Fish manipulation as a lake restoration tool in shallow,eutrophic temperate lakes 1: cross-analysis of three Danish case-studies

The use of fish manipulation as a tool for lake restoration in eutrophic lakes has been investigated since 1986 in three shallow, eutrophic Danish lakes. The lakes differ with respect to nutrient loading and nutrient levels (130–1000 μg P l⁻¹, 1–6 mg N l⁻¹). A 50% removal of planktivorous fish in the less eutrophic cyanobacteria-diatom dominated Lake V?ng caused marked changes in lower trophic levels, phosphorus concentration and transparency. Only minor changes occurred after a 78% removal of planktivorous fish in eutrophic cyanobacteria dominated Frederiksborg Castle Lake. In the hypertrophic, green algae dominated Lake S?byg?rd a low recruitment of all fish species and a 16% removal of fish biomass created substantial changes in trophic structure, but no decrease in phosphorus concentration. The different response pattern is interpreted as (1) a difference in density and persistence of bloomforming cyanobacteria caused by between-lake variations in nutrient levels and probably also mixing- and flushing rates, (2) a difference in specific loss rates through sedimentation of the algal community prevaling after the fish manipulation, (3) a decreased impact of planktivorous fish with increasing mean depth and (4) a lake specific difference in ability to create a self-increasing reduction in the phosphorus level in the lake water. This in turn seems related to the phosphorus loading.     

Influence of nutrients,disturbances and site conditions on carbon stocks along a boreal forest transect in central Canada

The interacting influence of disturbances and nutrient dynamics on aboveground biomass, forest floor, and mineral soil C stocks was assessed as part of the Boreal Forest Transect Case Study in central Canada. This transect covers a range of forested biomes–-from transitional grasslands (aspen parkland) in the south, through boreal forests, and into the forested subarctic woodland in the north. The dominant forest vegetation species are aspen, jack pine and spruce. Disturbances influence biomass C stocks in boreal forests by determining its age-class structure, altering nutrient dynamics, and changing the total nutrient reserves of the stand. Nitrogen is generally the limiting nutrient in these systems, and N availability determines biomass C stocks by affecting the forest dynamics (growth rates and site carrying capacity) throughout the life cycle of a forest stand. At a given site, total and available soil N are determined both by biotic factors (such as vegetation type and associated detritus pools) and abiotic factors (such as N deposition, soil texture, and drainage). Increasing clay content, lower temperatures and reduced aeration are expected to lead to reduced N mineralization and, ultimately, lower N availability and reduced forest productivity. Forest floor and mineral soil C stocks vary with changing balances between complex sets of organic carbon inputs and outputs. The changes in forest floor and mineral soil C pools at a given site, however, are strongly related to the historical changes in biomass at that site. Changes in N availability alter the processes regulating both inputs and outputs of carbon to soil stocks. N availability in turn is shaped by past disturbance history, litter fall rate, site characteristics and climatic factors. Thus, understanding the life-cycle dynamics of C and N as determined by age-class structure (disturbances) is essential for quantifying past changes in forest level C stocks and for projecting their future change.     

Fish manipulation as a lake restoration tool in shallow,eutrophic, temperate lakes 2: threshold levels,long-term stability and conclusions

