Plant community dynamics in a chain of lakes: principal factors in the decline of rooted macrophytes with eutrophication

Shoe Lake and East Graham Lake, part of a small chain of lakes in southeastern Michigan, USA, differ in nutrient loading and in the structure and productivity of their aquatic plant communities. A comparative study of species frequency and biomass distributions, nutrient contents, and responses to experimental nutrient enrichment and shading, was conducted to determine the principal factors controlling the macrophyte dynamics. A central objective was to address the question of why rooted macrophyte growth declines with eutrophication, and to test existing models designed to explain this phenomenon. In the more eutrophic Shoe Lake, diversity and productivity of rooted macrophytes were relatively low, restricted primarily by combined shading of phytoplankton, periphyton, and non-rooted macrophytes (principally Ceratophyllum demersum, along with Utricularia vulgaris and Cladophora fracta). In the less eutrophic East Graham Lake, lower nitrogen availability restricted the growth of all of these shading components, resulting in clearer water and higher productivity and diversity of rooted macrophytes. The macrophytes did not allelopathically suppress the phytoplankton in East Graham Lake. The results supported a direct relationship between nutrient loading, increasing growth of phytoplankton, periphyton and non-rooted macrophytes, and decline of rooted macrophytes.     

An assessment of the importance of emergent and floating-leaved macrophytes to trophic status in the Loosdrecht lakes (The Netherlands)

The potential importance of the six major emergent and floating-leaved macrophyte species in recycling of sediment phosphorus in the Loosdrecht lakes was studied. Representative plant samples were collected at the time of maximum biomass, and analysed for biomass and carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus contents. Species cover was determined by aerial photography.Total cover in the seven lakes studied ranged between 2 and 26 percent. For the four main species, biomass per unit area increased with lake trophic status. Consistent differences in C, N and P contents per unit biomass were not observed. Although cover values were small, significant amounts of C, N and P were contained in the macrophytes when compared with maximum sestonic content.Potential P loads from macrophyte decay were calculated. In Lake Loosdrecht, the P load represented 15 percent of current external P inputs. The potential importance of macrophyte decay to P recycling in the other lakes is greater.Decay of macrophyte species at the end of the growing season appears to affect autumnal nutrient and chlorophyll a levels in the water column of some lakes. The re-establishment of submerged species following lake restoration may increase the importance of this pathway in the lakes.     

洪泽湖大型水生植物群落结构和时空格局的GIS模拟

2010—2011年对洪泽湖大型水生植物进行了4个季度全面的调查和研究, 共发现大型水生植物8科12种, 其中沉水植物9种, 挺水植物1种, 浮叶植物2种。马来眼子菜(Potamogeton malaianus)、微齿眼子菜(P. maackianu)、篦齿眼子菜(P. pectinatus)和菹草(P. crispus)为全年优势度较高的水生植物, 但4个季节大型水生植物的优势种类组成差异明显。秋季的水草生物量最高, 其次为夏季和冬季, 春季最低。结合GPS (Global Position System)和GIS (Geographic Information System), 利用GIS的Kring插值法对洪泽湖大型水生植物总生物量及主要优势物种的时空分布进行了可视化模拟。结果发现洪泽湖现阶段大型水生植物分布区域主要集中在湖区北部水质较好、透明度较高且相对封闭的成子湖区。文章也分析了洪泽湖大型水生植物变迁的潜在影响因子, 为水生植物保护和生态系统健康提供了基础依据。     

Distribution and quantitative development of aquatic macrophytes in relation to sediment characteristics in oligotrophic Lake Kalgaard, Denmark

