Phytoplankton and zooplankton community structure after nutrient additions to the oligotrophic Lake Hecklan,Sweden

Lake Hecklan, in central Sweden, was fertilized with phosphorus and nitrogen during thermal stratification (late May-early Oct) 1984–1987. The nutrient additions were relatively small and raised the total phosphorus concentrations from 6 to 10 µg l^–1. The working hypothesis was that this moderate increase in the phosphorus concentration could increase the phytoplankton biomass without adverse changes in the planktonic community structure. The fertilization increased the phytoplankton biomass from 0.1 to a maximum of 2 mm³ l^–1. Chrysophyceae and Cryptophyceae dominated throughout the experimental period. Thus, the phytoplankton composition remained typical for a Swedish forest lake and provided a potential for increased zooplankton growth. An increased growth of zooplankton was indicated by increased biomass of Cladocera and Copepoda in 1984 and 1985, and by increased fecundity of herbivorous zooplankton.     

Influence of gizzard shad on phytoplankton size and primary productivity in mesocosms and earthen ponds in the southeastern U.S.

Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), a filter feeding omnivore, can consume phytoplankton, zooplankton and detritus and is a common prey fish in U.S. water bodies. Because of their feeding habits and abundance, shad have the potential to affect primary productivity (and hence water quality) directly through phytoplankton grazing and indirectly through zooplankton grazing and nutrient recycling. To test the ability of shad to influence primary productivity, we conducted a 16-day enclosure study (in 2.36-m³ mesocosms) and a 3-year whole-pond manipulation in 2–5 ha earthen ponds. In the mesocosm experiment, shad reduced zooplankton density and indirectly enhanced chlorophyll a concentration, primary productivity, and photosynthetic efficiency (assimilation number). While shad did not affect total phytoplankton density in the mesocosms, the density of large phytoplankton was directly reduced with shad. Results from the pond study were not consistent as predicted. There were few changes in the zooplankton and phytoplankton communities in ponds with versus ponds without gizzard shad. One apparent difference from systems in which previous work had been conducted was the presence of high densities of a potential competitor (i.e., larval bluegill) in our ponds. We suggest that the presence of these extremely high larval bluegill densities (20–350 larval bluegill m^–3; 3–700 times higher density than that of larval gizzard shad) led to the lack of differences between ponds with versus ponds without gizzard shad. That is, the influence of gizzard shad on zooplankton or phytoplankton was less than the influence of abundant bluegill larvae. Differences in systems across regions must be incorporated into our understanding of factors affecting trophic interactions in aquatic systems if we are to be able to manage these systems for both water quality and fisheries.     

Plankton and hydrochemistry of Lake Futalaufquen (Patagonia,Argentina) during the growing season

Plankton communities and hydrochemistry of an oligotrophic lake occupying a glacial valley in Argentinian Patagonia (42 °49S; 71 °43W) were studied. Monthly samples at three stations integrated from 0 to 50 m and stratified samples at the site of maximum depth, were taken during the growing season. Transparency was always controlled by glacial silt, and not by phytoplankton. Lake water belongs to the calcium-bicarbonate type, with low conductivity (24 µS cm^–1), and poor buffering capacity. Forty-five phytoplankton taxa were found. Mean phytoplankton density was 49 cells ml^–1 and mean biomass 69 µg l^–1. N:P relationships, inorganic nitrogen exhaustion in the photic layer, and correlations between nutrients and phytoplankton density suggests nitrogen as the main limiting factor. Fifteen zooplankton species were found. Mean zooplankton density was 12.2 ind. l^–1 and mean biomass 22.9 µg l^–1. Diatoms and Boeckellidae were the dominant planktonic groups. Morphometry and hydrological factors were responsible for horizontal heterogeneity in phytoplankton and chemical variables.     