In order to evaluate short-term and long-term effects of fish manipulation in shallow, eutrophic lakes, empirical studies on relationships between lake water concentration of total phosphorus (P) and the occurrence of phytoplankton, submerged macrophytes and fish in Danish lakes are combined with results from three whole-lake fish manipulation experiments. After removal of less than 80 per cent of the planktivorous fish stock a short-term trophic cascade was obtained in the nutrient regimes, where large cyanobacteria were not strongly dominant and persistent. In shallow Danish lakes cyanobacteria were the most often dominating phytoplankton class in the P-range between 200 and 1 000μg P l⁻¹. Long-term effects are suggested to be closely related to the ability of the lake to establish a permanent and wide distribution of submerged macrophytes and to create self-perpetuating increases in the ratio of piscivorous to planktivorous fish. The maximum depth at which submerged macrophytes occurred, decreased exponentially with increasing P concentration. Submerged macrophytes were absent in lakes>10 ha and with P levels above 250–300μg P l⁻¹, but still abundant in some lakes<3 ha at 650μg P l⁻¹. Lakes with high cover of submerged macrophytes showed higher transparencies than lakes with low cover aboveca. 50μg P l⁻¹. These results support the alternative stable state hypothesis (clear or turbid water stages). Planktivorous fish>10 cm numerically contributed more than 80 per cent of the total planktivorous and piscivorous fish (>10 cm) in the pelagical of lakes with concentrations above 100μg P l⁻¹. Below this threshold level the proportion of planktivores decreased markedly toca. 50 per cent at 22μg P l⁻¹. The extent of the shift in depth colonization of submerged macrophytes and fish stock composition in the three whole-lake fish manipulations follows closely the predictions from the relationships derived from the empirical study. We conclude that a long-term effect of a reduction in the density of planktivorous fish can be expected only when the external phosphorus loading is reduced to below 0.5–2.0 g m⁻² y⁻¹. This loading is equivalent to an in-lake summer concentration below 80–150μg P l⁻¹. Furthermore, fish manipulation as a restoration tool seems most efficient in shallow lakes.     

Northern pike (Esox lucius L.) and aquatic vegetation,tools in the management of fisheries and water quality in shallow waters

Species and size composition of fish communities in shallow stagnant waters appear to be associated with the type, abundance and pattern of the vegetation. Man-induced impacts as eutrophication, and suppression of vegetation for reasons of water quantity management or angling pleasure may induce irreversible changes in the aquatic ecosystem. Water quality management should aim at restoring former pike habitat. Submerged weeds are important to that effect. These habitats are characterized by relatively low densities of fish stocks. Stocking of bream and carp interferes strongly with these objectives. With respect to fish stocks, interests of water quality and fishery management may be opposed.     

Effects of mass removal and variable recruitment on nutrient excretion by a planktivorous roach stock

The effects of intensive fishing and fish recruitment on the nutrient excretion rate by a planktivorous roach Rutilus rutilus stock in Lake Vesijärvi were estimated using a bioenergetics model. The values were compared with those given by the model assuming that no mass removal occurred or that the mass removal ceased after 2 years. According to the model, during June-August 1989 phosphorus (P) excretion by the pelagic roach stock corresponded to 18% of the annual external P loading and showed a maximum of 0.4 mg m⁻² day⁻¹. As a result of mass removal, the maximum daily P excretion declined to 0.18 mg m⁻² by 1990 and to 0.10 mg m⁻² by 1992. The reduction was due to the lower number of roach, while the excretion rates of individual fish were unaffected. A 2-year mass removal would have temporarily reduced the P excretion rate, but in 1991 and 1992 the highest daily excretion rates would have been doubled compared with values after the 4-year mass removal. Assuming no fishing mortality, interannual differences were diminished and the excretion rates in 1991 and 1992 were 2.5 times higher than the values after the 4-year mass removal. The results suggest that nutrient recycling by fish stocks may be affected substantially by fisheries management. However, the effects are dependent on the timing of fishing due to the variations in the year class strength of fish. In Lake Vesijärvi the reduction in nutrient excretion was amplified coincidentally by the natural variation in recruitment of the roach stock.     

