Response of aquatic macrophytes in Northern Irish softwater lakes to forestry management; eutrophication and dissolved organic carbon

Softwater lakes provide a habitat for isoetid macrophytes, which are vulnerable to eutrophication and acidification. In Ireland many catchments of such lakes are currently planted with exotic conifers. Management of these plantations can lead to increases in lake water phosphorus (P), threatening the survival of softwater macrophytes. Regional increases of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) may also have a detrimental effect on aquatic plants. The persistence of the macrophyte flora in lakes with managed forested catchments in Northern Ireland was investigated by comparing the macrophyte community of 12 lakes surveyed in 2007 with a 1988-1990 survey. Contemporary data were compared with plant macrofossil records pre-dating 1900. Macrophyte abundance generally remained unchanged but Littorella uniflora (L.) Asch. and Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw. showed a significant decline since 1988-1990. Water colour, alkalinity, silica, total P, total soluble P and soluble reactive P increased; conductivity and chlorophyll a decreased in the lakes over time. These changes coincided with increased pH in precipitation and potentially elevated exports of DOC to water. Conifer plantation management appeared to have less impact on the macrophyte flora than expected from the elevated lake P concentrations. It appears that a large regional increase in DOC is also a threat to macrophyte abundance and diversity in these upland catchments and conservation efforts may be more successful in lakes with longer water residence times.     

Spatial patterns in aquatic vegetation composition and environmental covariates along chains of lakes in the Kokemäenjoki watershed (S. Finland)

The diversity and community structure of macrophyte vegetation was studied in 50 boreal lakes forming several upper reaches of lake chains around Lammi, southern Finland. Water chemical parameters and morphometry of the basins were included in a multivariate analysis. Floating-leaved vegetation was the dominant growth form, followed by emergent plants. In downstream lakes, the dominance of floating-leaved macrophytes declined, and emergent species increased in abundance. Species richness was highest in larger lakes, with a wider range of littoral habitats than smaller lakes. Electrical conductivity (range 18–151 mS cm⁻¹, 25 °C) of the water correlated well with patterns in diversity among lakes, but this was not the case for nutrient concentrations. As a whole, morphometrical characteristics of lake basins showed better correlations with vegetation structure than any of the measured chemical parameters. The macrophyte vegetation of neighbouring lake chains differed considerably, depending on the surrounding landscape properties, water quality of the lakes and immigration history of plant species.     

Niche congruency of aquatic macrophytes in central North America with respect to 5 water chemistry parameters

The occurrences of aquatic macrophytes were studied at 430 sites in central North America with respect to total alkalinity, chloride, sulphate, molybdenum reactive phosphorus and dissolved organic matter. Mean niche positions were calculated for the combination of 5 parameters by comparing mean values for each species using agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis. Overall niche relations were examined by calculating and summing the amount of overlap in the observed ecological tolerance ranges for the 5 parameters for each species pair, and applying cluster and principal component analysis. The results showed that the macrophytes occupied a broad spectrum of niches, ranging from species found at low inorganic concentrations and narrow tolerance ranges, to species occupying broad ranges in the study area. Species with similar overall niches differed with respect to their mean niche positions, and vice versa. Macrophytes with similar niche positions may use a number of strategies to reduce interspecific competition.     

Growth and nutrient absorption of two submerged aquatic macrophytes in mesocosms, for reinsertion in a eutrophicated shallow lake

Aquatic macrophytes play a central role in preserving the ecological equilibrium of shallow lakes and in the restoration of eutrophic lakes that have switched to phytoplankton-dominated turbid water. Massaciuccoli Lake, a shallow lake located along the Tuscan coast in Italy, has shown a constant and progressive simplification of the submerged plant community, for anthropogenic reasons, leading, in recent years, to turbid water. The growth and nutrient absorption capability of two macrophyte species, Myriophyllum verticillatum L. and Elodea canadensis Michaux, in the lake was investigated, with the prospect of a future lake restoration programme centred on their replacement. Mesocosm experiments were conducted to monitor the plant growth and nutrient (NO₂⁻, NO₃⁻, NH₄⁺, Ntot, PO₄³⁻, Ptot) content in the plant dry matter and water at the beginning and at the end of the trial. Bacterial activity was analysed in the water in order to verify the possible nutrient absorption contribution by organisms other than plants. Both M. verticillatum and E. canadensis showed satisfactory growth and nutrient reduction in the water body. Moreover, their different growth patterns suggested that optimal replacement can be performed with their introduction in two steps, starting with M. verticillatum, which shows the best capacity to colonise the aquatic environment, due to its tendency towards lengthening.     