Grazing effects of a freshwater bivalve (Corbicula leana Prime) and large zooplankton on phytoplankton communities in two Korean lakes

This study examined the effects of a freshwater filter feeding bivalve (Corbicula leana Prime) and large zooplankton (>200 μm, mostly cladocerans and copepods) on the phytoplankton communities in two lakes with contrasting trophic conditions. A controlled experiment was conducted with four treatments (control, zooplankton addition, mussel addition, and both zooplankton and mussel addition), and each established in duplicate 10-l chambers. In both lakes there were significant effects of mussel grazing on phytoplankton density and biomass. The effects were greater in mesotrophic Lake Soyang than in hypertrophic Lake Ilgam. Effects of zooplankton grazing did not differ between these lakes, and zooplankton effects on phytoplankton were much less than the effects of mussels. Although mussels exerted a varying effect on phytoplankton according to their size, mussels reduced densities of almost all phytoplankton taxa. Total mean filtering rate (FR) of mussels in Lake Soyang was significantly greater than that in Lake Ilgam (p=0.002, n=5). Carbon fluxes from phytoplankton to mussels (977–2,379 μgC l^?1d^?1) and to zooplankton (76–264 μgC l^?1 d^?1) were always greater in Lake Ilgam due to the greater phytoplankton biomass (p<0.01, n=6). Based on the C-flux to biomass ratios, the mussels consumed 170–754% (avg. 412%) of phytoplankton standing stock in Lake Soyang, and 38–164% (avg. 106%) in Lake Ilgam per day. The C-flux to biomass ratio for mussels within each lake was much greater than for large zooplankton. Mussels reduced total phosphorus concentration by 5–34%, while increasing phosphate by 30–55% relative to the control. Total nitrogen also was reduced (by 9–25%), but there was no noticeable change in nitrate among treatments. The high consumption rate of phytoplankton by Corbicula leana even in a very eutrophic lake suggests that this mussel could affect planktonic and benthic food web structure and function by preferential feeding on small seston and by nutrient recycling. Control of mussel biomass therefore might be an effective tool for management of water quality in shallow eutrophic lakes and reservoirs in Korea.     

Nutrient regeneration by zooplankton: effects on nutrient limitation of phytoplankton in a eutrophic lake

We tested the hypothesis that excretion of nutrients by zooplanktoncan reduce the severity of nutrient limitation of phytoplankton,and determine whether the phytoplankton community is limitedby nitrogen or phosphorus. In situ experiments were conductedin eutrophic Lake Mendota (Wisconsin, USA) during the summerof 1988, where phytoplankton were limited by N and P, but periodsof nutrient limitation were transitory Increased zooplanktonbiomass and the consequent increased excretion of nutrientsby zooplankton reduced P limitation (as measured by specificalkaline phosphatase activity) in all experiments Excretionof nutrients also reduced N limitation (as measured by ammoniumenhancement response) in one of three experiments. In additionalexperiments in the more highly eutrophic Lake Wingra, excretionof nutrients by zooplankton reduced both N and P limitationThese results support the hypothesis that zooplankton have potentiallyimportant indirect effects on phytoplankton communities throughrecycling of nutrients     

Predator-induced bottom-up effects in oligotrophic systems

Five treatments (replication n=2) were applied to mesocosms in an oligotrophic lake (TP=6–10 µg 1^-1) to assess the effects of fish on planktonic communities. The treatments were: (1) high fish (30 kg ha^–1 Lepomis auritus, Linnaeus), (2) low fish (10 kg ha^–1), (3) high removal of zooplankton, (4) low removal of zooplankton and (5) control. Total phosphorus, chlorophyll a, zooplankton biomass, and species richness decreased from high fish > low fish > control > low removal > high removal treatments. The fish treatments were dominated by crustacean zooplankton, while rotifers outnumbered the other zooplankters in the removal treatments. Calculations of zooplankton grazing rates suggested that clearance rates seldom exceeded 2% of the enclosure volume d^–1 and were unlikely to have had much influence on phytoplankton biomass. Calculations from a phosphorus bioenergetics model revealed that when fish were present, their excretion rates were higher than the rates ascribed to zooplankton. Diet analysis showed that the fish derived most of their energy from the benthos and periphyton, and that fish excretion and egestion made significant contributions to the very oligotrophic pelagic phosphorus pool. In the absence of fish, zooplankton excretion was highest in the control treatments and lowest in the zooplankton removal treatments. Our results suggest that in oligotrophic systems, planktivorous fish can be significant sources of phosphorus and that fish and zooplankton induced nutrient cycling have significant impacts on planktonic community structure.     