Biomanipulation development in Norway

Since 1974 several studies have been carried out in Norway to investigate the interactions between planktivorous fish, zooplankton, phytoplankton and water chemistry. Since 1978 a long-term national research program has been conducted by the Norwegian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (NTNF). In this program several whole lake manipulations of the fish stocks have been performed to test hypotheses about trophic interactions. It was predicted that manipulations of planktivorous fish populations, might also improve water quality in lakes undergoing eutrophication. Two examples are given to illustrate the achieved results. I: Whole lake fertilization experiment (1974–1978) carried out by Langeland and Reinertsen. The results revealed the importance of top-down effects in the lake ecosystem. When cladocerans dominated, the zooplankton community was able to maintain a more or less constant phytoplankton biomass and a rather low phytoplankton production even when nutrient levels were increased. During years with rotifer dominance, algal biomass and productivity increased, despite the low amounts of added nutrients. II: Experiment performed by Reinertsen, Jensen, Koksvik, Langeland and Olsen in the eutrophic Lake Haugatjern, total elimination of the fish populations by rotenone in late 1980, resulted in a 4-fold decrease in the algal biomass. The species composition changed from the dominance of large-sizedAnabaena flos-aquae andStaurastrum luetkemuelleri to smaller, fastgrowing species and gelatinous green algae. The results are discussed in relation to management of inland waters by combined techniques of biomanipulation and reduced external nutrient supply which increase food-chain efficiency.     

Mesocosm experiments on nutrient and fish effects on shallow lake food webs in a Mediterranean climate

1. Nutrient and fish manipulations in mesocosms were carried out on food‐web interactions in a Mediterranean shallow lake in south‐east Spain. Nutrients controlled biomass of phytoplankton and periphyton, while zooplankton, regulated by planktivorous fish, influenced the relative percentages of the dominant phytoplankton species. 2. Phytoplankton species diversity decreased with increasing nutrient concentration and planktivorous fish density. Cyanobacteria grew well in both turbid and clear‐water states. 3. Planktivorous fish increased concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP). Larger zooplankters (mostly Ceriodaphnia and copepods) were significantly reduced when fish were present, whereas rotifers increased, after fish removal of cyclopoid predators and other filter feeders (cladocerans, nauplii). The greatest biomass and diversity of zooplankton was found at intermediate nutrient levels, in mesocosms without fish and in the presence of macrophytes. 4. Water level decrease improved underwater light conditions and favoured macrophyte persistence. Submerged macrophytes (Chara spp.) outcompeted algae up to an experimental nutrient loading equivalent to added concentrations of 0.06 mg L^?1 PO₄‐P and 0.6 mg L^?1 NO₃‐N, above which an exponential increase in periphyton biomass and algal turbidity caused characean biomass to decline. 5. Declining water levels during summer favoured plant‐associated rotifer species and chroococcal cyanobacteria. High densities of chroococcal cyanobacteria were related to intermediate nutrient enrichment and the presence of small zooplankton taxa, while filamentous cyanobacteria were relatively more abundant in fishless mesocosms, in which Crustacea were more abundant, and favoured by dim underwater light. 6. Benthic macroinvertebrates increased significantly at intermediate nutrient levels but there was no relationship with planktivorous fish density. 7. The thresholds of nutrient loading and in‐lake P required to avoid a turbid state and maintain submerged macrophytes were lower than those reported from temperate shallow lakes. Mediterranean shallow lakes may remain turbid with little control of zooplankton on algal biomass, as observed in tropical and subtropical lakes. Nutrient loading control and macrophyte conservation appear to be especially important in these systems to maintain high water quality.     

Impacts of bleak (Alburnus alburnus) and roach (Rutilus rutilus) on water quality,sedimentation and internal nutrient loading

Lake Vesijärvi, southern Finland, suffered sewere eutrophication by sewage effluent from the city of Lahti during the 1960's and the early 1970's. The municipal sewage loading was diverted from the lake in 1976 and the lake started to recover. However, in the 1980's blue-green algal blooms increased again and the recovery of the lake faded. Enclosure experiments demonstrated that high roach (Rutilus rutilus) biomass is one of the key factors in the fading recovery of the lake. In this study, the influence of roach and another cyprinid fish species (bleak, Alburnus alburnus) to planktonic algal productivity and biomass in Lake Vesijärvi was examined. Enclosure experiments in the field showed the impacts of planktivorous bleak on water quality; in an enclosure with a density of 1 fish m^–2 average daily algal production (1370 mg C m^–2) and chlorophyll-a concentration (50–90 µg 1^–1) were more than twice that in an enclosure without fish. Laboratory experiments showed that the availability of planktonic food affects the foraging behaviour of roach and consequently the internal nutrient loading from the sediment into the water. Roach caused the highest phosphorus loading and turbidity when there was no zooplanktonic food available in the water. The possible interactions between planktivorous and omnivorous fish species are discussed.     

