Evaluation of the trophic state of Lake Pamvotis Greece,a shallow urban lake

The trophic state of the shallow Lake Pamvotis was evaluated in order to search for potential restoration strategies. During the last decades Lake Pamvotis has been influenced by many of man-made impacts, such as sewage discharge and water level fluctuation. Physicochemical and biological parameters were monitored during the period 1998–1999. Important relationships were found between physicochemical and biological parameters as elucidated by redundancy analysis. Moreover, habitat conditions and the distribution of the aquatic macrophytes were also considered. Lake Pamvotis is a eutrophic ecosystem exhibiting also, a serious decline of submerged vegetation. Restoration management strategy requires reduction of the external and internal organic load, control of non-point pollution sources, control of hydrological regime, and establishment of bio-manipulation techniques.

     

氮、磷对热带浅水湖泊惠州西湖蓝藻的控制

湖泊富营养化常导致蓝藻生物量的增加,水质恶化.于2011年2月至12月对热带浅水湖泊惠州西湖六个湖区的蓝藻群落结构进行研究,以了解其时空变化特征及主要影响因素.结果表明,以沉水植物为优势的元妙观湖区与南南湖蓝藻无明显的优势种;平湖蓝藻优势种为银灰平裂藻(Merismopedia glauca)和湖丝藻(Limnothrix sp.),南丰湖、北丰湖和北南湖的主要优势种均为银灰平裂藻(Merismopedia glauca).平湖、南丰湖、北丰湖和北南湖蓝藻丰度及生物量存在显著的季节变化.相关分析显示惠州西湖夏季蓝藻生物量受氮、磷盐控制.冬季温度的影响,蓝藻生物量与氮、磷的相关性不显著.     

Phytoplankton succession and diversity in a warm monomictic,relatively shallow lake: Lake Volvi,Macedonia, Greece

In Lake Volvi, phytoplankton dominance was examined in relation to the main phases of the fluctuating physical state of the water column and nutrient levels. Four stages of algal succession were identified. The successional pattern was, in general, similar from year to year. External disturbances such as increased wind mixing and high floods had the effect of setting the succession back to an earlier stage.Nanoplanktic diatoms and flagellates dominated during the first stages of succession. The succession was running from r-selected species in early stages to K-strategists in summer and towards a mixed community in the terminal stage.Diversity was expressed by the indices of Gleason and Shannon (based on physical units and biomass). Interpretation of species diversity took into account the differential variations of its two components, the number of species and the evenness of their distribution. Diversity was more affected by evenness than by number of species.Diversity increased in late stages of succession corresponding to the complexity of the community (high number of species, high evenness). Physical disturbances influenced positively the diversity. The maximal diversity appeared in the transition periods between the compositional changes generated by disturbances and the true successional development. Disturbances may generate a more uniform distribution of diversity throughout the whole water column.The role of physical disturbances in increasing the phytoplankton diversity may be demonstrated from comparisons of diversity — evenness — species number of the same stages under different meteorological conditions.     

Structure and spatial patterns of macrobenthic community in Tai Lake,a large shallow lake,China

Tai Lake (Chinese: Taihu), the third-largest freshwater lake in China, suffers from harmful cyanobacteria blooms that are caused by economic development and population growth near the lake. Several studies have focused on phytoplankton in Tai Lake after a drinking water crisis in 2007; however, these studies primarily focused on microcystin bioaccumulation and toxicity to individual species without examining the effects of microcystin on macrobenthic community diversity. In this study, we conducted a survey of the lake to examine the effects of microcystine and other pollutants on marcobenthic community diversity. A totally of forty-nine species of macroinvertebrates were found in Tai Lake. Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri and Corbicula fluminea were the most abundant species. Cluster-analysis and one-way analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) identified three significantly different macrobenthic communities among the sample sites. More specifically, sites in the eastern bays, where aquatic macrophytes were abundant, had the highest diversity of macrobenthic communities, which were dominated by Bellamya aeruginosa, Bellamya purificata, L. hoffmeisteri, and Alocinma longicornis. Sites in Zhushan Bay contained relatively diverse communities, mainly composed of L. hoffmeisteri, C. fluminea, L. claparederanus, R. sinicus, and Cythura sp. Sites in the western region, Meiliang Bay and Wuli Bay had the lowest diversity, mainly composed of L. hoffmeisteri, C. fluminea, Branchiura sowerbyi, and Rhyacodrilus sinicus. In addition, the relationships between macrobenthic metrics (Shannon–Wiener, Margalef, and Pielou) and environmental variables showed that community structure and spatial patterns of macrobenthos in Tai Lake were significantly influenced by chemical oxygen demand (COD_Cr), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), lead (Pb), and microcystin-LR (L for leucine and R for arginine). Our findings provide critical information that could help managers and policymakers assess and modify ecological restoration practices.     