SUMMARY. The distribution and quantitative development of aquatic macrophytes have been studied in oligotrophic Lake Kalgaard, Denmark. The vegetation is dominated by isoetid species, which are widely distributed (about 40% of the lake bottom) compared to emergent and floating-leaved macrophytes (about 4%). Littorella uniflora dominates at depths of 0–2 m and Isoetes lacustris from 2.0 to 4.5m. Within the colonization area the mean midsummer biomass of Littorella is 112g organic dry weight m⁻² and that of Isoetes, 66 gm⁻². The total biomass of these two species constitutes 99% of the biomass of submerged macrophytes.
The perennial Littorella shows only small seasonal biomass variations. The vegetational biomass, the above-ground fraction of the biomass, and the weight of individual plants all increased with the organic content of the sediment at water depths from 0 to 0.75 m. At the same time the interstitial concentrations of carbon dioxide, extractable inorganic nitrogen, and exchangeable inorganic phosphorus increased, thus supporting the hypothesis that an increasing organic content of the sediments at this low level creates a physiologically richer medium for the plants.
The isoetid growth form is discussed in relation to the chemical environment of oligotrophic, softwater lakes.     

Responses to food web manipulation in a shallow waterfowl lake

The effects of fish stock reduction have been studies in 3 Dutch lakes (Lake Zwemlust, Lake Bleiswijkse Zoom and Lake Noorddiep) and 1 Danish lake (Lake Væng) during 4–5 years. A general response id described. The fish stock reduction led in general to a low fish stock, low chlorophyii-a, high transparency and high abunuance of macrophytes. Large Daphnia became abundant, but their density decreased, due to food limitation and predation by fish. The total nitrogen concentration became low due to N-uptake by macrophytes and enhanced denitrification. In Lake Bleiswijkse Zoom the water transparency deteriorated and the clear water state was not stable. The fish stock increased and the production of young fish in summer was high. lear water occurred only in spring. Large daphnids were absent in summer and the macrophytes decreased.In Lake Zwemlust, Lake Væng and Lake Noorddiep the water remained clear during the first five years. In summer of the sixth year (1992) transparency decreased in Lake Zwemlust (with high P-concentration of 1.0 mg P l^-1). Also in Lake Væng (with a low nutrient concentration of 0.15 mg P.^-1) a short term turbid stage (1.5 month) occurred in summer 1992 after a sudden collapse of the macrophytes. Deterioration of the water quality seems to start in summer and seems related to a collapse in macrophytes. At a low planktivorous fishstock (e.g. Lake Væng)thhe duration of the turbid state is shorter. than in presence of a high planktivorous fish biomass (e.g. Lake Zwemlust, and later years of Lake Bleiswijkse Zoom).     

太湖马来眼子菜(Potamogeton malaianus)生物量变化及影响因素

2006年5月和10月在太湖马来眼子菜分布区进行了定点采样,分析了马来眼子菜的生物量在不同水域变化特征及影响其生物量主要因素。结果表明:不同水环境中,马来眼子菜的生物量变化较大,介于526～4843g/m2,个体植株生物量依次为叶>根>茎,其中叶的生物量占总生物量的55%～80%。水深增加能促进植株高度和生物量的增加,但单位面积生物量变化不明显。群落的自疏效应使马来眼子菜生物量与资源供应维持在一个动态平衡的水平上。马来眼子菜的生物量与水体中TN呈显著正相关,P是影响其生物量变化的间接限制因子,根、茎、叶的N/P介于16.92～59.88之间,叶片的N/P达到42.33。马来眼子菜对水环境的形态可塑性响应是其在水环境长期变化中逐步成为幸存者和优势种的重要原因之一。底泥的深度和营养含量对其分布和生物量具有显著影响。围网捕捞、养殖以及航运的发展是造成局部地区马来眼子菜生物量急剧下降的主要人为因素。不同水域的生物量的差异是水深、水体营养盐、底质特征、水体透明度、人类活动等因素综合作用的结果。同时,对水环境变化在形态上较强的可塑性响应,也是马来眼子菜生物量变化的重要原因之一。     

Food composition of the barbelTor canis (Cyprinidae) and its role in the Lake Kinneret ecosystem

Synopsis Gut contents of 294 individuals ofTor canis from Lake Kinneret (Israel), sampled throughout a full year indicated a wide trophic spectrum including 52 identified animal and plant species. Nevertheless a major part of ingested biomass (5.7 g per fish) was due to the Kinneret sardine (Mirogrex sp.). The biomass of other ingested organisms was relatively low (0.01–0.8 g per fish) consisting of planktonic organisms, zoobenthos, macrophytes and a few others. The role ofT. canis in the Kinneret ecosystem and management design is discussed.     