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

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

Some ecological aspects of Lake Qarun,Fayoum, Egypt. Part II. Production of plankton and benthic organisms

Distribution and abundance of phyto-, zooplankton and benthic organisms in Lake Qarun were investigated during the period from January 1974 to December 1977.Average number of phytoplankton cells was 152,300 cells/L and its biomass was 0.365 g/C/m³; average number of zooplankton was 31.44 × 10³/m³ and its biomass was 194.19 mg/m³. The average number of benthic fauna was 19889/m² and its biomass was 400.22 g/m² (dry wt.). Therefore, Lake Qarun may be considered as a highly eutrophic body of water.Freshwater planktonic species, that used to inhabit the lake, such as Diaptomus salinus and the cladoceran Moina salinarum, disappeared completely when the salinity of the lake water reached 30–34 However, some Rotatoria were able to withstand the high salinity. The new composition of the zooplankton community shows that the marine zooplankton species include not only Acartia latisetosa and Cirripedia nauplii, but also other species such as Polychaeta, Obelia medusae, etc.The benthos of Lake Qarun is characterised by an intensive growth of few species. The major part (i.e. 93.54% by weight) of bottom fauna in the lake is Mollusca, mainly Cerastoderma glaucum (69·84% by weight).     

Recent changes in the contributions of river Rhine and North Sea to the eutrophication of the western Dutch Wadden Sea

From 1955 to the mid 1980s the loads of both nitrogen and phosphorus from the river Rhine to the Dutch coastal area, the Wadden Sea included, increased. Since 1985 the phosphorus loads has decreased significantly, while the nitrogen load remained about the same.Annual primary production in the western Dutch Wadden Sea has increased fromc. 40 g C m^–2 (1950) to 150 (mid 1960s) and over 500 g C m^–2 (1986). The biomass of macrozoobenthos has more than doubled since 1970. Simultaneously, the meat yield of cultured blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), has increased since the 1960s. Previously, it was indicated that the increase in primary production of the phytoplankton over the period 1950 to 1986 was stimulated by the load of dissolved inorganic phosphate from Lake IJssel, a reservoir supplied by Rhine water. Since 1990, however, primary production has been higher than was expected from decreased phosphate loads from Lake IJssel. It is argued that this lack of response may have been caused by increased concentrations of dissolved inorganic phosphate at sea originating from increased inflow from a.o. the Strait of Dover, which compensate for the decrease in phosphate from the rivers, possibly in combination with a significant improvement of the light conditions of the water in the Wadden Sea.     

Carbon,phosphorus and nitrogen budgets of the littoral Equisetum belt in an oligotrophic lake

Stores and flows of carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen in a littoral Equisetum stand were studied in 1978–1980 in the oligotrophic, mesohumic lake Pääjärvi, southern Finland. The major carbon and nutrient stores were sediment and Equisetum. The seasonal cycle of the macrophyte vegetation had a profound influence on the whole littoral ecosystem. In spring, when only dead remains of Equisetum were present above ground, there were few differences in nutrient, chlorophyll a and zooplankton concentrations between the littoral and the open lake; phytoplankton and epiphytes were the major producers.In early June, when new shoots of Equisetum reached the water surface, water exchange between the littoral and the open lake started to diminish, and the characteristic features of a closed macrophyte zone gradually developed: by August the P, Chl a and zooplankton concentrations in the littoral were 5–10 times those in the open lake. From late June until autumn Equisetum was overwhelmingly dominant both in biomass and in production.The measured total primary production and respiration values indicated a high rate of internal cycling of carbon and nutrients. The daily P requirements of plant growth exceeded the total P stored in the water by a factor of 2–4, and also exceeded the release of nutrients in excretion. High N:P ratios in the water (total 10–64, inorganic 18–171) suggested that P was probably always the limiting nutrient.The P content of the annual production of Equisetum in Pääjärvi was 2.3% of the mean annual P load, and 5.3% of the mean total P storage in the water volume of the lake.     