Changes in nutrient use efficiency, status and retranslocation in young post-fire regeneration Pinus halepensis in response to sudden N and P input, irrigation and removal of competing vegetation

The capacity of Mediterranean species to adapt to variable nutrient supply levels in a global change context can be a key factor to predict their future capacity to compete and survive in this new scenario. We aimed to investigate the capacity of a typical Mediterranean tree species, Pinus halepensis, to respond to sudden changes in N and P supply in different environmental conditions. We conducted a fertilisation, irrigation and removal of competing vegetation experiment in a calcareous post-fire shrubland with an homogeneous young (5 years old) population of P. halepensis in order to investigate the retranslocation and nutrient status for the principal nutrients (N, P, Mg, K, S, Ca and Fe), and the nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of the most important nutrients linked to photosynthetic capacity (N, P, Mg and K). P fertilisation increased P concentration in needles, P, N, Mg and K retranslocations, and NUE calculated as biomass production per unit of nutrient lost in the litterfall. The P fertilisation was able to increase the aboveground biomasses and P concentration 3 years after P fertiliser application. Those responses to P fertilisation were enhanced by the removal of competing vegetation. The N needle and litterfall concentration decreased after P fertilisation and this effect was greater when the P fertilisation was accompanied by removal of competing vegetation. The increase of P availability decreased the P-NUE and increased the N-NUE when these variables were calculated as aboveground biomass production per unit of P present in the biomass. Both P-NUE and N-NUE increased when calculated as total aboveground production per unit of nutrient loss. The results show that it is necessary to calculate NUE on a different basis to have a wider understanding of nutrient use. The irrigation did not change the needle nutrient concentrations and the litterfall production, but it significantly changed the nutrient litterfall concentrations and total aboveground contents (especially P and K). These results show a high capacity of P. halepensis to quickly respond to a limiting nutrient such as P in the critical phases of post-fire regeneration. The increase in P availability had a positive effect on growth and P concentrations and contents in aboveground biomass, thus increasing the capacity of growth in future periods and avoiding immediate runoff losses and leachate. This capacity also strongly depends on neighbour competition.     

Nutrient concentrations in a Littorella uniflora community at higher CO2 concentrations and reduced light intensities

1. Oligotrophic softwater lakes represent a special type of aquatic ecosystem with unique plant communities where generalisations from other aquatic plant communities to rising CO₂ in the water column may not apply. 2. In the present study, we set up large in situ mesocosms and supporting laboratory experiments with isoetid vegetation (Littorella uniflora) where water column CO₂ and light could be manipulated in order to test whether (i) light and CO₂ availability affect nutrient concentrations in isoetid vegetation, and (ii) if changes in light and CO₂ climate affect fluxes of inorganic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from sediment to water column, which potentially could result in increased growth of epiphytic algae. 3. The results showed that the standing stocks of phosphorus and nitrogen in the L. uniflora vegetation were significantly influenced by CO₂ concentration and light intensity. Both standing stocks of P and N were significantly higher in the mesocosm treatments with high CO₂ concentration than in those at low CO₂ concentration. Similarly, standing stocks of P and N enhanced with increasing light intensity. 4. Measurements of nutrient fluxes both in the field and the laboratory did not show any significant release of nutrients to the water column from plants or sediments at any of the light or CO₂ treatments. However, mats of epiphytic algae developed from the beginning of June to late September and caused a light reduction for the isoetid vegetation. 5. Increasing CO₂ concentrations in the water column may over time potentially result in a change in soft water plant communities.     