Phytoplankton biomass and distribution in a shallow eutrophic lake (Lake George,Uganda)

Summary Lake George, a shallow lake in western Uganda, supports a permanent and dense crop of phytoplankton, and may be regarded as eutrophic although the ambient concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus are low. The figures for the annual nutrient loadings (Viner and Smith, 1973) would suggest, however, a eutrophic lake when analysed on the scheme of eutrophication proposed by Vollenweider (1968).The horizontal distribution of chlorophyll a shows a concentric pattern, with the maximum values occurring towards the center. This horizontal variation is thought to reflect water movements, and a general pattern of water flow is proposed.The majority of the species show no seasonal variation but populations of both Anabaena and Melosira show annual variations. These two species also have a horizontal distribution pattern which is the reverse of other species. This pattern is used to support the proposed movements of water.Phytoplankton generation times are discussed in relation to the diurnal cycle occurring in Lake George.     

Small-scale distribution and diel vertical migration of zooplankton in a shallow lake (Lake Naardermeer,the Netherlands)

Groundwater is a major influence on the hydrological, chemical and thermal regime of chalk streams in the southern U.K. However, little is currently known about the nature of the sediment delivery system within these chalk stream systems, even though sediment-related problems have been increasingly cited as a cause of habitat degradation and of declining salmonid stocks. To address this knowledge gap, suspended sediment fluxes were monitored at 4 sites within the Hampshire Avon catchment between February 1999 and August 2000. Maximum suspended sediment concentrations ranged from nearly 45 mg l^–1 to 260 mg l^–1. Over the study period, annual suspended sediment loads ranged from 644 to 6215 t yr^–1 and annual specific sediment yields ranged from 1.4 to 12.5 t km^–2 yr^–1. The results show that, relative to other U.K. rivers, the study chalk streams are characterised by low suspended sediment concentrations and loads and less episodic behaviour.     

Temporal and vertical distribution of planktonic rotifers in a meromictic crater lake,Lake Nyahirya (Western Uganda)

Quantitative zooplankton sampling was carried out biweekly during 16 months in Lake Nyahirya, a Western Uganda crater lake. Six out of 24 rotifer species recorded from the lake were quantitatively important (Horaella brehmi, Brachionus angularis, B. caudatus, Keratella tropica, Filinia longiseta and F. opoliensis, and three others were common (Brachionus falcatus, Asplanchna sieboldi and Conochiloides natans). Rotifer peaks were correlated with rainy periods and relatively clear water, which coincide with the European spring and autumn. All species were able to deal with hypoxic conditions. A clear niche separation can be observed between different genera and between species of the same genus. The population dynamics of the rotifers seem to be ruled by repeated irregular environmental fluctuations. Rainfall appears to be a primary steering factor.     

大型浅水湖泊鄱阳湖湿地微生物的研究现状

鄱阳湖是我国第一大淡水湖泊,同时也是一个典型的季节性通江浅水湖泊,独特的水文特征和多样的湿地景观类型形成了复杂多样的微生物群落。本文综述了鄱阳湖水文节律、营养盐及重金属含量对湖泊微生物群落组成的影响,以及水位高程和湿地围垦对鄱阳湖湿地土壤微生物分布特征的影响,同时还探讨了未来湖泊湿地微生物的研究方向和鄱阳湖所拥有的独特研究条件,以期为未来湖泊微生物研究提供重要参考。     

Microscopic eukaryotes living in a dying lake (Lake Koronia, Greece)

The morphological and phylogenetic diversity of the microscopic eukaryotes of the Lake Koronia water column was investigated during a mass kill of birds and fish in August–September 2004. The dominant morphospecies corresponded to the known toxin-producing species Prymnesium parvum , followed by Amoebidium sp., a taxon belonging to the group of parasitic Mesomycetozoea , and the common chlorophyte Pediastrum boryanum. Prymnesium exhibited heteromorphic life-cycle stages (flagellate and nonmotile coccoid cells). Phylogenetic analysis with 18S rRNA gene suggested that these heteromorphic stages belonged to the Platychrysis – Prymnesium monophyletic group. The most abundant phylotype was almost identical to P. boryanum . The fungal phylotypes were related to the Chytridiomycota , and the ciliate-like ones were closely related to Enchelys polynucleata and Pattersoniella vitiphila . Two phylotypes representing novel members belonging to the Jakobida and the Apicomplexa were also found. The microscopic eukaryotes of Lake Koronia include several organisms that are related to parasitic life modes.     