Interactions between sediment and water in a shallow and hypertrophic lake: a study on phytoplankton collapses in Lake Søbygård,Denmark

Short-term changes in phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass have occurred 1–3 times every summer for the past 5 years in the shallow and hypertrophic Lake Søbygård, Denmark. These changes markedly affected lake water characteristics as well as the sediment/water interaction. Thus during a collapse of the phytoplankton biomass in 1985, lasting for about 2 weeks, the lake water became almost anoxic, followed by rapid increase in nitrogen and phosphorus at rates of 100–400 mg N M^–2 day^–1 and 100–200 mg P m^–1 day^–1. Average external loading during this period was about 350 mg N m^–2 day^–1 and 5 mg P m^–2 day^–1, respectively.Due to high phytoplankton biomass and subsequently a high sedimentation and recycling of nutrients, gross release rates of phosphorus and nitrogen were several times higher than net release rates. The net summer sediment release of phosphorus was usually about 40 mg P m^–2 day^–1, corresponding to a 2–3 fold increase in the net phosphorus release during the collapse. The nitrogen and phosphorus increase during the collapse is considered to be due primarily to a decreased sedimentation because of low algal biomass. The nutrient interactions between sediment and lake water during phytoplankton collapse, therefore, were changed from being dominated by both a large input and a large sedimentation of nutrients to a dominance of only a large input. Nitrogen was derived from both the inlet and sediment, whereas phosphorus was preferentially derived from the sediment. Different temperature levels may be a main reason for the different release rates from year to year.     

Seasonal changes of C:P ratios of seston, bacteria, phytoplankton and zooplankton in a deep, mesotrophic lake

• 1 The C:P ratios of seston, bacteria, phytoplankton and zooplankton were measured twice a week in situ in mesotrophic, large and deep Lake Constance from April to December 1995. Except for zooplankton, a strong seasonality was exhibited with low C:P ratios during P‐enriched early spring conditions and high values during P‐depleted summer conditions.
• 2 Molar C:P ratios of seston varied between 180:1 and 460:1 demonstrating moderate phosphorus limitation in spring and during the clear‐water phase, and strong limitation for the rest of the season. The sestonic C:P ratio increased significantly during two decades of re‐oligotrophication of Lake Constance, reflecting an enhanced phosphorus limitation of the plankton community in summer. Molar C:P ratios of bacteria and phytoplankton varied seasonally between 50:1 and 130:1 and 180:1 and 500:1, respectively, and indicate carbon or light limitation in winter and phosphorus limitation in summer. Zooplankton had a molar C:P ratio of about 124:115 which was nearly constant throughout the seasons.
• 3 These differences in the C:P ratios of planktonic organisms have direct implications for phosphorus recycling within the food web as C:P ratios of excreta should be highly variable.

     

The phosphorus economy of a hypertrophic seepage lake in Scania,south Sweden groundwater influence

The phosphorus dynamics and economy of Lake Bysjön, a hypertrophic seepage lake in Scania, southern Sweden, were investigated during 1973–1977. The mean dissolved inorganic phosphorus concentration (1973–1977) was 580 µg · l^–1. There were no correlations between dissolved inorganic P, total organic P, dissolved organic P, particulate P and phytoplankton biomass. Groundwater inflow and lake water outflow through the ground are the most important factors for maintaining a constant water volume. Groundwater seepage is also important for water quality. Groundwater inflow, together with planktonic activity, keeps the P concentration high in the lake water.     

Control of phosphorus loading and flushing as restoration methods for Lake Veluwe,The Netherlands

As a result of high nutrient loading Lake Veluwe suffered from an almost permanent bloom of the blue-green algaOscillatoria agardhii Gomont. In 1979, the phosphorus loading of the lake was reduced from approx. 3 to 1 g P.m^–2.a^–1. Moreover, since then the lake has been flushed during winter periods with water low in phosphorus. This measure aimed primarily at interrupting the continuous algal bloom. The results of these measures show a sharp decline of total-phosphorus values from 0.40–0.60 mg P.l^–1 (before 1980) to 0.10–0.20 mg P.l^–1 (after 1980). Summer values for chlorophylla dropped from 200–400 mg.m^–3 to 50–150 mg.m^–3.The increase in transparency of the lake water was relatively small, from summer values of 15–25 cm before the implementation of the measures to 25–45 cm afterwards. The disappointing transparency values may be explained by the decreasing chlorophylla and phosphorus content of the algae per unit biovolume. Blue-green algae are gradually loosing ground. In the summer of 1985 green algae and diatoms dominated the phytoplankton for the first time since almost 20 years. To achieve the ultimate water quality objectives (transparency values of more than 100 cm in summer), the phosphorus loading has to be reduced further.     

Nitrogen limitation and particulate elemental ratios of seston in hypersaline Mono Lake, California, U.S.A.