太湖马来眼子菜(Potamogeton malaianus)生物量变化及影响因素

2006年5月和10月在太湖马来眼子菜分布区进行了定点采样,分析了马来眼子菜的生物量在不同水域变化特征及影响其生物量主要因素。结果表明：不同水环境中,马来眼子菜的生物量变化较大,介于526~4843 g/m²,个体植株生物量依次为叶>根>茎,其中叶的生物量占总生物量的55%~80%。水深增加能促进植株高度和生物量的增加,但单位面积生物量变化不明显。群落的自疏效应使马来眼子菜生物量与资源供应维持在一个动态平衡的水平上。马来眼子菜的生物量与水体中TN呈显著正相关,P是影响其生物量变化的间接限制因子,根、茎、叶的N/P介于16.92~59.88之间,叶片的N/P达到42.33。马来眼子菜对水环境的形态可塑性响应是其在水环境长期变化中逐步成为幸存者和优势种的重要原因之一。底泥的深度和营养含量对其分布和生物量具有显著影响。围网捕捞、养殖以及航运的发展是造成局部地区马来眼子菜生物量急剧下降的主要人为因素。不同水域的生物量的差异是水深、水体营养盐、底质特征、水体透明度、人类活动等因素综合作用的结果。同时,对水环境变化在形态上较强的可塑性响应,也是马来眼子菜生物量变化的重要原因之一。     

Modelling nutrient cycles in relation to food web structure in a biomanipulated shallow lake

The modelPCLAKE describes the phosphorus and nitrogen cycles within a shallow lake ecosystem, including the sediment and a simplified biological food web. All components are modelled in a generalized way rather than a very detailed one. This model has been applied to Lake Zwemlust, a small biomanipulated lake in The Netherlands. Formerly, this highly eutrophic lake was dominated by cyanobacteria and devoid of macrophytes. Biomanipulation was carried out in 1987 by pumping-out of the water, removal of all fish, and refilling of the lake with seepage water. The lake was restocked with some rudd, pike, zooplankton and seedlings of macrophytes, and then monitored up to 1992. Macrophytes developed rather quickly and reached their maximum biomass during the six-years period in 1989. Despite the continuously high nutrient (N and P) loading, algal biomass remained low due to nitrogen limitation, caused by competition with the macrophytes. From 1990 onwards, the macrophytes declined again and a species shift occurred, following an increase of herbivorous birds on the lake and the development of herbivorous fishes.Model simulations grossly reproduced the observed developments in Lake Zwemlust before and after the biomanipulation measures. The existence of multiple steady states at the same trophic state and the possible shift between them could be simulated well. This study also demonstrates the interrelation between system structure and the distribution and cycling of nutrients. It is concluded, that within general boundary conditions set by the trophic state of the system, the food web structure determines the actual nutrient flows and the occurrence of nutrient limitations of the primary producers. It is shown that both aspects can be integrated in one mathematical model. The long-term stability of the macrophyte dominance in the lake is discussed.     

Alkali and alkaline earth metals in decomposing macrophytes in a wetland system

The foraging habitat selections of brown-eared pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum) and the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) were studied in Huanglongshan Nature Reserve Shaanxi, China. Foraging habitat characteristics were measured on the basis of expected differences between species at 183 sites from November to December 2006 and January 2007. The results showed that both species selected foraging habitats with altitude (<1200 m), conifer forest, half sunny and half shady slope, sunny slope, density of trees (<5 individuals/100 m²), cover of shrub (>50%), visibility class (<10%) and distance to water source (<300 m). However, the brown-eared pheasant selected habitats with cover of trees (30–50%), middle or lower slope location, distance to edge of woods (<300 m) and human disturbance (<500 m), and the selection on density of shrub was not observed, compared to the selections on cover of trees (<30%), lower slope location, distance to edge of woods (<500 m) and human disturbance (<300 m), and density of shrub (>500 individuals/100 m²) for common pheasant. We also found that the common pheasant avoid predators by concealment whereas brown-eared pheasant evade predations by running away strategy.     

