Primary production and respiration of the phytoplankton in the Blue and White Niles at Khartoum

Phytoplankton production and respiration in the Blue Nile and White Nile at Khartoum were measured during the period November 1969–January 1971 using the light and dark bottle technique. Maximum rates of production coincided with periods of maximum phytoplankton densities. In the Blue Nile gross production varied between 0.00 gCm^–3d^–1 during the flood season and 2.19 gCm^–3d^–1 (0.49 mgO₂l^–1h^–1) during November 1969. In the White Nile the range was from 0.41 gCm^–3d^–1 (0.09 MgO₂l^–1h^–1) in May to 3.74 gCm^–3d^–1 (0.83 MgO₂l^–1h^–1) in November. The maximum rates of respiration in the Blue Nile and White Nile were 0.10 and 0.63 MgO₂l^–1h^–1 respectively. The ratios net:gross production were generally higher in the White Nile than in the Blue Nile.     

The effect of Cyanophyta upon zooplankton in a eutrophic tropical lake (Lake Valencia,Venezuela)

The effect which Cyanophyta have upon the zooplankton varies according to the form of the alga (mucilaginous colonies or filaments) and its abundance. Periodical blooms of Microcystis aeruginosa were not detrimental for the zooplankton, in spite of the fact that copepods, cladocerans and rotifers consume small colonies. High concentrations of Lyngbya limnetica and Oscillatoria limnetica in Lake Valencia, Venezuela, proved to be inhibitory for cladocerans. A total absence of cladocerans was detected when filaments increased.     

Biomass and production of Argyrodiaptomus furcatus,a tropical calanoid copepod in Broa Reservoir,southern Brazil

The biomass and the production of Argyrodiaptomus furcatus (Sars), the most abundant copepod in Broa Reservoir (São Carlos, São Paulo State), were estimated, determining in the laboratory the development time and the quantity of organic carbon and establishing the relationship between these two parameters. The daily production was calculated from P = B(1- e^gt) and the annual production was obtained by integrating daily production against time. The maximum production of Argyrodiaptomus furcatus in the reservoir depends on the region considered and on the period of the year. The maximum production was 45.15 mg C m^–3d^–1 in March, 1976 at station II, region of macrophytes and 6.74 mg C m^–3d^–1 at station IV, near the dam. The mean production for the year is 6.26 mg C m^–3d^–1 at station II and 1.43 mg C m^–3d^–1 at station IV.     

Effects of phosphorus and nitrogen enrichment on the phytoplankton in a tropical reservoir (Lobo Reservoir,Brazil)

The effects of enrichment with phosphate (0–500 µg. 1^–1) and forms of nitrogen (nitrate, nitrite, ammonia an and urea) (0–3500 µgg. ^–1) on the phytoplankton growth of Lobo Reservoir (Brazil) were studied in July, 1979. Suspended matter, chlorophyll a, cell concentrations and the carotenoid:cchlorophyll ratio were estimated following 14 days of in situ incubation. Phosphate alone caused no significant effects, but enrichment with nitrogen caused a substantial increase on the growth of phytoplankton. Comparison between the different forms of nitrogen showed insignificant effects after their additions with 350 µg. ^–1 and in combination with phosphate. However, when nitrogen was added in large quantities (3 500 µg. ^–1), significant differences between the nitrogeneous forms were found, with urea causing the strongest effect. In July, nitrogen is mhe main limiting nutrient to phytoplankton growth of Lobo Reservoir.Supported by CNPq and FAPESP.     

Zooplankton composition of ten reservoirs in southern Brazil

The zooplankton of ten reservoirs of Sao Paulo State was analyzed as part of a larger project, Typology of Reservoirs of São Paulo State.Twenty-four genera of Rotifera, six species of Copepoda and at least nine species of Cladocera were found in samples collected on four occasions in 1979. In general, Rotifera dominated in most reservoirs, although fluctuations occurred during the year.The reservoirs were arranged in four groups, according to zooplankton density, whose range was 10 to 500 i 1^–1.The average composition of Crustacea, in number of species at any one time is comparable to those of other water bodies, being a little higher than that of Colorado lakes.The number of species of limnetic Cladocera in Brazil is between those of Holarctic Region and Tropical Asia. Ceriodaphnia cornuta and Bosminopsis deitersi, and a few species of Daphnia are typical of Brazilian zooplankton. Thermocyclops crassus is common in the southern reservoirs but T. minutus seems to be more widely distributed in Brazil. Calanoida occurred in relatively few reservoirs in São Paulo and usually one species at one time. Brachionus and Keratella were more abundant closer to the Equator then to the Tropics, where other genera seem to be more abundant.The range in size of the planktonic Crustacea is relatively small when compared to temperate lakes, being similar to that of other tropical lakes.     

