Die überwinterungsknospen des Krausen Laichkrauts (Potamogeton crispus) als Nahrung für den H?ckerschwan (Cygnus olor) auf dem Federsee

Summary In the highly eutrophicated, shallow Lake Federsee no submersed macrophytes grew, until 1982 a waste water pipeline around the lake was put in operation. In 1983Potamogeton crispus began to colonize the lake and its abundance increased from year to year. The growth cycle, however, remained very short and the macrophyte always died off between the end of June and the middle of July, after having developed large numbers of resting buds. Simultaneous with the increasing canopies ofPotamogeton a rise of Mute Swans in summer and autumn was observed, and because of the absence ofPotamogeton and other new food plants it was suggested that at this time the bird mainly feeds on the resting buds ofPotamogeton. This was confirmed by investigation of excrements, which sometimes consisted mainly of remnants of resting buds. Therefore it is supposed that Mute Swans essentially affect the recolonization of the lake byPotamogeton crispus and by this way also slow down the reestablishment of a diverse flora and fauna.     

Effect of macrophyte community composition and nutrient enrichment on plant biomass and algal blooms

Submerged freshwater macrophytes decline with increasing eutrophication. This has consequences for ecosystem processes in shallow lakes and ponds as macrophytes can reduce algal blooms under eutrophic conditions. We hypothesize that the productivity of submerged vegetation, biomass change under eutrophication and the suppression of algal blooms may be affected by macrophyte community composition. To test our hypothesis, we established three macrophyte community types in 36 fishless experimental ponds: one dominated by the oligotrophic species Chara globularis, one dominated by the eutrophic species Potamogeton pectinatus and a diverse vegetation which became co-dominated by Elodea nuttallii and C. globularis, and we fertilized half of the ponds.The macrophyte communities produced different amounts of biomass and they responded differently to fertilization. The community dominated by Potamogeton produced the lowest overall biomass, but was not affected by nutrient addition. The communities dominated by Chara and co-dominated by Elodea and Chara produced more than four-fold the amount of biomass produced in Potamogeton communities under oligotrophic conditions, but were strongly negatively affected by nutrient addition.Phytoplankton abundance did not differ significantly among the plant community types, but showed large variation within community types. There was a significant negative relationship between spring macrophyte biomass and the probability of summer algal blooms. The occurrence of algal blooms coincided with low daphnid densities and high pH (>10).We conclude that the macrophyte community composition, characterized by the dominant species, strongly affected the amount of biomass production as well as the short-term response of the vegetation to nutrient enrichment. Macrophyte community composition had no direct effect on algal blooms, but can affect the occurrence of algal blooms indirectly as these occurred only in ponds with low (<100 g/m² DW) spring macrophyte biomass.     

Characterization of spatial scaling relationships between vegetation pattern and topography at different directions in Gurbantunggut desert,China

Vegetation striped pattern is a common feature in semiarid and arid landscapes, which is seen as mosaics including vegetated and non-vegetated patches. Identifying scales of pattern in ecological systems and referring patterns to multi-scaled processes that create them are ongoing challenges. The aim of this paper is to study the vegetation patterns and their across-scale relationships between the vegetation and anisotropic topography (W–E and N–S) in 12 transects at Gurbantunggut desert. We used wavelet-based across-scale analysis for extracting information on scales of pattern for those transect data, evaluating their inherent structure, and inferring characteristics of the processes that imposed those patterns at across scales. The results show that, in W–E direction, the scales of vegetation pattern (C. ewersmanniana is at the scale 40 m, H. ammodendron, at 35 m) correspond to the dune ridge/dune valley sequences (appearing at distance of 40 m), and vegetation on mesoscale and large scale are significant cross-scale correlation with topography on mesoscale and large scale in all W–E transects. In N–S direction, there is an irregular pattern of vegetation along the N–S irregular topography, and no unified cross-scale relationships between topography and vegetation on different scales in different transects. Moreover, cross-scale correlation analysis between topography and vegetation provides further detail on hierarchical structure and specific scales in space that strongly influenced the larger patterns. Knowledge of the cross-scale relationships between topography and vegetation could lead to better understanding and management of biological resources in that region.     

What does resilience of a clear-water state in lakes mean for the spatial heterogeneity of submersed macrophyte biovolume?