Particulate elemental ratios (C:N, N:P and C:Chl a) of seston in hypersaline (70–90 g kg^–1) Mono Lake, California, were examined over an 11-year period (1990–2000) which included the onset and persistence of a 5-year period of persistent chemical stratification. Following the onset of meromixis in mid-1995, phytoplankton and dissolved inorganic nitrogen were substantially reduced with the absence of a winter period of holomixis. C:N, N:P and C:Chl a ratios ranged from 5 to 18 mol mol^–1, 2 to 19 mol mol^–1 and 25 to 150 g g^–1, respectively, and had regular seasonal patterns. Deviations from those expected of nutrient-replete phytoplankton indicated strong nutrient limitation in the summer and roughly balanced growth during the winter prior to the onset of meromixis. Following the onset of meromixis, winter ratios were also indicative of modest nutrient limitation. A 3-year trend in C:N and N:P ratios toward more balanced growth beginning in 1998 suggest the impacts of meromixis weakened due to increased upward fluxes of ammonium associated with weakening stratification and entrainment of ammonium-rich monimolimnetic water. A series of nutrient enrichment experiments with natural assemblages of Mono Lake phytoplankton conducted during the onset of a previous episode of meromixis (1982–1986) confirm the nitrogen will limit phytoplankton before phosphorus or other micronutrients. Particulate ratios of a summer natural assemblage of phytoplankton collected under nitrogen-depleted conditions measured initially, following enrichment, and then after return to a nitrogen-depleted condition followed those expected based on Redfield ratios and laboratory studies.     

Fluctuation of the zooplankton community in Lake Biwa during the 20th century: a paleolimnological analysis

Detailed zooplankton records from a 26-cm sediment core with a time resolution of approximately 3–10 years were obtained from Lake Biwa, Japan, to examine the historical variations in the zooplankton community during the 20th century. In the sediments, selected zooplankton remains have fluctuated over the years. Daphnia – large zooplankton herbivores – did not occur from 1900 to 1920, and formed a very minor component of the zooplankton community in the following 30 years, while Bosmina – small zooplankton herbivores – were common during this period. In the mid-1960s, however, when eutrophication was noticeable in this lake, Daphnia numbers increased dramatically and became the dominant zooplankton thereafter. In contrast, Difflugia brevicolla and D. biwae, two amoeboid protozoans that live in connection with the lake bottom environment, occurred abundantly until the late 1950s, but gradually decreased after the mid-1960s. In particular, D. biwae, a species peculiar to this lake, was not found in sediment dated after 1980, suggesting its extinction. These results indicate that the zooplankton community structure changed greatly in the 1960s, and suggest that the eutrophication occurring at this time altered the relative strength of top-down and bottom-up forces on the zooplankton community in Lake Biwa.     

Impacts of environmental scenarios on chlorophyll-a in the management of shallow, eutrophic lakes following biomanipulation: An application of a numerical model

Accurate prediction of species changes in lake ecosystems following biomanipulation measures is of paramount importance in view of water quality management. The temporal variation of phytoplankton biomass as chlorophyll-a and transparency as Secchi depth measurements are studied in the Lake Bleiswijkse Zoom, The Netherlands, with a comprehensive structural dynamic model. In the formulation of the biological model, phytoplankton as several species, zooplankton, detritus, planktivores and benthivores, and piscivores are considered to be major contributing state variables for the model. The primary goal of this paper is to describe the possible impacts of several environmental scenarios on chlorophyll-a biomass qualitatively as it would help lake and environmental managers and relevant authorities elucidate the processes of eutrophication and biomanipulation in a broad way. Some of the scenarios that have been studied by this model are: (1) The effect of fixed stoichiometry in terms of internal nitrogen and phosphorus that are tied up within algal cells; (2) the effects of external phosphorus limitation; (3) light limitation and external nitrogen limitation on algal growth; (4) probable consequences that have taken place within the chlorophyll-a biomass due to change in biomasses of various aquatic organisms; and (5) possible changes of chlorophyll-a biomass due to higher temperatures caused by global warming.     

