Seasonal succession of algae in a eutrophic stream in Southern England

The epipelic and epilithic algal communities in a small eutrophic stream situated in southern England expanded rapidly during March of both 1973 and 1974 primarily in response to changing light conditions. Although numbers varied greatly during the summer, these fluctuations were probably not due to nutrient, temperature or light conditions. High rates of disappearance of algae from the substrate were correlated with flooding, a deterioration of attachment characteristics and high metabolic rates. The episammic algal community consisted of only a few species, all of which showed maximum development during the summer. Although the well developed attachment mechanism and small size of the species undoubtedly aid in their ability to colonize sand grains, each species must be able to withstand frequent burial in the bottom deposits. Although temperature was probably an important factor controlling the number of epiphytes associated with Cladophora glomerata, light seemed to be of relatively less importance. Large numbers of isopods, amphipods and copepods occurred in the stream but their grazing seemed to have had little effect of the standing crop of the algae.     

Factors determining periphytic algae succession in a tropical hypereutrophic reservoir

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of cyanobacterial blooms on periphyton algal succession and to identify the factors determining community dynamics in a tropical hypereutrophic reservoir. A variety of factors affecting periphytic community structure were identified at two different sites with domestic sewage and spring water inflows and two climatic periods. Microscope glass slides were used to assess periphyton growth. Sampling was carried out at short regular intervals (3–5 days) over 30 days. Climatic periods were limnologically distinct. The rainy period was characterized by an intense cyanobacterial bloom and the dry period by a less intense bloom. Periphyton biomass and growth tended to increase with colonization time during the dry period. Cyanobacteria and Bacillariophyceae were the most representative groups in the rainy period whereas Bacillariophyceae was dominant in the dry period. Community species had successional patterns in both climatic periods. The successional trajectory for sites 1 (domestic sewage) and 2 (spring water) was different in the dry period but similar in the rainy period. We concluded that the community structure over 30 days of colonization under hypereutrophic conditions was primarily determined by seasonal scale (bloom intensity), followed by successional scale (autogenic), and, finally, by the local scale (spring water and sewage inflow). Positive periphyton biological response (higher biomass and algal growth, dominance of diatoms, Cyanobacteria reduction) during small variations of bloom intensity may indicate rapid re-establishment of the community during recovery of the ecosystem.     

Late Ordovician palaeoceanographic changes as reflected in the Hirnantian–early Llandovery succession of Jämtland, Sweden

A study of the Upper Ordovician–Lower Silurian strata in Jämtland, central Sweden, shows that large-scale changes in shelf deposition took place close to the systems boundary. These changes include unconformity development and the replacement of a siliciclastic shelf with a carbonate-dominated shelf, suggesting the interaction of allocyclic controls such as changing eustatic sea-level and climate. The 6-m-thick Ede Formation is a key lithosome for interpretation of this transition. Its sediments were deposited in the Caledonian foreland basin, situated east of the closing Iapetus Ocean on the western margin of the Baltic craton. A major part of the late Caradoc to late Ashgill (into the Hirnantian) was characterised by continuous and uniform deposition over wide areas (Kogsta Formation), whereas erosional surfaces and complex lateral facies relationships characterise the Ordovician–Silurian boundary strata (Ede Formation and lateral equivalents). The Ede Formation represents the end of terrigenous deposition, which in the middle Aeronian was followed by regional expansion of carbonate deposition (Berge Formation). A syn-sedimentary erosional surface, with at least 1 m of relief locally, forms the lower boundary of the Ede Formation. This surface is overlain by two types of conglomerate. Lower parts of the Ede Formation consist of medium to thick-bedded quartzites. A second erosional surface with only minor (few centimetres) relief occurs on top of these quartzites. The upper parts of the Ede Formation consist of a thin, basal favositid biostrome overlain by thin bedded, calcareous sandstones, limestones and intensely bioturbated shales. Analysis of stratigraphic boundaries and the facies succession suggests that the lower Ede Formation represents a major downward shift in coastal onlap and by-pass sedimentation that created the lower erosional surface. The erosional surface in the middle of the Ede Formation is inferred to have formed during the subsequent maximum lowstand or as a ravinement surface, and is interpreted as an unconformity. The succession is subdivided into four facies associations, each corresponding to a specific systems tract: (a) a Shale–Siltstone Association (uppermost Kogsta Formation), deposited during a highstand situation in mid-outer shelf areas; (b) a Quartzite Association (the lower Ede Formation), deposited during forced regression in a shoreface environment; (c) a Mixed Carbonate–Siliciclastic Association (the upper Ede Formation), deposited during transgression in a wave-dominated, proximal shelf environment when clastic supply was reduced; and (d) a Micritic Limestone Association (lowermost Berge Formation), deposited during a second highstand situation in a low-energy, offshore environment.