Diel migration and vertical distribution of Cladocera in Lake D. Helvecio (Minas Gerais,Brazil)

Six genera of Clad ocera (Diaphanosoma, Daphnia, Ceriodaphnia, Moina, Bosmina, Bosminopsis), each of them usually with only one species were found in Lake D. Helvecio, a natural valley lake located in the eastern part of Brazil. Diurnal migratory movements of the organisms observed in this lake showed a different pattern in different species. Closely related species, which explore the same food source, live in different layers, thus avoiding interspecific competition. The migratory behaviour of the species was studied mainly in relation to temperature and oxygen distribution in the lake. Thus, analyses were made in the summer (January, 1978) when a strong stratification occurs with the establishment of a thermocline and an oxycline. Comparisons were made also with the data obtained in winter (July, 1978), when a complete mixing of water occurs.     

Occurrence of species of the genusDaphnia in Brazil

Three species ofDaphnia are recorded from natural lakes and reservoirs in Brazil:Daphnia gessneri, Herbst, 1967,Daphnia ambigua, Scourfield, 1947 andDaphnia laevis, Birge, 1878. Some comments on their geographical distribution and ecology are made, showing the trend of the presence of these species in eutrophicated environments.     

Population structure and dynamics of Pinus massoniana Lamb. on mount Jinyun,Sichuan, China

Masson Pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) is a pioneer in forest succession in the subtropics of East Asia. However, the species persits, though with decreasing abundance, throughout the various successional phases. Agestructure, spatial pattern, density, population biomass, and their dynamics are described for a population in Sichuan, China, on the basis of a census of all individuals in the population while substituting space with time. In the course of succession, the population density increases and its rate of growth decreases until self-thinning starts; during the phase of self-thinning density decrease and continues to decrease even afterwards, but the rate of growth increase markedly after self-thinning has stopped. The development of population biomass (Bp) during the early succession from shrub-grassland to the early stages of mixed pine and broad-leaved forest can be described by a logistic equation. Later, Bp decrease rapidly. These changes are governed partly by inherent biological features of P. massoniana and partly by the invasion, establishment and development of shade-tolerant evergreen broad-leaved trees. Both self- and alien-thinning occur. Soil conditions affect the rates of these processes.     

滇西北亚高山针叶林带的外生菌根调查

本文报道了滇西北亚高山针叶林带的外生菌根调查工作。对一些亚高山针叶树种的外生菌根及其形态学和解剖学等方面进行了比较。调查结果表明,该地主要树种如长苞冷杉(Abies georgeiOrr.)、丽江云杉(Picea likiangensis Pritz.)、高山松(Pinus densata Mast.)、垂枝云杉(Picea brachytyla(Fr.)Pritz.)以及少数大果红杉(Larix potaninii Batal.)与担子菌类真菌形成外生菌根。长苞冷杉根系所形成的菌根形态多为棍棒型;丽江云杉的菌根形态多为单轴式分枝型;高山松的菌根形态都是二叉状分枝型。     

Litter decomposing and ectomycorrhizalBasidiomycetes in an igapó forest

An igapó forest near the confluence of Rio Tarumã Mirim (Tarumãzinho) and Rio Negro has been studied. It is a typical ectotroph forest with a raw humus layer and suppressed litter decomposing activity by Higher (i.e., carpophore-producing) Fungi. The number of the latter is about one-fifth of that observed in the (anectotrophic) terra firme forest. All ectotrophically mycorrhizal fungi observed belonged in three families:Amanitaceae, Boletaceae, Russulaceae. Leguminosae are dominant, and of theseAldina latifolia andSwartzia cf.polyphylla were demonstrably ectomycorrhizal. The scarcity of mineral nutrients in the soils of igapó, campinarana and campina is overcome by direct cycling through ectomycorrhizae. This is in contrast to other black- and white-water inundated forest communities in Amazonia.Litter Decomposition and Ectomycorrhiza in Amazonian Forests3. Previous contributions seeSinger & Araujo (1979) andSinger & al. (1983).