Omnivory by Planktivores Stabilizes Plankton Dynamics, but May Either Promote or Reduce Algal Biomass

Classical models of phytoplankton–zooplankton interaction show that with nutrient enrichment such systems may abruptly shift from limit cycles to stable phytoplankton domination due to zooplankton predation by planktivorous fish. Such models assume that planktivorous fish eat only zooplankton, but there are various species of filter-feeding fish that may also feed on phytoplankton. Here, we extend these classical models to systematically explore the effects of omnivory by planktivorous fish. Our analysis indicates that if fish forage on phytoplankton in addition to zooplankton, the alternative attractors predicted by the classical models disappear for all realistic parameter settings, even if omnivorous fish have a strong preference for zooplankton. Our model also shows that the level of fish biomass above which zooplankton collapse should be higher when fish are omnivorous than when fish are zooplanktivorous. We also used the model to explore the potential effects of the now increasingly common practice of stocking lakes with filter-feeding fish to control cyanobacteria. Because omnivorous filter-feeding fish forage on phytoplankton as well as on the main grazers of phytoplankton, the net effect of such fish on the phytoplankton biomass is not obvious. Our model suggests that there may be a unimodal relationship between the biomass of omnivorous filter-feeding fish and the biomass of phytoplankton. This implies that to manage for reductions in phytoplankton biomass, heavy stocking or strong reduction of such fish is best.     

亚热带不同植被恢复阶段林地凋落物层现存量和养分特征

为揭示亚热带森林植被自然恢复过程中,凋落物层现存量及其养分元素储存能力的演变,采用空间代替时间的方法,在位于亚热带丘陵区的长沙县选取地域相邻、生境条件基本一致的檵木+南烛+杜鹃灌草丛(Loropetalum chinense+Vaccinium bracteatum+Rhododendron simsii scrub-grass-land,LVR)、檵木+杉木+白栎灌木林(L.chinense+Cunninghamia lanceolata+Quercus fabri shrubbery,LCQ)、马尾松+柯+檵木针阔混交林(Pinus massoniana+Lithocarpus glaber+L.chinense coniferous-broad leaved mixed forest,PLL)、柯+红淡比+青冈常绿阔叶林(L.glaber+Cleyera japonica+Cyclobalanopsis glauca evergreen broad-leaved forest,LAG)作为一个恢复序列,设置固定样地,采集未分解层(U层)、半分解层(S层)、已分解层(D层)凋落物样...     

Response of the cladoceran community to eutrophication, fish introductions and degradation of the macrophyte vegetation in Lake Dianchi, a large, shallow plateau lake in southwestern China

A paleolimnological evaluation was made in order to analyze the effects of increasing nutrient load, macrophyte degradation and fish introductions on the cladoceran community of a large, shallow plateau lake in southwestern China. The trophic state of Lake Dianchi has increased rapidly during recent decades, its macrophyte vegetation has suffered severe degradation, and fish introductions in the late 1950s and early 1980s have had a marked effect on the structure of the fish community. Our results show an increase in abundance of cladoceran species with a preference for eutrophic conditions over the last few decades, while species preferring oligotrophic conditions have decreased or disappeared. These changes correspond to the eutrophication in Lake Dianchi. The loss of the cladocerans Kurzia latissima and Disparalona rostrata is likely to be a reflection of the degradation of the macrophyte community. An increase in Daphnia body size indicated by the ephippia length since the early 1990s is associated with the decline of planktivorous species.     

Seasonal variation in the interactions between piscivorous fish,planktivorous fish and zooplankton in a shallow eutrophic lake

The interactions between the higher trophic levels in a shallow eutrophic lake were studied during the course of a year. Three fish species determined the main pathways of organic matter flow within the system: the predominantly planktivorous bream (Abramis brama), the obligate planktivorous smelt (Osmerus eperlanus), and the piscivorous pikeperch (Stizostedion lucioperca). Of the thirteen common zooplankton taxa Daphnia hyalina and cyclopoid copepods were utilized most by the planktivorous fish, while the large production of small cladocerans is almost left unutilized.The seasonal variations of production and consumption are large. This is mainly affected by seasonal variation of the water temperature. The production of O + smelt is efficiently utilized by the pikeperch. Being the most important zooplankton consumer, as well as the most important prey group, O + fish plays a key role in the Tjeukemeer food web.     