Conodont data, together with a previously reported Hirnantia fauna, constrain the position of the Ordovician–Silurian boundary to the lower 1.65 m of the Ede Formation, or less likely, to the uppermost metre of the underlying Kogsta Formation, i.e., within a 2.65-m-thick uncertainty interval. The base of the Berge Formation is about 4 m above the top of the uncertainty interval, and is dated as being mid-Aeronian in age, suggesting condensation and/or a hiatus close to, or at, the Ordovician–Silurian boundary. These data tie the unconformity and the regional facies change from a siliciclastic to a carbonate-dominated shelf to Late Ordovician–Early Silurian eustatic and climatic changes.     

The use of epiphytic algae to indicate environmental changes

The distribution of an epiphytic alga, shown in earlier studies to be an indicator species, has changed after modification of environmental conditions.     

The significance of waterfowl grazing in the primary vegetation succession on embanked sandflats

In the annual stage of a primary plant succession on desalinating sandflats of the Lauwerszeepolder, N Netherlands, grazing by waterfowl is a dominant factor, as is illustrated by exclosures. It is concluded from population dynamical data, that both the removal of biomass and the predation of seeds sustain the annual species and retard succession to wards the next stage of a perennial grassland by several years. Yearly mowing in September slightly enhances succession by selectively affecting the dominant annual Salicornia species. The recurrence of high salinities in the upper soil layer of bare, c.q. grazed surfaces is expected to limit the invasion of grass species and other perennials.Nomenclature of plant taxa follows Heukels/van der Meijden (1983), Flora van Nederland, 20th ed. Wolters-Noordhoff, Groningen.This article would not have been written without the contributions of many students and colleagues, equally aware of the rare opportunity we had to study a genuine primary succession. I wish to thank them all. The help in the moving experiment of J. Franke, S. Nijdam, the late M. Robertus, H. Vrieling and J. D. D. Hofman is gratefully acknowledged. Thanks are due to the State Authority of the IJssellake Polders, for permitting access to and use of the experimental areas.     

Ecological succession in oligotrophic pastures of central Spain

The dynamics of oligotrophic pastures were analyzed in the area of El Pardo (Central Spain), and related with geomorphological features and time elapsed since the last ploughing. A sampling of the area was carried out regarding these two factors. The data were subjected to correspondence analysis, which showed the progressive replacement of species related to succession, variation along slopes, with a tight interaction between both phenomena.The correspondence between vegetation change and slope geomorphology is closer as succession progresses.Authoritics for species names are meationed in Table 1.     

Seasonal succession of planktonic and epiphytic algae in a canal in Southern England

The standing crop of phytoplankton in a canal in southern England remained low during 1973 and 1974, seldom exceeding 5 × 10⁴ cells/1. Since phosphorus, nitrogen and silicon occurred abundantly in the water, competition with higher plants for some other substance must have limited development. Although the standing crop of epiphytic algae associated withNasturtium officinale andGroenlandia densa seemed to be limited by the number of attachment sites, this factor was of little importance in the case of algae attached toCladophora glomerata. Achnanthes minutissima v.cryptocephala was always predominant in the epiphytic assemblages, representing 50–8o% by numbers of the flora. The limited pool of predominant epiphytic taxa may have restricted the communities' ability to adapt to fluctuations in environmental conditions. The grazing of isopods, amphipods and molluscs probably never limited algal densities.     

香溪河库湾浮游藻类种类演替及水华发生趋势分析

三峡水库一期工程蓄水前半年(2003年1月—2003年6月)和蓄水后(2003年7月—2004年12月)期间,香溪河库湾浮游藻类的种类演替和数量变化的调查结果。与蓄水前的数据相比,蓄水仅半年绿藻的种类数就明显增加,约相当于蓄水前的3倍;硅藻的种类数略有减少;其余各门藻类的种类数亦有轻度变化。整个调查期间,藻类细胞密度和生物量的最高峰值均出现在S6采样点,细胞密度达6.93×107cells/L(2004年6月),生物量达87.24mg/L(2004年3月),其余采样点基本显示由北向南依次递减的趋势。本文参考早期资料并比较不同类型水域中藻类的种类演替和垂直分布情况,对三峡湖北库区水域水华的发生趋势进行了分析,初步认为三峡干流江段形成藻类水华的几率较小;流动的支流水域,在阳光充足、水温逐渐升高的春季容易发生藻类水华;在较封闭的静水区则随时都有发生藻类水华的可能性。     

