Dynamics of microbial biomass and activity in five habitats of the Okefenokee Swamp ecosystem

A variety of freshwater marsh and swamp habitats are found interspersed in a mosaic pattern throughout the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia, USA. We examined spatial and temporal patterns in standing stocks and activity in the microbial community of five habitats within this heterogeneous ecosystem. Standing stock dynamics were studied by measuring microbial biomass (ATP) and bacterial numbers (AODC) in both water and sediments over a 14 month period. Abundance varied temporally, being generally lower in winter months than in spring and summer months. However, a large proportion of the measured variability was not correlated with temporal patterns in temperature or with bulk nutrient levels. Spatial variability was characteristic of the Okefenokee at a variety of large and small scales. Habitat-level heterogeneity was evident when microbial standing stocks and activity (measured as [¹⁴C]lignocellulose mineralization) were compared across the five communities, although abundance differences among sites were restricted to nonwinter months when microbial biomass was high. Spatial variation within habitats was also found; patches of surface sediment with differing microbial activity or abundance were measured at scales from 30 cm to 150 m.     

Parasites of flier, Centrarchus macropterus, from prairie and channel habitats in the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia

Flier (Centrarchus macropterus: Centrarchidae) were collected from a channel habitat, a prairie habitat, and a boundary between the 2 habitat types in March 2009 and examined for parasites. Flier from the prairie site had a significantly lower abundance of Pterocleidus acer and a significantly higher abundance of Hysterothylaceum juveniles. Patterns of infracommunity similarity showed a distinct break between the 2 habitat types, with fish collected from the boundary site clustering with either channel or prairie communities, suggesting that the small home range of flier restricts the exposure of individuals to parasites.     

Temporal relationship between the deposition and microbial degradation of lignocellulosic detritus in a Georgia salt marsh and the Okefenokee Swamp

Temperature dependence and seasonal variations in rates of microbial degradation of the lignin and polysaccharide components of specifically radiolabeled lignocelluloses were determined in sediment and water samples from a Georgia salt marsh and the nearby Okefenokee Swamp. Although temperature regimes in the two ecosystems were similar, rates of mineralization ofSpartina alterniflora lignocellulose in salt marsh sediments increased eightfold between winter and summer, whereas rates of mineralization of lignocellulose from an analogous freshwater macrophyte,Carex walteriana, in Okefenokee sediments increased only twofold between winter and summer. Temperature was the major factor influencing seasonal variations in rates of lignocellulose degradation in both environments. At any given temperature, no substantial differences in lignocellulolytic potential were observed with sediment samples collected at each season. In both ecosystems, the bulk of the lignocellulosic detritus was not degraded at the time of its peak deposition during the fall and winter. Instead, the periods of maximal decomposition occurred during the following spring and summer. These results suggest that periods of maximal nutrient regeneration from the mineralization of lignocellulosic detritus coincide with periods of highest primary production, and that, depending on hydrologic conditions, significant horizontal transport of essentially intact lignocellulosic material is possible due to the lag period between deposition and microbial degradation.     

Temporal dynamics and spatial variation of algae in relation to hydrology and sediment characteristics in the Okefenokee Swamp,Georgia

In a 20-month study, phytoplankton and periphyton chl a, and dry mass of macroscopic algal aggregates in four marshes and a lake within the Okefenokee Swamp (Georgia, USA) were comparable to other wetlands and lake littoral areas. Chlorophyll levels in two marshes were inversely related to water level and phytoplankton at three marshes developed unimodal maxima following macrophyte dieback. Standing stocks in a vernally inundated marsh were greater than a nearby marsh which was permanently inundated; chlorophyll levels displayed longer blooms in the inundated marsh during periods of low rainfall or after drought. Field dynamics, sediment sorption characteristics and algal bioassays suggest that evaporative drawdown stimulates algae by release of nutrients from exposed peat, while high water levels reduce nutrient release from sediments and disperse phytoplankton through flushing. Equilibrium phosphate concentrations of sediments and algal levels were higher at an abandoned rookery than a nearby non-rookery area, indicating nutrient enrichment from residual guano deposits.     