Alternative stable states in eutrophic,shallow freshwater systems: A minimal model

A simple mathematical model was constructed, describing the relationships between pike, bream, aquatic macrophytes and the nutrient loading of shallow lakes. The model is analyzed with the use of zero-isoclines. It is concluded that, over a certain range of nutrient concentrations, the ecological relations incorporated in the model can give rise to the existence of two alternative stable equilibria;viz. a turbid bream-dominated one, and a clear state in which pike and aquatic vegetation are abundant. Under oligotrophic conditions, the clear-water state represents the only stable equilibrium; however, at high nutrient levels, the clear state is absent, or only locally stable. The response of the model to both increase and decrease of the nutrient level is characterised by hysteresis. The results indicate that manipulation of fish densities as a measure to improve water quality is only likely to produce long-term results when the nutrient level is below a certain threshold.     

Indirect effect of different fish communities on nutrient chlorophyll relationship in shallow hypertrophic water quality reservoirs

Effects of different fish communities on the proportion of different nitrogen and phosphorous forms and the amount of phytoplankton (chlorophyll a) were examined in two consecutive years (1992–1993) in three Hungarian shallow water reservoirs (Cassette and outer reservoir of the Kis–Balaton Water Protection System, and Marcali reservoir). Possible interactions between nutrient concentrations and the amount of phytoplankton in these reservoirs were also examined. Considerable differences in the proportions of different nutrient forms were observed between the three test sites, which could be explained by the presence of different fish stocks in these reservoirs. In the Cassette, the fish biomass necessary for a water quality improvement was around 50 kg ha⁻¹. Phytoplankton biomass was controlled by the zooplankton, consequently chlorophyll a concentrations decreased considerably, while those of dissolved nutrients significantly increased. In the outer reservoir, phytoplankton was controlled bottom-up, since the 250 kg ha⁻¹ fish biomass was larger than the critical value due to the high proportion of planktivorous species. Chlorophyll a concentrations were high, and nutrients were mainly in particulate form (in algal cells). In the Marcali reservoir, the recently introduced silver carp population could not control fully the phytoplankton. The biomass of phytoplankton decreased only slightly, while its composition changed considerably. Although biomanipulation with silver carp is suitable for ceasing cyanobacterial blooms, reduction of the amount of planktivorous fish seems to be a more adequate method for increasing water transparency, rather than introduction of phytoplankton feeding fish.

     

Warming shifts top-down and bottom-up control of pond food web structure and function

The effects of global and local environmental changes are transmitted through networks of interacting organisms to shape the structure of communities and the dynamics of ecosystems. We tested the impact of elevated temperature on the top-down and bottom-up forces structuring experimental freshwater pond food webs in western Canada over 16 months. Experimental warming was crossed with treatments manipulating the presence of planktivorous fish and eutrophication through enhanced nutrient supply. We found that higher temperatures produced top-heavy food webs with lower biomass of benthic and pelagic producers, equivalent biomass of zooplankton, zoobenthos and pelagic bacteria, and more pelagic viruses. Eutrophication increased the biomass of all organisms studied, while fish had cascading positive effects on periphyton, phytoplankton and bacteria, and reduced biomass of invertebrates. Surprisingly, virus biomass was reduced in the presence of fish, suggesting the possibility for complex mechanisms of top-down control of the lytic cycle. Warming reduced the effects of eutrophication on periphyton, and magnified the already strong effects of fish on phytoplankton and bacteria. Warming, fish and nutrients all increased whole-system rates of net production despite their distinct impacts on the distribution of biomass between producers and consumers, plankton and benthos, and microbes and macrobes. Our results indicate that warming exerts a host of indirect effects on aquatic food webs mediated through shifts in the magnitudes of top-down and bottom-up forcing.     