Post-fire succession of small mammals in the Cerrado of central Brazil

In the Cerrado savannas from Brazil fire events are common and strongly influence the vegetation structure and, consequently, the associated small mammals. In this paper, we investigate changes in the structure of small mammal communities related to sites of different post-fire ages. Mammals were captured in similar Cerrado sites that differed in time since the last burn (1 to 26 yr). We sampled six sites in the wet season of 1997 (phase 1) and, three years later, six sites in the wet and dry seasons (phase 2). Six rodent species and four marsupials were captured. Community composition changed drastically as a function of time since fire. The diversity and abundance of small mammals reached maximum values in the early successional stages. The rodent Calomys tener was present only in early seral stages. The rodent Bolomys lasiurus was more frequent in mid-successional stages and decreased in later seral stages, and the rodent Oryzomys subflavus occupied all successional stages. The marsupial Gracilinanus agilis was dominant in the area that did not burn for at least 23 yr. Changes in composition of the community of small mammals were more accelerated in early successional stages, when there are more drastic vegetational changes. The ability of small mammals to cope with Cerrado fires and the great dissimilarity among post-burning seral stages suggest that a mosaic of areas representing different post-fire seral stages could increase the regional diversity of this group.     

Community succession in small bioherms of algae and sponges in the Lower Permian of New Mexico

Toomey. Donald F. & Cys. John M. 1979 01 15: Community succession in small bioherms of algae and sponges in the Lower Permian of New Mexico. Lethaia , Vol. 12. pp. 65–74. Oslo. ISSN 0024–1164.
Small organic mounds outcrop in the Lower Permian Laborcita Formation of the northern Sacramento Mountains of southcentral New Mexico. These small organic structures, up to I'm in height and 3 m in diameter, are unique because they show a well developed vertical biolic zonation. This zonation consists of an initial pioneer community composed of small digitate or plumose colonies of algae and foraminifers (Stage 1). This is followed by a climax community that is first dominated by laminar colonies of the red alga Archaeolithophyllum (Stage 2). and followed by a terminal community composed of minor Archaeolithophyllum , erect heliosponges and brachiopods, dominated by the form Composita (Stage 3). Evidence suggests that the mounds initially developed in shallow water within an open lagoon but. with continued transgression and rapid deepening of the depositional environment. the biota responded to the changes. The organic buildups were killed off by sudden influx of clastics from a tectonically active nearby landmass.     

Complicated colobomatous microphthalmia in the microphthalmic (mi/mi) mouse

A study of the development of the eye in the cinnamon mouse, homozygous for the gene for microphthalmia (mi), has shown that the microphthalmia is due to failure of secondary vitreous formation associated with a coloboma. The retina is dystrophic but there is a residual population of large ganglion cells and the optic nerve also contains ganglion cells. All these ganglion cells have cytoplasm similar to the retinal ganglion cells in the normal controls. It is postulated that they communicate with axons in the optic nerve. In addition, the outer epithelial layer of the eye cup, which normally becomes pigmented, forms retinal tissue in the homozygous mouse and this is also true of the dorsal part of the eyestalk near the eye.     

Secondary succession in a fallow central European wet grassland

This long-term study (23 yr) aims at specifying the characteristic features of secondary progressive successions in abandoned wet eutrophic grasslands as a precondition for better understanding causal relationships and improving the predictability of successions on such habitats. The vegetation of inundated fen grasslands (Calthion) at the lower course of the river Wümme near Bremen (Northwest Germany) was studied annually on three permanent plots (each 10×10 m²) where hay making had ceased in 1983, 1985 and 1992, respectively. In the initial succession phase of three to five years a fast increase of tall-growing, rhizomatous, deciduous reed species (e.g. Phalaris arundinacea) occurred. This strongly changed vegetation structure and within-canopy light climate, which was the reason for the strong decrease in species diversity. Rhizomes are hypothesized to be a key factor of high competitiveness in abandoned wet grasslands because this organ combines multiple advantageous functions: low-risk vegetative propagation, nutrient storage and nutrient re-allocation between above- and below-ground plant organs, all these functions allowing for a gradual build-up of a high biomass. Extinct grassland species (e.g. Senecio aquaticus) represent a contrasting set of plant traits such as small stature, short lifespan, prevailing generative reproduction and evergreen leaves. The subsequent succession phase commencing about five years after mowing was ceased was characterized by persistence of the established reed vegetation, which prevented tree colonisation until today. Secondary successions in abandoned wet eutrophic grasslands can be predicted on the level of plant communities and functional species groups considering changes in the habitat (esp. light climate), the presence of reed species with a specific set of plant traits in the “Initial Floristic Composition” and their potentially high competitive vigour.     