Changes in phosphorus content of two aquatic macrophytes according to water velocity,trophic status and time period in hardwater streams

We examined the influence of water velocity, trophic status, and time period on the phosphorus content of two aquatic macrophytes. We sampled Berula erecta (Huds.) and Callitriche obtusangula (Le Gall.) from 17 oligosaprobic hardwater streams in the Alsatian Rhine floodplain of northeastern France. Sampling was conducted on a monthly basis during a 9-month period from August 1996 to April 1997. For B. erecta, phosphorus content of shoots and roots were correlated to water phosphorus content but not to sediment phosphorus content. The range of phosphorus shoot content of C. obtusangula was similar to that of B. erecta. Phosphorus shoot content of C. obtusangula was not correlated with water and sediment phosphorus content. In one stream where both species were present on the same sampling dates, shoot phosphorus content decreased when water velocity was high, particularly for C. obtusangula. Additionally, a significant effect of time period was observed for both species when the water velocities were low. The effect of water velocity was only significant from spring (April) to autumn (October) when plant phosphorus content was highest. Handling editor: S. Magela Thomaz     

The bounty of minor lakes: the role of small satellite water bodies in evolution and conservation of fishes in the Lake Victoria Region,East Africa

The Lake Victoria Region (LVR) encompasses the large lakes Victoria, Kyoga, Edward, George and Kivu, as well as scores of small satellite lakes within the parent catchments. Taken as a whole, the LVR originally harbored a unique fish fauna that included in excess of 600 endemic species of cichlid fishes. As a result of human influence, including a commercial fishery and the introduction of several exotic species, nearly 200 cichlid species and several endemic genera have become extinct from lakes Victoria and Kyoga. Recently, we have discovered that some of the apparently extinct taxa survive as extant representatives in the satellite lakes. Here, we summarize the findings of our ecological survey of the fish species of the satellite lakes. We also discuss the results of some preliminary genetic analyses, and highlight major genetic and ecological changes in the fish fauna that have taken place in the regional fishery. Minor lakes now play a crucial role in conserving the endangered species of the entire region, and also as living museums of East African ecological history. Our findings allude to the historical importance of minor satellite lakes as natural refugia for the fishes of the Lake Victoria Region, a region characterized by a history of geological and climatic instability.     

Classifying aquatic macrophytes as indicators of eutrophication in European lakes

Aquatic macrophytes are one of the biological quality elements in the Water Framework Directive (WFD) for which status assessments must be defined. We tested two methods to classify macrophyte species and their response to eutrophication pressure: one based on percentiles of occurrence along a phosphorous gradient and another based on trophic ranking of species using Canonical Correspondence Analyses in the ranking procedure. The methods were tested at Europe-wide, regional and national scale as well as by alkalinity category, using 1,147 lakes from 12 European states. The grouping of species as sensitive, tolerant or indifferent to eutrophication was evaluated for some taxa, such as the sensitive Chara spp. and the large isoetids, by analysing the (non-linear) response curve along a phosphorous gradient. These thresholds revealed in these response curves can be used to set boundaries among different ecological status classes. In total 48 taxa out of 114 taxa were classified identically regardless of dataset or classification method. These taxa can be considered the most consistent and reliable indicators of sensitivity or tolerance to eutrophication at European scale. Although the general response of well known indicator species seems to hold, there are many species that were evaluated differently according to the database selection and classification methods. This hampers a Europe-wide comparison of classified species lists as used for the status assessment within the WFD implementation process.     