The role of zooplankton grazing in the formation of `clear water phase' in a shallow charophyte-dominated lake

In Chara-dominated shallow eutrophic Lake Prossa (Estonia), the collapse of spring phytoplankton community occurred in late May after which both primary production (PP) and phytoplankton biomass (B&pinf;) stayed at a very low level. By mid-June the Secchi depth had increased up to 2.6 m indicating the achievement of the `clear water phase', which persisted thoughout the rest of the vegetation period. The biomass of `edible' phytoplankton formed on average 53% of the total phytoplankton biomass, and the share of herbivorous zooplankton was on average 61% of the total zooplankton biomass. In spring zooplankton removed daily 27% of the total B&pinf; and 29% of PP by grazing while in summer these values rarely exceeded 5%. Zooplankton grazing was responsible for the decrease of `edible' (<31 μm) phytoplankton after its spring peak as well as for maintaining its biomass at a very low level during the whole vegetation period. Depletion of mineral forms of nitrogen and phosphorus that occurred most probably because of the development of charophytes by the end of May supported the collapse of the whole phytoplankton community and kept the water clear throughout the summer and autumn.

     

Grazer control and nutrient limitation of phytoplankton biomass in two Australian reservoirs

1. Grazer and nutrient controls of phytoplankton biomass were tested on two reservoirs of different productivity to assess the potential for zooplankton grazing to affect chlorophyll/phosphorus regression models under Australian conditions. Experiments with zooplankton and nutrients manipulated in enclosures, laboratory feeding trials, and the analysis of in-lake plankton time series were performed. 2. Enclosures with water from the more productive Lake Hume (chlorophyll a = 3–17.5 μg l^–1), revealed significant zooplankton effects on chlorophyll a in 3/6, phosphorus limitation in 4/6 and nitrogen limitation in 1/6 of experiments conducted throughout the year. Enclosures with water from the less productive Lake Dartmouth (chlorophyll a = 0.8–3.5 μg l^–1), revealed significant zooplankton effects in 5/6, phosphorus limitation in 5/6 and nitrogen limitation in 2/6 of experiments. 3. While Lake Hume enclosure manipulations of the biomass of cladocerans (Daphnia and Diaphanosoma) and large copepods (Boeckella) had negative effects, small copepods (Mesocyclops and Calamoecia) could have positive effects on chlorophyll a. 4. In Lake Hume, total phytoplankton biovolume was negatively correlated with cladoceran biomass, positively with copepod biomass and was uncorrelated with total crustacean biomass. In Lake Dartmouth, total phytoplankton biovolume was negatively correlated with cladoceran biomass, copepod biomass and total crustacean biomass. 5. In both reservoirs, temporal variation in the biomass of Daphnia carinata alone could explain more than 50% of the observed variance in total phytoplankton biovolume. 6. During a period of low phytoplankton biovolume in Lake Hume in spring–summer 1993–94, a conservative estimate of cladoceran community grazing reached a maximum of 0.80 day^–1, suggesting that Cladocera made an important contribution to the development of the observed clear-water phase. 7. Enclosure experiments predicted significant grazing when the Cladocera/Phytoplankton biomass ratio was greater than 0.1; this threshold was consistently exceeded during clear water phase in Lake Hume. 8. Crustacean length had a significant effect on individual grazing rates in bottle experiments, with large Daphnia having highest rates. In both reservoirs, mean crustacean length was negatively correlated with phytoplankton biovolume. The observed upper limit of its variation was nearly twice as high compared to other world lakes.     

Controlling factors of spring–summer phytoplankton succession in Lake Taihu (Meiliang Bay,China)

The spring–summer successions of phytoplankton and crustacean zooplankton were examined weekly in Meiliang Bay of the subtropical Lake Taihu in 2004 and 2005. During the study period, the ecosystem of Meiliang Bay was characterized by (i) clearly declined nitrogen compounds (nitrate, TN, and ammonium) and slowly increased phosphorus compounds (TP and SRP), (ii) increased total phytoplankton density and rapid replacement of chlorophyta (mainly Ulothrix) by cyanobacteria (mainly Microcystis), and (iii) rapid replacement of large-sized crustaceans (Daphnia and Moina) by small-sized ones (Bosmina, Limnoithona, and Ceriodaphnia). Results from the CCA and correlation analysis indicate that the spring-summer phytoplankton succession was primarily controlled by abiotic factors. Cyanobacteria were mainly promoted by increased temperature and decreased concentrations of nitrogen compounds. The pure contribution of crustacean was low for the variation of phytoplankton suggesting a weak top-down control by crustacean zooplankton in the subtropical Lake Taihu. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Handling editor: L. Naselli-Flores