涠洲岛造礁石珊瑚群落变化特征及其环境影响因子

以涠洲岛造礁石珊瑚群落为研究对象,分析其群落物种组成、多样性、Raunkiaer频度和种间Spearman轶相关,探讨群落组成与水环境因子的相关性,并结合近10年来涠洲岛造礁石珊瑚变化情况,找出涠洲岛造礁石珊瑚群落的主导影响因素。结果表明：（1）近10年来涠洲岛造礁石珊瑚覆盖率显著降低,珊瑚形态组成趋于块状化,尽管珊瑚群落多样性较高,但群落分布较松散,群落结构较不稳定,部分优势种种间竞争较激烈。（2）悬浮物含量是影响石珊瑚群落最显著的环境因子。石珊瑚优势种群在不同水深中分布差异显著,泥沙覆盖率、营养盐对不同石珊瑚种群影响差异较大,大型海藻覆盖率在局部区域对优势珊瑚形成较强的竞争关系。（3）营养盐和泥沙沉积物的增加与涠洲岛近海养殖业及生活排污、海岸工程及海岸侵蚀密切相关。     

黄土丘陵沟壑区植被恢复演替过程中根系行为特征

根系的结构与生态功能特征称为根系行为特征,研究根系行为特征对黄土区植被恢复具有重要意义。采用非线性计算方法,采集黄土区4种典型退耕植被群落根系、土壤样品,分析根系形态特征、基于径级的根长分形维数、根系生态位指数与土壤有机碳的关系。结果显示:根长密度、根生物量、根系直径随着退耕演替的发展存在缓慢增大趋势。退耕演替发展的2—21年中,根系平均分维数由2.77显著减小至2.59(P0.05),生态位指数由3.75显著增大至9.37(P0.05)。根系的生态功能性对丰富土壤有机碳具有极显著的影响效果,根系分维数与生态位指数呈极显著负相关(P0.01),即根系的结构特征直接决定了根系综合生态功能,表现为结构越复杂,功能性越强。     

The structure and phylogenetic significance of the flagellar transition region in the chlorophyll c-containing algae.

An electron-dense helix is the most conspicuous structure in the flagellar transition region of members of the algal class Chrysophyceae. This “transitional helix” (TH) lies immediately distal to a partition across the flagellar axoneme which occurs exactly at the level at which the flagellum enters the cell body. The helix surrounds the central axonemal pair and lies at a distance of 10 nm from the 9 peripheral doublets. From the new data presented and a survey of published observations on the structure of the transition region of all the chlorophyll c-containing classes of algae, it is shown that a TH characteristic of the Chrysophyceae, Xanthophyceae and Eustigmatophyceae. The number of TH gyres varies from 3 to 6 in the Xanthophyceae and from 1 to 8 in the Chrysophyceae. In any one species, however, the TH is the same size in both the long flagellum which bears tubular mastigonemes and in the short smooth flagellum, though in some chrysophytes where the short flagellum is vestigial the number is fewer than in the normal flagellum. A TH appears to be absent from the Rhaphidophyceae and zoids of the Bacillariophyceae and Phaeophyceae though the structure of the transition region in these groups otherwise resembles that of the Chrysophyceae, Xanthophyceae and Eustigmatophyceae.The value of transition region variation in determining evolutionary relationships among the chlorophyll c-containing algal classes is assessed against a background of current ideas on their taxonomy and phylogeny. The relevant structural and biochemical features are tabled, and a phylogenetic scheme is presented which appears most logically to interpret these data. It is suggested that the line leading to the Eustigmatophyceae probably diverged from that leading to the strictly heterokont classes Xanthophyceae, Chrysophyceae, Phaeophyceae and Bacillariophyceae before evolution of a girdle lamella in the chloroplast and a photoreceptor apparatus involving a swelling at the proximal end of the short flagellum and an intraplastidial eyespot. The possession of a TH by both the Chrysophyceae and Xanthophyceae adds further support to the concept of their close relationship based on a range of other features. The exceptional absence of a TH from the chrysophycean genera Pedinella and Pseudopedinella reinforces the idea that these taxa are remote from the main chrysophycean line. Absence of a TH from the Phaeophyceae and Bacillariophyceae which otherwise share many important features with the Chrysophyceae and Xanthophyceae is probably a result of loss owing to the functional and morphological specialization of the zoids of these two groups. Transition region structure does not clarify the possible relationships of the Rhaphidophyceae, Prymnesiophyceae, Cryptophyceae or Dinophyceae.The proposed phylogeny supports the idea of a mutually related “heterokont” protist assemblage comprising the Chrysophyceae, Xanthophyceae, Phaeophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and possibly Rhaphidophyceae and the Oomycetes (water moulds) though in the latter the TH is replaced by a dense cylinder with a corrugated wall which may or may not be homologous with it. Structures resembling a TH have been described in a wide variety of other flagellated cells including the prasinophyte Pyraminonas orientalis, one species of the colourless flagellate genus Bicosoeca and the proteromonads Karotomorpha and Proteromonas. Only in the latter genera does homology with a TH seem likely on present evidence, suggesting that flagellates of this type may have evolved from chrysomonad-like ancestors.     