Effects of retrogressive permafrost thaw slumping on sediment chemistry and submerged macrophytes in Arctic tundra lakes

1. Global warming is predicted to cause changes in permafrost cover and stability in the Arctic. Zones of high ion concentration in regions of ice‐rich permafrost are a reservoir of chemicals that can potentially be transferred to fresh waters during thawing. Consequently, input of enriched runoff from the thaw and sediment and vegetation from the landscape could alter lakes by affecting their geochemistry and biological production. 2. Three undisturbed lakes and five lakes disturbed by retrogressive permafrost thaw slumps were sampled during late summer of 2006 to assess the potential effects of thermokarst shoreline slumping on water and sediment chemistry, the underwater light regime, and benthic macrophyte biomass and community structure. 3. Undisturbed lakes had sediments rich in organic material and selected micronutrients, while disturbed lakes had sediments richer in calcium, magnesium and strontium, greater transparency of the water column, and a well‐developed submerged macrophyte community. 4. It is postulated that enriched runoff chemistry may alter nutrient availability at the sediment–water interface and also the degradation of organic material, thus affecting lake transparency and submerged macrophytes. The results suggest that retrogressive permafrost slumping can significantly affect food webs in arctic tundra lakes through an increase in macrophyte biomass and development of a more complex benthic habitat.     

Effects of aquatic macrophytes on water quality and phytoplankton communities in shallow lakes

We investigated aquatic macrophytes, water quality, and phytoplankton biomass and species composition in three shallow lakes with different levels of vegetation cover and nutrient concentration in Kushiro Moor, during August 2000. Trapa japonica can live in a wide range of nutrient levels. This species forms an environment with a steeper extinction of light, higher concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), lower concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO) near the bottom, and lower concentrations of nitrate+nitrite and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) than other vegetation types. The pH was much higher in a Polygonum amphibium community, and the DO near the bottom did not decrease compared to a T.japonica community in the summer. The relationship between chlorophyll a and the limiting nutrient (total phosphorus (TP) when total nitrogen (TN):TPis 10 and TN/10 when TN:TP is <10) significantly differed between lakes with and without submerged vegetation. The chlorophyll a concentrations at a given nutrient level were significantly lower in water with submerged macrophytes than in water without them. Correspondence analysis showed that the difference in phytoplankton community structure across sites was largely due to the presence or absence of submerged macrophytes, and the ordination of phytoplankton species in the lakes with submerged macrophytes is best explained by environmental gradients of TN, chlorophyll, pH and SRP.     

The effects of lime addition on aquatic macrophytes in hard water: in situ and microcosm experiments

1. Aquatic macrophytes are abundant in ponds and canals that are constructed in semi‐arid regions for water storage and conveyance, as well as in lakes that are culturally enriched. 2. Addition of Ca(OH)₂ to two hardwater ponds at 250 or 275 mg L^–1 caused an immediate eradication of submersed aquatic plants. Although these ponds are well‐buffered (alkalinity: 2.57–3.94 mequiv L^–1; pH: 8.1–9.0), lime addition caused an immediate increase in pH of 0.2–3 units. 3. Application of 135 mg L^–1 Ca(OH)₂ for 24 h or 210 mg L^–1 Ca(OH)₂ for 65 h to two irrigation canals had no effect on macrophyte biomass at the lower concentration and duration, but resulted in the elimination of aquatic macrophytes 1 month after the higher concentration, longer duration treatment. 4. Unlike the macrophyte control achieved following application of 210–275 mg L^–1 Ca(OH)₂ to ponds or canals, microcosm experiments in which lime formulation [slaked lime (Ca(OH)₂), calcite (CaCO₃), or a 1 : 1 mixture] and concentrations (up to 1500 mg L^–1) were manipulated failed to elicit a consistent change in macrophyte biomass. Macrophytes in microcosms treated for the short‐term (23–33 days) with ≥ 200 mg L^–1 Ca(OH)₂ or a mixed Ca(OH)₂/CaCO₃ formulation always lost pigmentation, but biomass was not consistently reduced. 5. Declines in macrophyte biomass following treatment of ponds and canals may have been triggered by a short‐term rise in pH which, in these relatively warm (22–23 °C) alkaline (2.28–3.94 mequiv L^–1) systems, would have resulted in low concentrations of free CO₂ and bicarbonate for photosynthesis.     