Alkali and alkaline earth metals in decomposing macrophytes in a wetland system

The background concentration of selected alkali and alkaline earth metals (sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium) in some macrophytes was explored in the wetland system of Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, India. Changes in the concentration of these elements in the course of macrophyte decomposition were also studied. The species selected were Paspalum distichum, Paspalidium punctatum, Cyperus alopecuroides, Pseudoraphis spinescens, Ipomoea aquatica, Neptunia oleracea and Hydrilla verticillata, which dominate the aquatic vegetation of the Park. Litterbag decomposition experiments were carried out with nylon bags of two different mesh sizes (0.14 and 0.375 mm) in the laboratory and in the field. Among the macrophytes, Hydrilla was the fastest decaying species with the lowest half-life (12.65 days) and Paspalidium the slowest with the highest half-life (385.08 days). Overall, the grasses had low decay rate and high half-life. Background concentration of Na, K, Ca and Mg varied among the plant species. During decomposition and towards the end of the experiment, Na, K and Ca gradually declined whereas Mg increased. The variation was significant (ANOVA, P <0.05) among metals and macrophytes. Na showed no correlation with the weight loss of decomposing macrophytes in the field or in the laboratory tanks. In the field, the K concentration, in contrast with the observations in the tanks, was negatively correlated with the biomass and positively correlated with Ca content. Ca concentration in the biomass was negatively correlated with the weight of the remaining biomass, while Mg was positively correlated with the biomass in the litterbags.     

用镶嵌组合植物群落控制湖泊饮用水源区藻类及氮污染

依据湖泊中不同生态类型水生高等植物的微生境特点,设计建造了由漂浮、浮叶、沉水植物为优势种的斑块小群丛构成的镶嵌组合水生植物群落（ＭｏｓａｉｃＣｏｍｍｕｎｉｔｙｏｆＭａｃｒｏｐｈｙｔｅｓ：ＭＣＭ）,并在太湖五里湖一湖湾内以动态模拟试验,从群落水平研究了水生高等植物群落对富营养化湖泊饮用水源区湖水的净化能力。结果表明,富营养化湖水经ＭＣＭ净化后,藻类生物量（以Ｃｈｌａ计）下降５７７％,藻类数量下降２～３个数量级,氨氮下降６６７％,总氮下降６００％,水质得到明显改善。与以该湖湾湖水为水源的水厂出水相比,经ＭＣＭ净化的湖水其氨氮比水厂出水的氨氮平均低４５１％,总氮低３７３％,可见经ＭＣＭ净化的湖水部分指标优于同源的自来水。综合群落的微生境特征及水生高等植物群落内硝化反硝化细菌分布特点,探讨了ＭＣＭ的除氮机理。     

太湖水生植物氮磷与湖水和沉积物氮磷含量的关系

 分析了太湖沉水植物、浮叶植物组织及生长环境中的N、P含量,结果表明：太湖沉水植物组织N、P含量一般要高于浮叶植物组织,5月的N、P含量(以干重计)一般高于9月。5月以沉水植物微齿眼子菜(Potamogeton maackianus)的N(28.452 mg?g－1)、轮叶黑藻(Hydrilla verticillata)的P(4.552 mg&;#8226;g^－1)含量最高,浮叶植物荇菜(Nymphoides peltatum)的N(14.363 mg&;#8226;g^－1)、P(1.792 mg&;#8226;g^－1)含量均为最低;9月以沉水植物苦草(Vallisneria natans)的N(25.206 mg&;#8226;g^－1)、P(2.727 mg&;#8226;g^－1)含量最高,浮叶植物荇菜的N(17.245 mg&;#8226;g^－1) 、P(1.519 mg&;#8226;g^－1)含量均最低。沉水和浮叶植物的N、P含量与水体N、P浓度的相关性较为显著;与沉积物N、P的相关性不明显。此外,植物体内的N、P含量亦与植物物种的特性、生长发育阶段和生长状况等内在因素密切相关。     