三峡水库神农溪2014年春季浮游藻类演替成因分析

摘要：【目的】研究三峡水库神农溪库湾春季水华期间浮游藻类演替及其成因分析。【方法】2014年3–5月在神农溪库湾布置了6个断面(SN01–SN06),在神农溪汇入长江干流河口附近水域设置1个断面CJBD,对浮游藻类、相关环境因子及水动力因子进行了同步监测,据此分析了水体层化结构及水动力特性。【结果】神农溪在监测时段内共检测到浮游藻类6门38种(属);库湾浮游藻类生物量时间上差异显著(ANOVA,P<0.05)。春季浮游藻类群落结构具有明显的演替规律,3月份暴发大面积的硅藻水华（藻密度>100×105 cells/L),小环藻(Cyclotella spp.)为优势藻种;4月在SN02–SN06暴发以小球藻(Chlorella spp.)为主要优势种、衣藻(Chlamydomonas spp.)为次优势种的绿藻水华(藻密度>100×105 cells/L),5月份受水位大幅消落影响,浮游藻类生物量降低且无明显优势藻种。【结论】在具备充足的营养盐的水体中,水体层化结构与水动力特性对浮游藻类演替影响重大。三峡水库水位处于快速消落阶段时,流速成为抑制神农溪库湾藻类生长的主要因素。     

The role of zooplankton in the ecological succession of plankton and benthic algae across a salinity gradient in the Shark Bay solar salt ponds

The relatively low biodiversity and simple hydrodynamics make solar salt ponds ideal sites for ecological studies. We have studied the ecological gradient of the primary ponds at the Shark Bay Resources solar salt ponds, Western Australia, using a coupled hydrodynamic ecological numerical model, DYRESM–CAEDYM. Seven ponds representative of the primary system were simulated with salinity ranging from 45 to 155 ppt. Five groups of organisms were simulated: three phytoplankton, one microbial mat plankton, and one zooplankton as well as dissolved inorganic and particulate organic nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon. By extracting the various carbon fluxes from the model, we determined the role that the introduced zooplankton, Artemia sp., plays in grazing the particulate organic carbon (POC) from the water column in the high salinity ponds. We also examined the nutrient fluxes and stoichiometric ratios of the various organic components for each pond to establish the extent to which observed patterns in nutrient dynamics are mediated by the presence of Artemia sp. Model results indicated that Artemia sp. grazing was responsible for reduced water column POC in the higher salinity ponds. This resulted in an increase in photosynthetic available radiation (PAR) reaching the pond floor and consequent increase in microbial mat biomass, thus demonstrating the dual benefits of Artemia sp. to salt production in improved quality and quantity. In contrast, this study found no direct link between Artemia sp. and observed changes in planktonic algal species composition or nutrient limitation across the salinity gradient of the ponds. Guest Editors: J. John & B. Timms Salt Lake Research: Biodiversity and Conservation—Selected Papers from the 9th Conference of the International Society for Salt Lake Research