The role of macroinvertebrates and fish in regulating the provision by macrophytes of refugia for zooplankton in a warm temperate shallow lake

1. The zooplankton often undergoes diel horizontal migration (DHM) from the open water to the littoral of shallow lakes, thus avoiding predators in the former. This behaviour has functional impacts within the lake, as it enhances zooplankton survival, increases their control of phytoplankton and tends to stabilise the clear water state. However, most of the evidence supporting this migration pattern comes from cold north temperate lakes, and more evidence from tropical and subtropical areas, as well as from southern temperate areas, is needed. 2. We conducted a field study of the diel horizontal and vertical migration of zooplankton, and the horizontal distribution of potential predatory macroinvertebrates and fish, over two consecutive days in the summer in a temperate lake in the southern hemisphere. We took zooplankton samples at two depths, at three sampling stations (inside beds of aquatic macrophytes, at their edge and in open water) along three transects running from the centre of a bed of Ceratophyllum demersum to open water. At each sampling station, we also took samples of macroinvertebrates and fish and measured physical and chemical environmental variables. 3. Zooplankton (pelagic cladocerans, calanoid copepods and rotifers) avoided the shore, probably because of the greater risk from predators there. Larger and more vulnerable cladocerans, such as Diaphanosoma brachyurum and Moina micrura, were two to four times more abundant in open water than at the edge of or inside beds of macrophytes, respectively, by both day and night. Less vulnerable zooplankton [i.e. of medium body size (Ceriodaphnia dubia) or with the ability to swim fast (calanoid copepods)] were distributed evenly between open water and the edge of the plant beds. Small zooplankton, Bosmina huaronensis and pelagic rotifers, showed an even distribution among the three sampling stations. Accordingly, no DHM of zooplankton occurred, although larger organisms migrated vertically inside C. demersum stands. 4. Macrophytes contained high densities of predatory macroinvertebrates and fish. The predator assemblage, composed of large‐bodied macroinvertebrates (including odonates and shrimps) and small littoral fish, was permanently associated with submerged macrophytes. None of these groups moved outside the plant beds or changed their population structure (fish) over the diel cycle. 5. Submerged macrophyte beds do not represent a refuge for zooplankton in lakes where predators are numerous among the plants, implying a weaker top‐down control of phytoplankton biomass by zooplankton and, consequently, a more turbid lake. The effectiveness of macrophytes as a refuge for zooplankton depends on the associated assemblage of predatory macroinvertebrates and fish among the plants.     

Modeling impacts of Yangtze River water transfer on water ages in Lake Taihu, China

To improve water quality and alleviate eutrophication in Lake Taihu, the third largest freshwater lake in China, a Yangtze River water transfer project was initiated in 2002 to bring water from the Yangtze River to Lake Taihu to dilute and divert pollutants out of the lake. We used a three-dimensional numerical model, Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code, to study the impacts of water transfer on the transport of dissolved substances in the lake by using the concept of water age. In particular, the influences of inflow tributaries and wind forcing on water age were investigated. Model results showed that the effect of water transfer on transport processes in the lake is strongly influenced by hydrodynamic conditions induced by wind and inflow/outflow tributaries. During the simulation year (2005), the water ages in Lake Taihu were highly variable both spatially and temporally, with a mean of approximately 130 days in summer and 230 days in the other seasons. Southeasterly winds—dominant in the summer—could improve the quality of water by reducing the water age in the eastern areas of the lake, which are used as a drinking water source, and in Meiliang Bay, the most polluted bay. In terms of dilution, the most efficient flow rate for transferred water was predicted to be approximately 100 m³/s. The spatial distribution of water ages showed that water transfer may preferentially enhance exchanges in some areas of the lake unless nutrient concentrations in the transferred water are reduced to a reasonable level. This study provides useful information for a better understanding of the complex hydrodynamic and mass transport processes in the lake, which is important for developing and implementing effective ecological restoration strategies in the region.     