The spatial and temporal distribution of an epiphytic algal community in a shallow prairie-parkland lake – Alberta, Canada

In Hastings Lake (longitudes 113°15' and 53°50'N), a shallow eutrophic lake, the spatial and temporal changes in species composition. diversitv. standing crops, and primary productivity of the epiphytic algae attached to Phragmnes australis and Scirpus validus were investigated in relation to the physico-chemical environment. Of the dominant species, cyanophycean algae ( Lyngbya diguetii and Calothrix sp.) developed best in the 25 cm region below the water surface, while the chlorophycean alga, Stigeoclonium nanum and the diatoms (Cocconeis placentula, Gomphonema parvulum and Rhoicosphenia curvata) did so in the 50 cm and 75 cm regions, respectively. Certain dominant species persisted throughout, interrupted by "shock periods" which created spring, summer, and autumn peaks. Species diversity indices increased with depth, and generally decreased spring through winter. Standing crop maxima occurred within the top 25 cm of the host stems, and showed spring and larger autumn peaks before declining to low. yet significant winter levels. Productivity, too, was greatest in the top 25 cm region, and again peaked in the spring and autumn. Cross incubation studies elucidated vertical and seasonal relationships among productivity, photosynthetic index, and efficiency, and productivity efficiency. An interplay of "sun and shade" adapted populations within the community was found. The epiphytic algae displayed but a muted seasonal response to physico-chemical fluctuations: however, there was an association with overall nutrient changes as determined by meq HCO₃⁻I⁻¹.     

Light availability as a possible regulator of cyanobacteria species composition in a shallow subtropical lake

1. Variations in the relative biovolumes of dominant cyanobacterial taxa were evaluated in the context of environmental conditions using canonical correlation analysis (CCorrA) and Redundancy Analysis (RDA). The objective was to test a conceptual model in which underwater irradiance determines dominance by bloom-forming (high light adapted) or non-blooming (low light adapted) taxa. 2. The data set consisted of 404 contiguous observations, collected over a 3-year period at eight pelagic sites, in shallow Lake Okeechobee, Florida, U.S.A. Data included species biovolumes, total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), dissolved oxygen (DO) and chlorophyll a concentrations, as well as two indices: underwater irradiance (Secchi depth) and the ratio of Secchi:total depth. 3. The first environmental canonical variable was strongly correlated with the two light-related indices, and negatively correlated with TP. This reflects the predominant role of resuspended P-rich lake sediments in controlling underwater irradiance in the shallow lake. The first species canonical variable displayed a strong negative correlation with Lyngbya limnetica and L. contorta, and positive correlations with Anabaena circinalis, Aphanizomenon flos aquae and Microcystis spp. The results support the conceptual model; the first pair of canonical variables explained 55% of the variation in the species–environmental data set. RDA results provided further support for the hypothesis that irradiance was the major force controlling community structure. 4. One unexpected result was a positive association between Oscillatoria spp. dominance and indicators of high irradiance. This conflicts with past research indicating that Oscillatoria is a low light adapted taxon, and the finding that it is the most abundant taxon in Lake Okeechobee. This may reflect the fact that the two Lyngbya taxa were more strongly associated with low light conditions than Oscillatoria. CCorrA results indicated that Oscillatoria densities are strongly controlled by water temperature. There is a need for more detailed studies of cyanobacteria ecophysiology in order to explain fully the seasonality of phytoplankton in this and other shallow subtropical lakes.     