Influence of dissolved organic matter source on lake bacterioplankton structure and function--implications for seasonal dynamics of community composition

It has been suggested that autochthonous (internally produced) organic carbon and allochthonous (externally produced) organic carbon are utilized by phylogenetically different bacterioplankton. We examined the relationship between the source of organic matter and the structure and function of lake bacterial communities. Differences and seasonal changes in bacterial community composition in two lakes differing in their source of organic matter were followed in relation to environmental variables. We also performed batch culture experiments with amendments of various organic substrates, namely fulvic acids, leachates from algae, and birch and maple leaves. Differences in bacterial community composition between the lakes, analysed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism, correlated with variables related to the relative loading of autochthonous and allochthonous carbon (water colour, dissolved organic carbon, nutrients, and pH). Seasonal changes correlated with temperature, chlorophyll and dissolved organic carbon in both lakes. The substrate amendments led to differences in both structure and function, i.e. production, respiration and growth yield, of the bacterial community. In conclusion, our results suggest that the source of organic matter influences community composition both within and among lakes and that there may be a coupling between the structure and function of the bacterial community.     

40 Phytoplankton biomass and community dynamics in the lake pont-chartrain estuary of southeast louisiana, usa: effects of light and nutrients upon seasonal and spatial patterns

A yearlong study (2002–2003) was conducted in the Lake Pontchartrain Estuary (LPE) of Southeast Louisiana in order to examine the temporal and spatial variability of phytoplankton biomass and community dynamics in relation to nutrients, light climate and other abiotic parameters. Variability was assessed through a north-south transect across the estuary and at five of the major tributaries of the LPE at bi-weekly intervals. Phytoplankton pigmentation was analyzed by HPLC and used to calculate biomass (as chlorophyll a) and to determine the relative abundances of phylogenetic groups and taxa (via CHEMTAX). Microscopic analyses of select samples were used to verify the efficacy of the CHEMTAX method in the waters of the LPE. Water-column up-/down-welling irradiance (PAR) and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) measurements were used to characterize the light climate. Results indicate that LPE phytoplankton biomass and community composition are: 1) highly variable at the spatial and temporal scales of this study, 2) can significantly impact the light field of the LPE, and 3) are influenced by macro-nutrient ratios.     

新薛河溪流生境底栖动物群落结构季节动态

明确底栖动物在时空尺度上的自然变化规律对有效评估和保护水生态系统十分重要。基于2012年季节调查数据,对新薛河典型生境底栖动物群落季节动态进行了研究。共鉴定底栖动物108种,隶属5门10纲74属。短脉纹石蛾、长钝直突摇蚊、拟长跗摇蚊、Neozarelia sp.为研究区域优势分类单元,相对丰度分别为25.1%、9.8%、9.0%、8.6%;各季节间优势分类单元组成差异较大,3个季度共同优势物种仅短脉纹石蛾1种。密度、物种丰度、香农指数表现为4月和12月显著高于10月;均匀度指数10月份最高。非度量多维标度排序表明,不同季节底栖动物群落结构差异显著;对照河段(D河段)群落结构季节间差异相对较小。指示物种法分离出了新薛河及各河段代表性物种41种,但B河段未分离出指示物种;双向聚类分析进一步明确了指示物种的指示属性(特有或者相对丰度最高)。     

天台山七子花群落下土壤微生物生物量的季节动态

研究天台山七子花群落下土壤微生物生物量的季节变化规律及生态特性。根据实测数据分别对根际、根围微生物生物量碳、氮与土壤环境因子之间进行相关性分析,并建立了土壤微生物指标与环境因素之间的回归方程,以此为基础对天台山七子花群落下土壤微生物生物量的季节变化进行预测。回归分析表明：土壤温度、水分对微生物生物量的影响大于土壤pH值对微生物生物量的影响,而且土壤温度、水分对微生物生物量氮的影响大于对微生物生物量碳的影响。土壤温度对微生物生物量碳、氮的影响最大。     

Fish-induced sediment resuspension: effects on phytoplankton biomass and community structure in a shallow hypereutrophic lake

An in situ mesocosm experiment was performed at Old Woman CreekEstuary, OH, to assess the importance of fish-induced sedimentresuspension in regulating phytoplankton biomass and communitystructure Six polyethylene tubes (1 m diameter x 2 m long) wereplaced into the lake, enclosing portions of the water columnand sediments Three duplicated treatments were established:(i) control, no fish, (ii) fish, stocked with small fish fromthe lake; and (iii) fish/net, stocked with fish, but into tubeswith coarse nets suspended above the sediments to prevent resuspension.Total P concentrations and algal biomass in the fish tubes becamemarkedly higher than the fish/net and control tubes. Centricdiatoms and small cryptomonads were the initial dominants. Inthe lake and fish tubes, this community was replaced by nanochlorophytes.In the fish/ net and control tubes, a very different successionoccurred, where large cryptomonads became dominant These resultsindicate that sediment nutrient resuspensions by fish activitiescan maintain a phytoplankton community in an immature state,with small r-selected dominants. When sediment nutrient resuspensionwas prevented (in the fish/net and control tubes), larger algalspecies increased in relative biovolume, regardless of whetherfish were present.     