The role of zooplankton on the self-purification in water bodies

Summary The processes of self-purification in polluted waters can be carried out in two ways. First by the conversion of unstable organic matter into the bodies of living organisms. Second the mineralization of organic substances in the process of destruction of organic matter. In the present article there is shown by a number of examples the possible role of zooplankton in the production and destruction of organic matter in polluted water bodies, their participation in the matter and energy cycle, and also in lowering BOD. It has been shown that the production of crustacean zooplankton can reach great amount up to 50 kg/m³ wet weight. The role of Rotatoria in the destruction of organic matter can be 1–17% of the total amount of it in the mass of water over 24 hours, and the role of Cladocera in its mass development approaches 100%. Coefficient of the utilization of food on growth for Cladocera in summer months = 0.33–0.35, for Copepoda = 0.22. The coefficient of the utilization of assimilated food on growth K₂ = 0.41–0.45 for all species. It is noted that with the mass development of zooplankton, its direct participation in the lowering of BOD₁ reaches very high values. So for a biomass of 500 mg/l it is about 40 mg/l O₂ for 24 hours; of B = 3000 mg/l it is 300 mg/l O₂.Thus under conditions of mass development the role of zooplankton in the processes of self-purification of polluted water bodies can be very significant.

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Zusammenfassung Die Prozesse der Selbstreinigung in verunreinigten Gewässern können in zwei Wegen verlaufen. Erstens handelt es sich um die Umwandlung der nicht stabilen organischen Stoffe in die Körper der lebenden Organismen, zweitens um die Mineralisation im Prozesse der Destruktion der organischen Stoffe.Im vorliegenden Beitrag ist die mögliche Rolle des Zooplanktons an der Produktion and Destruktion der organischen Stoffe in verunreinigten Gewässern, sein Anteil am Stof und Energiekreislauf und an der Erniedrigung des BSB in mehreren Beispielen gezeigt. Es wurde gefunden, daß die Produktion der planktischen Krustazeen bis 50 kg/m³ (Frischgewicht) erreichen kann. Der Anteil der Rädertiere an der Destruktion der organischen Stoffe kann im Totalvolumen des Wassers innerhalb von 24 Stunden 1 bis 17% sein, während sich die Vertretung der Kladozeren in ihrer Massenentwicklung bis zu 100% nähert. Das Koeffizient der Ausnutzung der assimilierten Nahrung fur das Wachstum K₂ gleicht bei allen Arten 0,41 bis 0,45. Es wurde beobachtet, daß mit der Massenentwicklung des Zooplanktons seine direkte Beteiligung an der Erniederigung des BSB₂ sehr hohe Werte erreichte, z.B. für eine Biomasse von 500 mg/l Frischgewicht sind es etwa 40 Mg/1 O₂.24 St., für 3000 mg/l etwa 300 mg/l.Es konnte bewiesen werden, daß wahrend einer Massenentwicklung die Rolle des Zooplanktons bei der Selbstreinigung in verunreinigten Gewässern ein bedeutsames Ausmass erreichen kann.

     

Stable isotopic survey of the role of macrophytes in the carbon flow of aquatic foodwebs

Whether aquatic animals rely primarily for sustenance upon vascular macrophytes or attached algae has been often debated. A compilation of carbon isotope data from the literature for coastal seagrass meadows, estuarine salt marshes, and freshwater lakes and rivers indicates that animal ¹³C values more closely approximate those of attached algae than they do those of vascular plants. This empirical synthesis supports results from individual studies in suggesting that macrophytes are unlikely to play an exclusive and direct dietary role in aquatic foodwebs.     