Changes in the lower trophic levels as a consequence of the level of fish manipulation in the ponds

Cyprinid fish of different mature age classes (3+ -4+) and stocks (100, 300 and 500 kg/ha) were introduced into each of three experimental ponds with area of 0.3 ha (average depth ca 1.7 m) while the fourth pond was left free of fish. Bream (Abramis brama L.), white bream (Blicca bjoerkna L.) and roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) made up 75% of the total cyprinid biomass, with wild carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) as the remaining 25%. The introduced fish spawned successfully. The high (above 300 kg/ha) planktivorous and benthivorous fish stocks resulted in several qualitative and quantitative alterations of the food chain structure in our simulation pond experiments. These alterations must primarily be assigned to changes caused by both the zooplanktivory and benthivory nature of the stocked fish populations. At the higher levels of fish biomass, Secchi depth was influenced significantly by chlorophyll-a concentration. Most of the variance in suspended solids concentration could be explained by the biomass ratio of the mature benthivorous fish. There was a clear shift in algal cell size in the ponds with the higher fish stocks: ponds with more fish had larger cells later in the summer. The relative influence of young cyprinid fish on crustaceans species composition and biomass, and mature populations on benthic fauna abundance and biomass, was sufficiently greater at higher (300–500 kg/ha) fish stock rates.     

滇中退化山地不同植被恢复下土壤碳氮磷储量与生态化学计量特征

植被恢复对土壤营养元素的存赋及其生态化学计量特征的影响广受关注,为了深入了解不同植被恢复类型下土壤碳、氮、磷储量与生态化学计量特征,选择滇中地区退化山地飒马场流域具有代表性的4种不同修复阶段的典型植被(荒坡灌草丛、云南松林、针阔混交林和次生常绿阔叶林)为研究对象,分析了不同植被类型下不同深度土壤中有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)储量和化学计量变化特征。结果表明,退化山地的植被恢复显著改变土壤碳氮磷储存能力和化学计量比,这种改变作用整体上随土壤深度增加而降低。其中,在0—60 cm土层上,SOC储量在次生常绿阔叶林最高,达123.41 t/hm²,其次是针阔混交林(115.69 t/hm²)和云南松林(93.08 t/hm²),荒坡灌草丛(89.56 t/hm²)最低;TN储量针阔混交林(4.91 t/hm²)>次生常绿阔叶林(4.58 t/hm²)>云南松林(4.43 t/hm²)>荒坡灌草丛(3.98 ...     

Diatom community succession in the recent history of a eutrophic Yunnan Plateau lake, Lake Dianchi, in subtropical China

Fish introduction, eutrophication and disappearance of aquatic vegetation are important disturbances of aquatic ecosystems, especially in plateau lakes, which are generally considered to be very vulnerable. Fish were introduced to Lake Dianchi, a eutrophic plateau lake in southwest China, in the late 1950s and 1970s. After the introduction, invasive fish became the dominant species, and the total fish yield increased. Meanwhile, the trophic level of Lake Dianchi had a tendency to increase in the past decades because of the increases in human activities in the watershed area. In addition, the area of aquatic vegetation decreased from more than 90 to 1.8% of the lake area from the 1950s to 2000. This study investigated the effects of fish introduction, eutrophication and aquatic vegetation on the diatom community of Lake Dianchi by examining the changes of microfossil diatom assemblage and abundance. Results showed that the absolute abundance and diatom assemblages changed after fish were introduced. The endemic species, Cyclotella rohomboideo-elliptica, disappeared with the introduction of fish and increasing trophic levels after 1958. Fragilaria crotonensis entered into the lake with the introduction of fish and gradually thrived in the lake after 1958. Diatom species numbers also decreased gradually from 21 to 9 from the past to present. Epiphytic diatoms disappeared with the decrease of aquatic vegetation after 1985. Our study indicated that eutrophication was the most important process determining diatom abundance, and fish introduction was a secondary process determining diatom abundance, while aquatic vegetation had a more important role in structuring the diatom community in this eutrophic plateau lake.