3种生境蚂蚁群落组成和觅食动态调查

蚂蚁是地球上最常见、数量最多的一类昆虫,是指示生物多样性和环境变化的重要物种。大多数蚂蚁由于其社会性而具有群体觅食的特点,然而不同蚂蚁种类由于食性的差异以及种间竞争等原因会产生觅食节律的分化。为研究相同生境中不同种类蚂蚁觅食规律的差异,本研究分别用20%蔗糖水和鸡肉火腿肠以诱饵法诱集湖边、树林、荔枝园3种生境中的蚂蚁,以此确定不同生境中的优势蚂蚁种类及其觅食行为随时间的动态变化。研究结果表明,虽然不同生境诱集到的蚂蚁种类数无显著差异,但诱集到的蚂蚁数量则差异显著。不同生境的优势种也不一样,湖边的最大优树林势种群为小大头蚁(44.21%);树林的优势种群为白跗节狡臭蚁(67.36%)、小大头蚁、宽结大头蚁;荔枝园的最大优势种群为小大头蚁(63.46%)。结果发现,大多数情况下不同调查时间点上觅食工蚁数或同一时间点上不同蚂蚁的数量之间的差异并无统计学意义。研究结果将为不同生境蚂蚁群落多样性的研究提供理论基础。     

Experimental manipulations of microbial food web interactions in a humic lake: shifting biological drivers of bacterial community structure

A previous multiyear study observed correlations between bacterioplankton community composition (BCC) and abundance and the dynamics of phytoplankton populations and bacterivorous grazers in a humic lake. These observations generated hypotheses about the importance of trophic interactions (both top-down and bottom-up) for structuring bacterial communities in this lake, which were tested using two multifactorial food web manipulation experiments that separately manipulated the intensity of grazing and the composition of the phytoplankton community. Our results, combined with field observations, suggest that a hierarchy of drivers structures bacterial communities in this lake. While other studies have noted links between aggregate measures of phytoplankton and bacterioplankton communities, we demonstrate here correlations between succession of phytoplankton assemblages and BCC as assessed by automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA). We used a novel approach linking community ARISA data to phylogenetic assignments from sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries to examine the responses of specific bacterial phylotypes to the experimental manipulations. The synchronous dynamics of these populations suggests that primary producers may mediate BCC and diversity through labile organic matter production, which evolves in quality and quantity during phytoplankton succession. Superimposed on this resource-mediated control of BCC are brief periods of intense bacterivory that impact bacterial abundance and composition.     

Aggregative responses of brent geese on salt marsh and their impact on plant community dynamics

The aggregative responses and habitat preferences of a generalist herbivore, the dark-bellied brent goose Branta bernicla bernicla, feeding on salt marshes are examined in relation to vegetation community characteristics and the abundances of individual plant species. In the autumn, feeding was strongly concentrated on the low marsh, which had the highest biomass of the preferred food plant, Salicornia europaea. There was a strong aggregative response of the geese to the abundance of S. europaea. A decline in the availability of S. europaea led to an increase in the pattern of aggregation in relation to the two other major food plants on the low marsh, Aster tripolium and Puccinellia maritima. The availability of these food plants, however, reached critically low levels in mid-winter and the geese abandoned the low marsh for the high marsh. Within the high marsh, the plant communities selected tended to be dominated by the inedible species Limonium vulgare. The food plants selected were P. maritima in the winter and P. maritima and Triglochinmaritimum in the spring. On the high marsh, aggregative responses were shown to both P. maritima and T. maritimum, but in both cases, aggregation increased up to a critical level of biomass, and then declined. The prevention of grazing with exclosures for 3 years led to an increase in the abundance of P. maritima on both high and low marshes. This change was slight on high marsh but pronounced on low marsh, where S. europaea showed a decrease in abundance in the exclosures over this time. The implications of the aggregative responses for the population dynamics of P. maritima and S. europaea are discussed. Received: 11 September 1997 / Accepted: 12 December 1997     

Functional traits explain phytoplankton community structure and seasonal dynamics in a marine ecosystem

A fundamental yet elusive goal of ecology is to predict the structure of communities from the environmental conditions they experience. Trait‐based approaches to terrestrial plant communities have shown that functional traits can help reveal the mechanisms underlying community assembly, but such approaches have not been tested on the microbes that dominate ecosystem processes in the ocean. Here, we test whether functional traits can explain community responses to seasonal environmental fluctuation, using a time series of the phytoplankton of the English Channel. We show that interspecific variation in response to major limiting resources, light and nitrate, can be well‐predicted by lab‐measured traits characterising light utilisation, nitrate utilisation and maximum growth rate. As these relationships were predicted a priori, using independently measured traits, our results show that functional traits provide a strong mechanistic foundation for understanding the structure and dynamics of ecological communities.     