Estimation of real-time N load in surface water using dynamic data-driven application system

Agricultural, industrial, and urban activities are the major sources for eutrophication of surface water ecosystems. Currently, determination of nutrients in surface water is primarily accomplished by manually collecting samples for laboratory analysis, which requires at least 24 h. In other words, little to no effort has been devoted to monitoring real-time variations of nutrients in surface water ecosystems due to the lack of suitable and/or cost-effective wireless sensors. However, when considering human health or instantaneous outbreaks such as algal blooms, timely water-quality information is very critical. In this study, we developed a new paradigm of a dynamic data-driven application system (DDDAS) for estimating the real-time loads of nitrogen (N) in a surface water ecosystem. This DDDAS consisted of the following components: (1) a Visual Basic (VB) program for downloading US Geological Survey real-time chlorophyll and discharge data from the internet; (2) a STELLA model for evaluating real-time N loads based on the relationship between chlorophyll and N as well as on river discharge; (3) a batch file for linking the VB program and STELLA model; and (4) a Microsoft Windows Scheduled Task wizard for executing the model and displaying outputs on a computer screen at selected schedules. The DDDAS was validated using field measurements with a very good agreement prior to its applications. Results show that the real-time loads of TN (total N) and NO_x (nitrate and nitrite) varied from positive to negative with the maximums of 1727 kg/h TN and 118 kg/h NO_x and the minimums of −2483 kg/h TN and −168 kg/h NO_x at the selected site. The negative loads occurred because of the back flow of the river in the estuarine environment. Our study suggests that the DDDAS developed in this study was feasible for estimating the real-time variations of TN and NO_x in the surface water ecosystem.     

The importance of food quantity and quality for reproductive performance in alpine water pipits (Anthus spinoletta)

Studies relating reproduction to food availability are usually restricted to food quantity, but ignore food quality and the effects of habitat structure on obtaining the food. This is particularly true for insectivorous birds. In this study we relate measures of reproductive success, time of reproduction and nestling size of water pipits (Anthus spinoletta) to biomass, taxonomic composition and nutritional content of available food, and to vegetation structure and distance to feeding sites. Clutch size was positively correlated with the proportion of grass at the feeding sites, which facilitates foraging. This suggests that water pipits adapt their clutch size to environmental conditions. Also, pipits started breeding earlier and produced more fledglings when abundant food and a large proportion of grass were available, probably because these conditions allow the birds to gain more energy in less time. The number of fledglings was positively correlated with the energy content of available food. No significant relationships were found between feeding conditions and nestling size or the time that nestlings took to fledge. This suggests that water pipits do not invest more in individual nestlings when food conditions are favourable but rather start breeding earlier and produce more young. Taxonomic composition and nutritional content of prey were not correlated with any of the reproductive parameters, indicating that profitability rather than quality of food affects reproductive success. Received: 31 May 1996/Accepted: 12 August 1996     

The role of constructed wetlands in secondary effluent treatment and water reuse in subtropical and arid Australia

Water reclamation and reuse is being actively promoted in Australia. In Queensland, surface-flow constructed wetlands with a diversity of macrophyte types offer the greatest potential for effluent polishing. Constructed wetlands in subtropical climates in coastal regions and arid climates in inland western regions are conducive to high macrophyte growth rates and nutrient removal, in particular nitrogen, producing an effluent suitable for irrigation, restoration of wetlands and/or release into natural waterways. Faecal-coliform removal is also high, producing effluent with <1000 cfu/100 mL and as low as 100 cfu/100 mL, acceptable for agricultural irrigation. Constructed wetlands can be designed to maximise the removal of both nutrients and pathogens by enhancing macrophyte diversity and natural disinfection processes by incorporating lagoons, shallow-water wetlands and subsurface-flow wetlands into the treatment train. Surface-flow wetlands can also be designed to minimise mosquito breeding by increasing macro-invertebrate predators, thereby alleviating community concerns about potential health risks. This paper addresses the role of constructed wetlands in nutrient and pathogen removal in Queensland's wetlands, and presents three case studies with respect to effluent reuse.