.98), but weak correlations with phytoplankton and zooplankton abundance. This cheap and fast method can be used to describe general conditions of ponds related with vegetation abundance, turbidity and suspended solids.     

Seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton and phytobenthos,and associated chemical interactions,in a shallow upland lake (Malham Tarn,northern England)

Seasonal changes of phytoplankton were followed over 3 years (1985–87) in a shallow, unstratified and calcareous upland lake.The phytoplankton was of low to moderate abundance and generally dominated by phytoflagellates. Seasonality involved a winter minimum of abundance, a spring maximum of diatoms, and often brief increases in summer that included blue-greens, especially the colonial Gloeotrichia echinulata. Some components were of benthic origin. Seasonal growth of the main component of the phytobenthos, Chara globularisvar. virgata, caused a regular summer depletion in lake water of Ca²⁺ and HCO₃ ^- (alkalinity) by associated CaCO₃ deposition, and a more extreme (and unusual) depletion of K⁺. Chemical analysis of Chara biomass and of underlying sediments indicated a large benthic nutrient stock, much surpassing that represented by the phytoplankton. Growth in this biomass, and the magnitude of water-borne inputs, influenced the removals of Ca²⁺, K⁺ and inorganic N. The phytoplankton was probably limited by a low-P medium, to which co-precipitation of phosphate with CaCO₃ may have contributed. A vernal depletion of Si was probably limiting to diatom growth, and appeared to be mainly induced by benthic rather than planktonic diatoms. Examples of long-term change in composition of the phytoplankton and phytobenthos are noted and discussed in relation to the interaction of these components, nutrient enrichment, and possible alternative stable states.     

Relations between trophic state indicators and plant biomass in Florida lakes

We collected quantitative data on macrophyte abundance and water quality in 319 mostly shallow, polymictic, Florida lakes to look for relationships between trophic state indicators and the biomasses of plankton algae, periphyton, and macrophytes. The lakes ranged from oligotrophic to hypereutrophic with total algal chlorophylls ranging from 1 to 241 mg m^–3. There were strong positive correlations between planktonic chlorophylls and total phosphorus and total nitrogen, but there were weak inverse relationships between the densities of periphyton and the trophic state indicators total phosphorus, total nitrogen and algal chlorophyll and a positive relationship with Secchi depth. There was no predictable relationship between the abundance of emergent, floating-leaved, and submersed aquatic vegetation and the trophic state indicators. It was only at the highest levels of nutrient concentrations that submersed macrophytes were predictably absent and the lakes were algal dominated. Below these levels, macrophyte abundance could be high or low. The phosphorus–chlorophyll and phosphorus–Secchi depth relationships were not influenced by the amounts of aquatic vegetation present indicating that the role of macrophytes in clearing lakes may be primarily to reduce nutrient concentrations for a given level of loading. Rather than nutrient concentrations controlling macrophyte abundance, it seems that macrophytes acted to modify nutrient concentrations.     

Horizontal distribution of cladocerans in arctic Greenland lakes – impact of macrophytes and fish

Submerged macrophytes may play an important role as a refuge for zooplankton against predators. However, a recent study suggests that their importance depends on the trophic state of the lake. We studied the impact of fish and macrophytes on the horizontal distribution of pelagic cladocerans in 56 oligotrophic arctic Greenland lakes. In north-east and western Greenland, zooplankton was sampled in the near-shore (littoral) and central (pelagial) part of all lakes and fish were sampled with multiple mesh-sized gill nets. Macrophytes were visually estimated in the littoral. In north-east Greenland, 5 taxa of cladocerans were found, while 14 taxa were recorded in western Greenland. Daphnia pulex occurred only in fishless lakes in both northeast and western Greenland and avoided the near-shore areas in the shallow and deep lakes. Bosmina spp. and Holopedium gibberum were evenly distributed between the littoral and the pelagial in the deep and shallow fishless lakes. However, their near-shore density was lowest in the presence of fish. Macrophyte-related and benthic cladocerans concentrated either in the littoral or were evenly distributed between the littoral and the pelagial, irrespective of depth and fish presence or absence. Macrophytes had no impact on the horizontal distribution of pelagic cladocerans. Thus, it is concluded that horizontal heterogeneity of Bosmina spp. and Holopedium gibberum might be affected by the presence of fish.     