Biological and chemical factors driving the temporal distribution of cyanobacteria and heterotrophic bacteria in a eutrophic lake (West Lake,China)

Physico-chemical parameters, hydrological conditions, and microbial interactions can affect the growth and persistence of cyanobacteria, but the interacting effects among these bloom-forming factors are still poorly known. This hampers our capacity to predict the occurrence of cyanobacterial bloom accurately. Here, we studied the relationship between temperature, N and P cycles, and the microbial community abundance and diversity at 0.5 m under the surface of West Lake (China) from January 21 to November 20, 2015, in order to better understand the key factors regulating temporal changes in the cyanobacterial community. Using high throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 region, we studied the diversity and abundance of bacteria. In parallel, we measured physico-chemical parameters and followed the abundance of key genes involved in N fixation, denitrification, and nutrient uptake. Multivariate analyses suggest that P concentration and water temperature are the key factors controlling the outbreak of summer cyanobacterial bloom. RT-qPCR analyses of the bacterial community and measurements of the copy number of denitrification-related gene (nirK, nosZ, nirS) show that denitrification potential and denitrifying bacteria relative abundance (Pseudomonas and Bacillus) increased in concert with diazotrophic cyanobacterial genera (Anabaena, Nostoc, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae) and the common bloom-forming non-diazotrophic cyanobacterium genus Microcystis. The present study brings new insights on the complex interplay between physico-chemical parameters, heterotrophic bacterial community composition, nitrogen cycle, and cyanobacteria dominance in a eutrophic lake.

     

Temporal and spatial distribution of biogenic silica and its significance in the Wuliangsuhai Lake and Daihai Lake

In this work, the concentrations, temporal and spatial distributions and the relationship between biogenic silica (BSi) and primary productivity are discussed on the basis of the geochemistry character of BSi in the water–sediment system of the Wuliangsuhai Lake and Daihai Lake. The results show that the average concentrations of SiO₃^2- and BSi are 3.0 mg/L and 3.5 mg/g in the overlying water and sediments from the Wuliangsuhai Lake, respectively, while they are 1.0 mg/L and 7.5 mg/g, respectively, in the Daihai Lake. It is the uptake and assimilation of diatom phytoplankton which results in the significant difference of the SiO₃^2- concentrations between the two lakes, and the inputs of surface runoff is one of the important factors in impacting the spatial distributions of SiO₃^2- in the overlying water. The spatial distributions of BSi suggest the Si source of the two lakes and indicate the differences of eutrophication types and ancient primary producer between the two lakes. The eutrophication precesses and ancient primary productivity of diatom phytoplankton are reconstructed by applying the geochemistry information of BSi archived in the vertical concentration profiles in the two lake sediments. The geochemistry information of BSi well responds to the paleoenvironment and paleoclimate of the Daihai drainage basin indicating silicate limitation of primary productivity by diatoms phytoplankton in the Daihai Lake.     

Temporal and spatial distribution of biogenic silica and its significance in the Wuliangsuhai Lake and Daihai Lake

In this work, the concentrations, temporal and spatial distributions and the relationship between biogenic silica (BSi) and primary productivity are discussed on the basis of the geochemistry character of BSi in the water–sediment system of the Wuliangsuhai Lake and Daihai Lake. The results show that the average concentrations of SiO₃^2- and BSi are 3.0 mg/L and 3.5 mg/g in the overlying water and sediments from the Wuliangsuhai Lake, respectively, while they are 1.0 mg/L and 7.5 mg/g, respectively, in the Daihai Lake. It is the uptake and assimilation of diatom phytoplankton which results in the significant difference of the SiO₃^2- concentrations between the two lakes, and the inputs of surface runoff is one of the important factors in impacting the spatial distributions of SiO₃^2- in the overlying water. The spatial distributions of BSi suggest the Si source of the two lakes and indicate the differences of eutrophication types and ancient primary producer between the two lakes. The eutrophication precesses and ancient primary productivity of diatom phytoplankton are reconstructed by applying the geochemistry information of BSi archived in the vertical concentration profiles in the two lake sediments. The geochemistry information of BSi well responds to the paleoenvironment and paleoclimate of the Daihai drainage basin indicating silicate limitation of primary productivity by diatoms phytoplankton in the Daihai Lake.     