西太湖水生植物时空变化

水生植物在浅水湖泊生态系统中具有十分重要的作用。根据中国科学院太湖湖泊生态系统研究站1989年以来的常规监测资料,将西太湖（除东太湖以外的湖区）划分为9个区,采用点截法（point intercept method）,于2002～2005年对各区水生植物的种类、生物量和空间分布情况进行了6次调查。结果表明：西太湖现有水生植物16种,分属于11科12属;水生植物总面积约10220hm^2,其中沉水植物分布面积约占64．58％;挺水植物约占0．29％;漂浮植物约占38．16％。各个种之间生物量差异显著,马来眼子菜、荇菜、芦苇的生物量在所有水生植物中居前3位。多样性分析表明,水生植物种类4a来未发生明显变化,但种类和生物量季节性差异较大。水生植物呈环状分布在距湖岸5km以内的水域和部分岛屿周围,东岸和南岸为水生植物的主要集中分布区域,分布区连续性好,且水草种类齐全。挺水植物种类单一,仅有芦苇（Phragmites communis）一种,分布区域多限于水深小于1．6m的湖岸;沉水植物共有8种,为水生植物的主要组成部分,马来眼子菜（Potamogeton malaianus）的分布频度最高,在西山岛周围水域逐年扩张,成为该区域的先锋种;漂浮植物3种,主要以荇菜（Nymphoides peltata）为主,在七都水域有逐渐扩张的趋势。马来眼子菜、芦苇、荇菜表现出对水环境较强的适应能力,目前为西太湖的3个优势种。20世纪50年代以来,西太湖水生植物种类减少了50种,其中水质下降是导致水生植物种类不断减少甚至消失的一个重要原因。围网养殖和不合理的捕捞方式也对局部水域的植物造成极大的破坏。水生植物生存环境日益严峻,种群单一化趋势日益明显。     

Echosounding observations of coverage,height, PVI,and biomass of submerged macrophytes in the southern basin of Lake Biwa,Japan

We have developed a procedure to process echosounding data to map the distribution of submerged aquatic macrophytes in the southern basin of Lake Biwa, a water body that has a surface area of 52 km² and a mean depth of 4 m. Echosounding observations were made along 27 transect lines spaced at 500-m intervals on August 4 and September 2 and 30, 2003. Quantitative vegetation data including percent coverage, mean vegetation height, and percent vegetation infestation were directly determined using image data from the echosounder recorded digitally on videotape. Based on the image data from an echosounder, a regression model was developed for estimating biomass of submerged macrophytes. The regression model using the total echo strength as the explanatory variable could reliably estimate macrophyte biomass up to 300 g m⁻². Distribution maps of macrophyte height and biomass suggest that the recent summer decline of submerged macrophytes started earlier in shallow areas (<3 m of depth) than deep areas (>4 m) in the southern basin of Lake Biwa.     

Decline of the invasive submersed macrophyte Myriophyllum spicatum (Haloragaceae) associated with herbivory by larvae of Acentria ephemerella (Lepidoptera)

Myriophyllum spicatum, an exotic submersed macrophyte causing serious lake management problems throughout much of North America, decreased markedly in biomass in Cayuga Lake, NY, USA, since the beginning of the 1990s. Over the same period, however, the total biomass of all species of submersed macrophytes did not decline, and native macrophytes gained in abundance. The aquatic moth larva, Acentria ephemerella, was first observed on milfoil plants in Cayuga Lake in 1991. However, due to its cryptic habit the larva may have been present prior to that year. When the density of these grazers is high, herbivory by Acentria causes severe damage to the apical meristem of M. spicatum. This moth larva and another milfoil herbivore, Euhrychiopsis lecontei are widespread in 26 lakes surveyed in New York State; they are present in 25 and 24 lakes, respectively. Estimates of Acentria larval densities in summer in Cayuga Lake are 27 to 100 m^-2, and a quantitative survey of larvae hibernating in milfoil stems revealed mean densities of 500 m^-2 in late fall in Seneca Lake. In laboratory experiments, Acentria larvae feed on a wide variety of macrophytes commonly found in New York State. Although Acentria is not a specialist feeder, its life cycle is closely tied to M. spicatum through the moth's use of apical tips and stems for summer and winter refuges; thus deleterious damage to other macrophytes is low. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The distribution of microcrustacea in the littoral zone of a freshwater lake