Phytoplankton of Lake Peipsi-Pihkva: species composition, biomass and seasonal dynamics

With 33 years of phytoplankton quantitative studies carried out, a series of qualitative data with a length of over 80 years is at our disposal. About 500 algal species have been found in plankton by different researchers. In different seasons and years 35 main species (dominants and subdominants) form 68–96 % of biomass in L. Pihkva (southern, more eutrophic part) and 60–97 % in L. Peipsi (northern, less eutrophic part). L. Lämmijärv, connecting the two parts is similar to L. Pihkva in respect to phytoplankton and the trophic state. Diatoms and blue-green algae prevail in biomass, diatoms and green algae, in the species number. The oligo-mesotrophic Aulacoseira islandica (O. Müller) Sim. is characteristic of the cool period; A. granulata (Ehr.) Sim. and Stephanodiscus binderanus (Kütz.) Krieger prevail in summer and autumn, the latter being most abundant in the southern part. Gloeotrichia echinulata (J.S. Smith) P Richter and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (L.) Ralfs dominate in summer causing water-bloom. Phytoplankton has mostly three maxima in seasonal dynamics in L. Peipsi and two in L. Pihkva. Its average biomass in spring in different years has fluctuated in the range 5.6–16 and 6–12.7 g m^–3, in summer 3.1–14.8 and 5.6–125 (10–20 in most cases); and in autumn 7–16.3 and 5.2–26 in the northern and southern parts, respectively.The dominant complex has not changed considerably since 1909; however, the distribution of dominant species in lake parts has become more even in the last decades. Periods of high biomass occurred in the first half of the 1960s and 1970s and in 1988–1994, of low biomass in 1981–1987. The first coincided, in general, with periods of low water level and high water temperature.     

互花米草生物量变化对盐沼沉积物有机碳的影响

以江苏王港典型互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)盐沼湿地为研究对象,分析光滩及互花米草滩沉积物中有机碳的水平和垂向分布特征,了解互花米草生物量的季节动态变化,探讨二者之间的相互关系,在此基础上研究互花米草生物量分布和季节变化对沉积物中有机碳(TOC)含量的影响。结果表明,互花米草枯落物中的有机碳数量在两个月内衰减了40%,而表层沉积物中TOC含量及其中互花米草来源TOC所占比例的变化,均与互花米草地表枯落物量的季节变化存在两个月的"相位差",这与枯落物快速分解时间大致吻合,说明枯落物是表层沉积物中TOC的重要来源。高达60%的互花米草地下生物量分布在0—20cm深度内,该深度范围内沉积物中TOC含量较高,且TOC主要来源于互花米草。此外,不同深度TOC含量与地下生物量之间存在良好的正相关关系,说明地下生物量是影响沉积物TOC含量的重要因子。研究区互花米草年固碳能力为2274g m-2a-1,盐沼沉积物中TOC埋藏速率达到了470 g m-2a-1,是地表一个重要的碳汇;同时研究区每年向近岸水域输出大量的TOC,是近岸海域生态系统的一个重要碳源。     

Occupancy dynamics in small-stream habitats: niches define the responses to floods by two neotropical fishes

We modeled the occupancy dynamics of the benthic chum-chum (Pimelodella cf. gracilis) and the midwater threespot leporinus (Leporinus friderici) to determine how these fish species respond to disturbances caused by stream flooding. Fieldwork was conducted in two neotropical streams in central Brazil. Both species occupied fewer sites during floods than during periods with stable hydrology. The percentage of sites occupied by threespot leporinus increased from 57 to 75 %, and the percentage occupied by chum-chum increased from 27 to 87 %. Threespot leporinus moved upstream after floods, first recolonizing the sites farthest downstream and then recolonizing those farthest upstream. In contrast, chum-chum remained in several scattered sites along the stream during floods and recolonized nearby sites from these sources (i.e., colonization was not spatially concentrated). During wet hydroperiods, chum-chum used sites with water velocities ranging from 0.35 to 0.75 m/s. During the dry period, this range increased to 0.20–0.90 m/s (in sites that were colonized after the floods ended). Our results also showed that both species were more easily detected by snorkeling during the dry hydroperiod and that characteristics such as the substrate type and water velocity had different effects on the detectability of the two species. Overall, our study indicated that the annual persistence of threespot leporinus depends largely on seasonal upstream-biased movement, whereas the chum-chum population depends on the seasonal scattered colonization of temporary sites.