Characteristics of nutrient dynamics in Lake Sagate,Japan, a shallow sand dune lake

We examined differences in digestibility and viability following gut passage through water penny larvae (Psephenus herricki) of Synedra ulna and Achnanthidium lanceoloatum, two common diatom taxa that differ in growth habit and autecological characteristics. Prior to the experiment, diatoms were cultured in Chu-10 media in petri plates to establish a monospecific biofilm to offer grazers. After collection, insects were left to clear their guts over night, allowed to graze for 3 hours on diatom biofilms, and then placed in vials over 1-mm mesh to defecate. Samples from source material and from insect feces were mounted in syrup media and the ratio of chloroplast-containing to empty diatom frustules was microscopically assessed. In addition, subsamples from source material and feces were sprayed onto agar plates prepared with Chu-10 and individual cells were mapped and tracked for 5 days to quantify reproduction. Cells of both S. ulna and A. lanceolatum taken from source material formed colonies on agar. Achnanthidium lanceolatum cells from insect feces also formed colonies, but with lower densities than those from source material. In contrast, none of the S. ulna cells tracked from fecal cultures formed colonies, and the percentage of S. ulna cells that were dead was significantly greater in feces relative to source material. Dead cell percentages of A. lanceolatum were also higher in feces relative to source material, but to a lesser degree than observed for S. ulna. These findings have potential implications for linking patterns of energy transfer in stream ecosystems and the structure and dynamics of benthic microalgal communities.     

巢湖叶绿素a浓度的时空分布及其与氮、磷浓度关系

基于巢湖水体2002~2007年水质监测资料,对叶绿素a浓度的分布、动态及与TN、TP的关系进行了统计分析。巢湖叶绿素a浓度与TN、TP的浓度分布存在明显的空间差异,西半湖叶绿素a浓度全年高于20μg/L,TN为1.94~3.84mg/L,TP为0.20~0.42mg/L;东半湖叶绿素a浓度全年小于5.5μg/L,TN为0.95~1.83mg/L,TP为0.08~0.14mg/L。在东半湖,叶绿素a含量与TN呈不明显的正线性关系,当TP浓度较低时,叶绿素a随TP的增加小幅上升,但是当TP>0.15mg/L时,叶绿素a随TP的增加而明显上升;在西半湖,当水体TN<5.8mg/L或者TP<2.0mg/L时,叶绿素a含量与TN、TP关系为正线性关系,当TN在5.8~9.4mg/L或者TP介于0.2~0.3mg/L间时,叶绿素a含量与TN、TP关系为不显著的负线性关系,当TP浓度>0.3mg/L时,叶绿素a含量与TP关系又为正线性关系。西半湖叶绿素a浓度的变化可能是藻类生物活动与沉积物及水体中营养盐的相互作用结果。在治理巢湖富营养化时,应优先控制西半湖的磷元素。     

Temporal and spatial patterns in the distribution and abundance of pico, nano and microphytoplankton in an upland lake

SUMMARY. 1. An investigation of the seasonal and depth distribution of populations of autotrophic picoplankton (0.2–2 μm), nanophytoplankton (>2<20 μm) and larger microalgal plankton (>20μm) was carried out over 2¹/₂ years, 1988–90, in Llyn Padarn, a mesotrophic upland lake in North Wales. 2. Cell numbers of picophytoplankton ranged from <10² to >10⁶ cells cm^?3. Maximum numbers of nanoplankton were c. 10⁴ cells cm^?3 and the greatest abundance of microalgal plankton, diatoms, reached 12 × 10³ cells cm^?3. 3. Three types of picoalgae were distinguished: coccoid to oval Synechococcus—Synechocystis, the rod-shaped Synchecococcus capitatus Bailey-Watts & Komárek and Chlorella minutissima Fott & Nováková, with maximum numbers of 1.2 × 10⁶, 37.8 × 10³ and 44.1 × 10³ cells cm^?3, respectively. 4. Picophytoplankton exhibited periods of exponential growth: the first in spring, and the second in August—September with an intervening population minimum in early to midsummer. Specific rates of population increase for picophytoplankton were low, with minimum apparent generation times of 3.8 days in summer 1989. 5. Nanophytoplankton included seven species of phytoflagellates and two non-motile species. These algae were present for about 10 months in each year exhibiting a fluctuation in population density of 10^2?-10³ cells cm^?3. 6. There were spring and autumn maxima in chlorophyll a concentrations in the lake water corresponding to the growth of planktonic diatoms. Maximum total biomass concentration was 35 mg m^?3 chlorophyll a, whereas pico, nano and microphytoplankton had individual maxima of 7.7, 8.4 and 31.0 mg m^?3 chlorophyll a, respectively. Picophytoplankton often contributed > 60% of the total algal chlorophyll a in the epilimnion. 7. The growth patterns and seasonal periodicities of the three size-categories of planktonic algae in Llyn Padarn were distinct. Picophytoplankton persist throughout much of the year with periods of very low abundance, < 100 cells cm^?3, occurring in winter and midsummer. Thus for much of the year, there was a large inoculum of these cells in the lake to initiate growth leading to the population maxima in spring and late summer. Nanoplankton populations, a diverse assemblage, fluctuated in numbers over the period February–November; no population decline in midsummer comparable to picophytoplankton was observed. The larger microphyloplankton exhibited classical seasonal periodicity, namely diatom growth in spring and late summer–autumn with growth of large-celled chlorophytes in the intervening summer period.     