The distribution of microcrustacea in the water column, sediments and on different macrophyte species was examined in the littoral zone of Jack Lake, Nova Scotia, Canada. Large numbers of microcrustacea occurred in association with macrophytes, suggesting that this habitat should receive greater attention in future studies of microcrustacean numbers, biomass, and production. The relative abundance of different microcrustacea varied considerably among sediments, macrophytes and water column samples. Although microcrustacean species composition differed among macrophyte groups, consistent differences in absolute numbers per gram could not be demonstrated. Epiphytic microcrustacean community structure also varied among depth strata in Jack Lake. Few epiphytic and benthic microcrustacea migrated into the water column on a diurnal basis.     

A comparison of algal periphyton composition on eleven species of submerged macrophytes

Summary The composition of algal periphyton was examined on eleven species of submerged macrophytes collected at a depth of 0.25 m in Sewell Lake, southwestern Manitoba, a shallow nitrogen and phosphorus rich lake. There were substantial differences in the periphyton on all macrophyte species. Diatom subcommunities were the most similar, while the green algal subcommunities were the most dissimilar on different plant hosts.Potamogeton zosteriformis differed the most from all other macrophytes with respect to the composition of its periphyton. These results and a comparison of the literature suggest that the composition and structure of periphyton communities on living substrates is a product of the interaction of many variables, determined by the characteristics of the host plant, the external environment and the algae themselves. Studies of periphyton at a given site must take into account the various substrates available.     

太湖沉积物孔隙水无机氮空间变化特征

采集太湖不同生态类型湖区(草型湖区胥口湾;风浪大、水华较少的湖心区和水华较严重的梅梁湾)沉积物柱状样,研究沉积物理化性质以及孔隙水无机氮浓度垂直变化特征。结果显示,各点含水率、有机质、总氮均随深度增加而降低,而梅梁湾含量最高,湖心区最低。沉积物溶解氧随深度增加而降低,胥口湾最高,梅梁湾最低。孔隙水NH₄⁺-N随深度增加而增大,NO₃^--N、NO₂^--N均随随深度增加而减小。比较表层0-5cm沉积物孔隙水和上覆水无机氮浓度,发现各湖区NO₃^--N和NO₂^--N释放风险小,胥口湾(草型湖区)和梅梁湾(藻型湖区)NH₄⁺-N释放风险较大,湖心区较小。     

Snail–periphyton interactions in a prairie lacustrine wetland

This study examined the effects of nutrients and macrophytes on snail grazers and periphyton in a prairie wetland food web. Snails (Gyraulus circumstriatus) and periphyton in large enclosures in a lacustrine wetland, Delta Marsh, MB, Canada were subjected to two experimental treatments, nutrient addition (nitrogen, phosphorus) and macrophyte exclusion (using a porous geotextile carpet) during July and August. Snail biomass and periphyton biomass (on both artificial substrata and submerged macrophytes) increased over time in all treatments, representing seasonal growth. Snail biomass was three times higher on macrophytes than on artificial substrata. In response to nutrient addition, snail biomass was significantly elevated over time on macrophytes but not on artificial substrata. Conversely, periphyton biomass was higher on artificial substrata but not on macrophytes in response to nutrient addition. Snail biomass and periphyton biomass on artificial substrata showed no response to macrophyte exclusion. Snail biomass on all substrata was inversely correlated with turbidity, whereas periphyton biomass showed no relationship with turbidity. Timing of nutrient additions to wetlands may influence whether the response occurs primarily in phytoplankton or in periphyton and macrophytes.