Horizontal variation of biomass and C:N:P ratios of benthic algae in lakes

The horizontal variation of chlorophyll a (chl a) and C:N:P (carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus) ratio was estimated for benthic algal communities attached to living substrates (mussels and macrophytes) and to rocks and stones in three lakes of different trophy. Samples were taken in a nested hierarchical design with replicates separated by several cm, dm, 10 m, and km. The observed horizontal variation of chl a, C:N, and C:P ratios did not differ for horizontal scales, substrates, or lakes. Although the investigated lakes were quite unlike regarding nutrient status, light regime, or morphology, the patchiness was similar in all lakes. Moreover, patchiness was also similar on stones, macrophytes and mussels, although those substrates differed in longevity and surface structure. Similar patchiness regardless of scale, substrate, or sampled lake, implies the possibility of using an optimal sampling design calculated for one lake and substrate also in other lakes and on other substrates.