Microbial food web in a large shallow lake (Lake Balaton, Hungary)

Seasonal variations of phyto-, bacterio- and colourless flagellate plankton were followed across a year in the large shallow Lake Balaton (Hungary). Yearly average chlorophyll-a concentration was 11 µg 1^–1, while the corresponding values of bacterioplankton and heterotrophic nanoflagellate (HNF) plankton biomass (fresh weight) were 0.24 mg 1^–1 and 0.35 mg 1^–1, respectively. About half of planktonic primary production was channelled through bacterioplankton on the yearly basis. However, there was no significant correlation between phytoplankton biomass and bacterial abundance. Bacterial specific growth rates were in the range of 0.009 and 0.09 h^–1, and ended to follow the seasonal changes in water temperature. In some periods of the year, predator-prey relationships between the HNF and bacterial abundance were obvious. The estimated HNF grazing on bacteria varied between 3% and 227% of the daily bacterial production. On an annual basis, 87% of bacterial cell production was grazed by HNF plankton.     

Temporal dynamics in epipelic, pelagic and epiphytic algal production in a clear and a turbid shallow lake

SUMMARY 1. Pelagic and epipelic microalgal production were measured over a year in a pre-defined area (depth 0.5 m) in each of two lakes, one turbid and one with clear water. Further estimates of epiphytic production within reed stands were obtained by measuring production of periphyton developed on artificial substrata.
2. Total annual production of phytoplankton and epipelon was 34% greater in the turbid lake (190 g C m⁻² year⁻¹) than in the clearwater lake (141 g C m⁻² year⁻¹). However, the ratio of total production to mean water column TP concentration was two fold greater in the clearwater lake.
3. Phytoplankton accounted for the majority of the annual production (96%) in the turbid lake, while epipelic microalgal production dominated (77%) in the clear lake. The relative contribution of epipelic algae varied over the year, however, and in the turbid lake was higher in winter (11–25%), when the water was relatively clear, than during summer (0.7–1.7%), when the water was more turbid. In the clearwater lake, the relative contribution of epipelon was high both in winter, when the water was most clear, and in mid-summer, when phytoplankton production was constrained either by nutrients or grazing.
4. Compared with pelagic and epipelic primary production, epiphytic production within a reed stand was low and did not vary significantly between the lakes.
5. The study supports the theory of a competitive and compensatory trade-off between primary producers in lakes with contrasting nutrient concentrations, resulting in relatively small differences in overall production between clear and turbid lakes when integrating over the season and over different habitats.     

Spatial and temporal distribution of fish and zooplankton in a shallow lake

Summary 1. We performed both a large- and a small-scale echo sounding study on the spatial and temporal distribution of fish (mainly roach, Rutilus rutilus and perch, Perca fluviatlis ), as well as a small-scale study of zooplankton distribution in the small, shallow and eutrophic Lake Hanebjerg in Denmark. In the small-scale study, sampling was conducted in open water as well as in the edge zone immediately outside two different types of vegetation.
2. Fish daytime abundances differed between the northern and the southern parts of the lake and, on a small scale, small fish aggregated in the edge zones during day, preferably outside dense emergent vegetation. Copepods avoided emergent vegetation, while cladocerans showed no habitat preference. Both small fish and cladoceran numbers were found to be higher during night than day.
3. The relative abundance (number per sample) of cladocerans in the edge zone immediately outside vegetation was negatively correlated with the relative abundance of fish in that zone. There was no correlation between cladoceran and fish abundance in open water, or between the relative abundance of copepods and fish.
4. The presence of pelagic piscivores in combination with avoidance behaviour of both fish and zooplankton is a likely explanation for the observed distribution of small fish and cladocerans in Lake Hanebjerg. Both small- and large-scale distribution patterns may be dependent on the type and distribution of complex structure in the lake. Even in a small lake, large-scale patterns may affect the interpretation of small-scale data.