Distribution of macroinvertebrates in relation to physical and biological variables in the littoral zone of nine New Zealand lakes

Macroinvertebrates play a key role in the littoral zone of lakes. Macroinvertebrate community composition is closely linked to habitat conditions. To date, there have been few attempts to relate macroinvertebrates to habitat factors in lakes. In this study, nine mainly oligotrophic lakes from throughout New Zealand were surveyed for macroinvertebrates. The lakes were selected to represent a range of suspended sediment loading and lake level regimes. Within each lake, several sites were selected to provide a range of exposure to wave action. A multiple regression approach was taken to relate macroinvertebrate community composition and habitat characteristics. The results of the analysis suggest that the littoral zone of the lakes we studied could be divided into four general habitats. The first is the wave wash zone characterised by coarse substrates and macroinvertebrate taxa usually associated with lotic environments, such as Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera. The second habitat is associated with macrophytes and is limited at the top by wave action and at depth by light attenuation. In this zone, the snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum is dominant, along with Trichoptera and Odonata. At the base of the macrophytes is the detrital habitat characterised by fine, organic rich sediments and dominated by chironomids, oligochaetes and Trichoptera. At depths below the macrophyte zone, fine sediments are found, and bivalves such as the freshwater mussel Hyridella menziesi are common. While macroinvertebrate abundance can be highly variable, some general predictions of community structure can be made based on a few key environmental factors. Abundance of snails Odonata and Trichoptera was positively related to macrophyte biomass. Some macroinvertebrate groups such as oligochaetes, chironomids, snails and bivalves were more common in fine substrates, while Ephemeroptera were characteristic of coarse substrates. Detrital biomass was important for most of the macroinvertebrate groups studied showing a positive relationship for oligochaetes and Trichoptera and a negative relationship for Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera.     

Heavy Metals in Seagrasses and Algae of Pos'et Bay, Sea of Japan

The contents of heavy metals in Sargassum algae and seagrasses from Pos'et Bay in the Sea of Japan were studied. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Cr in the algae and seagrass leaves were correlated with each other. The concentrations of heavy metals in brown algae and seagrasses from Pos'et Bay were largely close to background levels. Increased contents of some metals found in macrophytes in the area of the port of Pos'et were due to local environmental pollution; around Furugel'm Island, to periodical upwelling and drift currents from the mouth of the Tumannaya River; and, at Cape Deger, to the cyclonic current.     

Promoting low-canopy macrophytes to compromise conservation and recreational navigation in a shallow lake

The shift from a turbid-water state to a clear macrophyte-dominatedstate in the shallow lake Veluwemeer (The Netherlands) has led to nuisance forrecreational navigation. The nuisance concerns the dense beds ofPotamogeton perfoliatus in particular, whereas thelow-canopy forming charophytes cause much less harm. On the other hand, theimportance of macrophyte cover for the stability of the clear-water state hasbeen recognised. To assess the potential of mechanical removal of densemacrophyte beds, several cutting regimes were simulated in a mixed vegetation ofP. perfoliatus and Chara aspera, usingthe individual-based model Charisma. These species occupy a wide range of waterdepths between 0.5 and 2.5 m, with C. asperadominating the shallower zone and P. perfoliatus dominatingthe deeper zone; intermediary is a zone where either species may dominate asalternative equilibria. Both the cutting height and timing affected the amountof biomass present in summer. The effect of cutting was more profound fortreatment later in the season. With a cutting level above theChara-canopy, the simulations showed an increased biomassof C. aspera and reduction of P.perfoliatus. In the zone of alternative equilibria, it was possibleto provoke a sustainable shift from P. perfoliatusdominance to C. aspera dominance. To achieve this, annualrepetition of cutting for a number of years was necessary. A harvesting regimeaimed at shifting the vegetation dominance from P.perfoliatus towards C. aspera could be an optionfor management of the lake, since it holds the perspective of decreasedmanagement effort after a number of years. Moreover, removing only high-canopyvegetation implies high conservation values and recreational use can becombined.     

Degraded Softwater Lakes: Possibilities for Restoration

In the Netherlands, the characteristic flora of shallow softwater lakes has declined rapidly as a consequence of eutrophication, alkalization and acidification. The sediment of most lakes has become nutrient rich and anaerobic. We expected that, if a vital seed bank was still present, restoration of the original water quality and sediment conditions would lead to the return of softwater macrophytes. The restoration of 15 degraded, shallow, softwater lakes in the Netherlands was monitored from 1983 to 1998. In eutrophied as well as in acidified lakes, removal of accumulated organic matter from the sediment and shores was followed by rapid recolonization of softwater macrophytes present in the seedbank. After isolation from alkaline water and subsequent mud removal, this recovery was also observed in alkalized lakes. Further development of softwater vegetation correlated strongly with the water quality. When renewed eutrophication was successfully prevented, softwater macrophytes could expand. However, in acidified lakes, Juncus bulbosus and Sphagnum species became dominant after restoration. Liming of an acidified lake was followed by re‐acidification within 3 years. Recolonization by softwater macrophytes was inhibited by high turbidity of the water column and spreading of large helophytes on the shore. As an alternative, controlled inlet of alkaline, nutrient‐poor groundwater was studied in a few lakes. The pH of those lakes increased, the carbon and nitrogen availability decreased and softwater macrophytes returned. Successful restoration has contributed considerably to maintaining biodiversity in softwater lakes in the Netherlands.