Short-term variability of spatial heterogeneity of submersed macrophyte biovolume (percent of water column occupied by vegetation) was evaluated over 3 years along a gradient of productivity in four north temperate glacial lakes in Minnesota, USA. We hypothesized we would observe the lowest among-year variability in spatial heterogeneity of biovolume in our undisturbed, moderately productive lake and high variability in our more locally disturbed productive lakes. Our analysis involved three major steps: first, we removed negative trends of biovolume across depth with non-parametric regression smoothers; second, we examined spatial pattern in residuals using variograms; finally, we compared spatial pattern of biovolume among lakes seasonally, over 3 years. Lake productivity negatively correlated with water clarity and the depth range of macrophyte growth, and positively correlated with the variability of spatial patterns. In the least disturbed moderately productive lake, vegetation grew over a large range of depths (up to 7.5 m), and spatial pattern across the littoral zone was similar for each survey. In contrast, in the more turbid, productive lakes, depth and spatial patterns of biovolume varied greatly from survey to survey. Factors that increase productivity and weaken resilience in lakes may lead to unstable spatial patterns of macrophyte biovolume.     

What does resilience of a clear-water state in lakes mean for the spatial heterogeneity of submersed macrophyte biovolume?

Short-term variability of spatial heterogeneity of submersed macrophyte biovolume (percent of water column occupied by vegetation) was evaluated over 3 years along a gradient of productivity in four north temperate glacial lakes in Minnesota, USA. We hypothesized we would observe the lowest among-year variability in spatial heterogeneity of biovolume in our undisturbed, moderately productive lake and high variability in our more locally disturbed productive lakes. Our analysis involved three major steps: first, we removed negative trends of biovolume across depth with non-parametric regression smoothers; second, we examined spatial pattern in residuals using variograms; finally, we compared spatial pattern of biovolume among lakes seasonally, over 3 years. Lake productivity negatively correlated with water clarity and the depth range of macrophyte growth, and positively correlated with the variability of spatial patterns. In the least disturbed moderately productive lake, vegetation grew over a large range of depths (up to 7.5 m), and spatial pattern across the littoral zone was similar for each survey. In contrast, in the more turbid, productive lakes, depth and spatial patterns of biovolume varied greatly from survey to survey. Factors that increase productivity and weaken resilience in lakes may lead to unstable spatial patterns of macrophyte biovolume.     

Phytoplankton as a factor in the decline of the submersed macrophyte Myriophyllum spicatum L. in Lake Wingra,Wisconsin, U.S.A.

A dramatic decline in biomass and areal coverage of the submersed macrophyte Myriophyllum spicatum in Lake Wingra, Wisconsin, USA during the mid-1970's is documented using aerial photography, vegetation surveys, and quadrat biomass sampling. Over the same period, light penetration as measured by Secchi disc transparency and extinction coefficient decreased substantially. During this period, extinction coefficient was closely correlated with chlorophyll a levels implicating phytoplankton as the major source of decreased light penetration. A growth model for M. spicatum predicts a substantial decline in macrophyte biomass when extinction coefficient is increased to the levels reported since 1977. Available data do not show whether the phytoplankton increase preceeded or followed the macrophyte decline. Nonetheless it is clear that phytoplankton growth can account for a substantial portion of the decline and that macrophyte recovery will be difficult given the phytoplankton-induced decrease in water clarity.     

保安湖—湖湾大型水生植物群落格局的研究

用地质统计学中的半方差和双对数半方差图对保安湖-湖湾(黄风口)的大型水生植物群落格局进行了研究,在不同的尺度上对群落及其主要组成种类的空间异质性进行了定量的描述。结果表明:保安湖黄风口大型水生植物群落的双对数半方差图存在线性区域,群落具有分形特征(自相似性).在不同的尺度下,群落和各组成种类空间格局具有不同的分形维数值,异质性程度存在差异。但其异质性程度不高,建议进行群落调查时,样方尺度应取520m;单一种群调查时的样方尺度取380m.       

Macrophyte‐based assessment of lakes – a contribution to the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive in Germany

The European Water Framework Directive requires ecological status classification and monitoring of surface and ground water bodies using biological indicators. To fulfill the demands of the Directive, a macrophyte‐based assessment system was developed for application on four lake site types in Germany. Biological lake site types were established using differences in characteristic macrophyte communities, reflecting ecoregion, Ca²⁺ content, mixis and morphology. Ecological status classification of lake sites is based on macrophyte abundance along 275 transects in 95 natural German lakes and the calculation of a reference index value, in some cases supplemented by submerged vegetation data. The reference index quantifies the deviation of species composition and abundance from reference conditions and classifies sites to one of the five ecological quality classes specified in the Directive. Based on an example of Lake Chiemsee, Germany, the possibilities for a wholelake assessment are discussed. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Submerged vegetation development in two shallow, eutrophic lakes

Submerged macrophyte vegetation in two shallow lakes in the Netherlands, Lake Veluwemeer and Lake Wolderwijd, has been affected by eutrophication in the late 1960's and 1970's. Recent changes in the vegetation occurred in the period following lake restoration measures. Between 1987 and 1993, the dominance of Potamogeton pectinatus decreased, while Charophyte meadows expanded over the same time interval. The pattern of change of the dominant macrophyte species might result from changes in the underwater light climate. Seasonally persistent clear water patches associated with the Chara meadows have been observed in the last few years. The interaction between submerged macrophyte vegetation succession and water transparency in the lakes is discussed.     

东太湖水生植物群落结构的演变及其沼泽化

2002年东太湖水生植被调查结果表明,沉水植被和浮叶植被是该湖水生植被的主要生态类型,分布面积分别占全湖总面积73.6%和18.3%。东太湖水生植被主要有9个群丛,其中沉水植被主要的5个群丛是伊乐藻(外来种)群丛、金鱼藻群丛、伊乐藻 微齿眼子菜群丛、菜-伊乐藻 微齿眼子菜群丛、苦草 竹叶眼子菜 黑藻群丛,其分布面积分别占东太湖植被总面积的30.7%、17.2%、16.7%、15.8%、9.3%。随着对东太湖的不断改造和资源的不断利用,20世纪60年代东太湖人工种植沼泽植被菰群丛,20世纪80年代初环湖水陆交错带被围垦而芦苇群丛消失,微齿眼子菜替代竹叶眼子菜而占据东太湖40%的水面。近10a来,东太湖网围养蟹迅速发展,占全湖总植被面积25.6%的沼泽植物——菰群丛及其占40%的微齿眼子菜群丛被清除,外来种伊乐藻和无根植物金鱼藻分布面积达90%的湖区。东太湖水生植被由20世纪50年代的原生演替到现在的次生演替,群落演变激烈,同时东太湖沼泽化进程加剧。     

Spatial variation in vegetation structure coupled to plant available water determined by two-dimensional soil resistivity profiling in a Brazilian savanna

Tropical savannas commonly exhibit large spatial heterogeneity in vegetation structure. Fine-scale patterns of soil moisture, particularly in the deeper soil layers, have not been well investigated as factors possibly influencing vegetation patterns in savannas. Here we investigate the role of soil water availability and heterogeneity related to vegetation structure in an area of the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado). Our objective was to determine whether horizontal spatial variations of soil water are coupled with patterns of vegetation structure across tens of meters. We applied a novel methodological approach to convert soil electrical resistivity measurements along three 275-m transects to volumetric water content and then to estimates of plant available water (PAW). Structural attributes of the woody vegetation, including plant position, height, basal circumference, crown dimensions, and leaf area index, were surveyed within twenty-two 100-m² plots along the same transects, where no obvious vegetation gradients had been apparent. Spatial heterogeneity was evaluated through measurements of spatial autocorrelation in both PAW and vegetation structure. Comparisons with null models suggest that plants were randomly distributed over the transect with the greatest mean PAW and lowest PAW heterogeneity, and clustered in the driest and most heterogeneous transect. Plant density was positively related with PAW in the top 4 m of soil. The density-dependent vegetation attributes that are related to plot biomass, such as sum of tree heights per plot, exhibited spatial variation patterns that were remarkably similar to spatial variation of PAW in the top 4 m of soil. For PAW below 4 m depth, mean vegetation attributes, such as mean height, were negatively correlated with PAW, suggesting greater water uptake from the deep soil by plants of larger stature. These results are consistent with PAW heterogeneity being an important structuring factor in the plant distribution at the scale of tens of meters in this ecosystem.     

Long‐term dynamics of submerged macrophytes and algae in a small and shallow,eutrophic lake: implications for the stability of macrophyte‐dominance

1. Submerged macrophyte and phytoplankton components of eutrophic, shallow lakes have frequently undergone dynamic changes in composition and abundance with important consequences for lake functioning and stability. However, because of a paucity of long‐term survey data, we know little regarding the nature, direction and sequencing of such changes over decadal–centennial or longer timescales. 2. To circumvent this problem, we analysed multiple (n = 5) chronologically correlated sediment cores for plant macro‐remains and a single core for pollen and diatoms from one small, shallow, English lake (Felbrigg Hall Lake, Norfolk, U.K.), documenting 250 years of change to macrophyte and algal communities. 3. All five cores showed broadly similar stratigraphic changes in macrophyte remains with three distinct phases of macrophyte development: Myriophyllum–Chara–Potamogeton (c. pre‐1900), to Ceratophyllum–Chara–Potamogeton (c. 1900–1960) and finally to Zannichellia–Potamogeton (c. post‐1960). Macrophyte species richness declined from at least 10 species pre‐1900 to just four species at the present day. Additionally, in the final Zannichellia–Potamogeton phase, a directional shift between epi‐benthic and phytoplankton‐based primary production was indicated by the diatom data. 4. Based on macrophyte–seasonality relationships established for the region, concomitant with the final shift to Zannichellia–Potamogeton, we infer a reduction in the seasonal duration of plant dominance (plant‐covered period). Furthermore, we hypothesise that this change in species composition resulted in a situation whereby macrophyte populations were seasonally ‘sandwiched’ between two phytoplankton peaks in spring and late summer as observed in the contemporary lake. 5. We suggest that eutrophication‐induced reductions in macrophyte species richness, especially if the number of plant‐seasonal strategies is reduced, may constrict the plant growing season. In turn, this may render a shallow lake increasingly vulnerable to seasonal invasions of phytoplankton resulting in further species losses in the plant community. Thus, as part of a slow (over perhaps 10–100s of years) and self‐perpetuating process, macrophytes may be gradually pushed out by phytoplankton without the need for a perturbation as required in the alternative stable states model of plant loss.     

Influences of light and temperature on chlorophyll composition in submersed freshwater macrophytes

In three submersed freshwater macrophyte species grown in a greenhouse over broad experimental ranges of light and water temperature, total chlorophyll (a + b) increased with decreasing irradiance and, in two of the three species, with increasing temperature. In contrast, light and temperature had only minor and inconsistent influences on chlorophyll a : b in these species.From results of this and other investigations involving experimentally-controlled light conditions, it appears that total chlorophyll in submersed macrophytes is inversely related to irradiance above photon flux densities minimally required for plant growth. However, the general applicability of this statement to the species investigated here (or others) is uncertain, because thermal gradients in macrophyte dominated littoral zones may promote gradients in macrophyte total chlorophyll with depth in a direction opposite to that expected solely in response to light.     

The habitat and conduit functions of roads in the spread of three invasive plant species

Nonnative plant species commonly occur along roadsides, and populations are often assumed to invade by spread along the road axis. To distinguish between the function of roadsides as movement corridors and as habitat, nonnative plant species were surveyed along roads in deciduous forest sites in southeastern Ohio, USA. The importance of road proximity was tested by comparing nonnative species abundance in 100 m transects along roads with transects in undisturbed forest. Nonnative species were most abundant and most frequently observed in roadside sites in valleys. Three common species were chosen for closer scrutiny. In a seed sowing experiment roads and open sites proved to be better locations for the germination and growth of Microstegium vimineum than non-roadside and closed-canopy sites. Tussilago farfara and Rosa multiflora occurred in a small number of disjunct patches suggesting infrequent arrival in the sampled transects. Both species were strongly clustered at scales consistent with diffusive spread by vegetative growth and short-range seed dispersal. Comparisons of distributions parallel and perpendicular to roads showed no evidence for enhanced dispersal along the road axis. Microstegium distributions were correlated with local light availability implying site saturation. Microstegium micro-distributions suggested that spread along the road axis was facilitated by movement of dormant seeds in road maintenance. Thus, roadsides appear to function as both habitat and a conduit for population expansion, with the rate of spread dependent on the life history of the individual species. These results suggest a hierarchical process of regional invasion, with different dispersal mechanisms functioning at different spatial scales.     

Woody riparian plant distributions in western Oregon,USA: comparing landscape and local scale factors

We studied riparian forests along mountain streams in four large watersheds of western Oregon and far northern California, USA, to better understand the multiscale controls on woody riparian vegetation in a geographically complex region. In each of the four-study watersheds, we sampled woody riparian vegetation in161-ha sampling reaches that straddled the stream channel. Within each hectare, we sampled riparian vegetation and local environmental factors in 40 m² sampling plots arrayed along topographic transects. We also surveyed natural disturbance gaps in 6 ha in each watershed to explore the effects of fine scale disturbance on species distributions. We compared species composition across our study watersheds and used Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling (NMS) and chi-squared analyses to compare the relative importance of landscape scale climate variables and local topographic and disturbance variables in explaining species distributions at sampling plot and hectare scales. We noted substantial turnover in the riparian flora across the region, with greatest numbers of unique species in watersheds at the ends of the regional gradient. In NMS ordinations at both scales, variation in woody riparian species composition showed strongest correlations with climatic variables and Rubus spectabilis cover, but the latter was only an important factor in the two northern watersheds. At the smaller scale, topographic variables were also important. Chi-squared analyses confirmed that more species showed landscape scale habitat preferences (watershed associations) than associations with topographic position (94.7% vs. 42.7% of species tested) or gap versus forest setting (94.7% vs. 24.6% of species tested). The woody riparian flora of western Oregon shows important biogeographic variation; species distributions showed strong associations with climatic variables, which were the primary correlates of compositional change between riparian sites at both scales analyzed. Additional local variation in composition was explained by measures of topography and disturbance.     

Continuous benthic community change along a depth gradient in Antarctic shallows: evidence of patchiness but not zonation

Many shallow water polar communities demonstrate considerable change along a bathymetric gradient. However, it is currently unclear whether community change is generally continuous or discrete. To determine the nature of community change with depth, extensive photographic surveys at three sites at Adelaide Island, West Antarctic Peninsula, were conducted along a bathymetric gradient of 5–35 m depth. Macroalgae were largely absent at the sites, so only distinguishable macrofauna were counted and analysed. Faunal abundance was greatest at the shallowest stations of the depth transects, whilst richness at both species and phylum level increased with depth. Variability in community structure between replicate transects decreased with depth, so that assemblages at >25 m depth were more homogenous. Depth had a highly significant effect on total abundance, species richness and community structure, and it is likely that the frequency of ice disturbance, which also decreases with depth, drives this pattern. Overall, high variability between transects at each site was recorded, which suggested considerable patchiness at the scale of tens of meters. Community change along the bathymetric gradient was continuous and no evidence of discrete zones of assemblages was recorded.     

Effects of fish nests on pattern and zonation of submersed macrophytes in a softwater lake

Nests of centrarchid fishes maintain patches of diaspore-propagated submersed aquatic plants (principally Elatine minima (Nutt.) and Isoetes braunii Dur.) between 0.9 and 2.4 m depth in a softwater oligotrophic lake. Nests are cleared of vegetation in May–June, and abandoned by fish in June. By August, many nests are colonized by diaspore-propagated species that do not spread vegetatively on horizontal stems. About 75% of the nests are reoccupied by fish the following May, and some new nests are formed. Nests not re-occupied by fish are colonized by rhizomatous plants of 4 species that have not been observed to flower or set seed in the lake. Rhizomatous plants reach frequencies near 100% by 14 months after abandonment. Pattern analyses show that patch sizes of diaspore-propagated species correspond to the size of fish nests. Conventional explanations of macrophyte zonation based on depth, exposure, and competition are insufficient in this lake; effects of disturbance must be considered as well.     

Horizontal distribution of phytoplankton as related to the spatial heterogeneity of a lake – a case study from two lakes of the Wielkopolski National Park (western Poland)

This study compares phytoplankton communities within macrophyte communities and mid-lake sites along transects in two lakes of the Wielkopolski National Park. Water samples were collected in August 1998 to characterize the phytoplankton communities at these locations and for the physical-chemical analysis of the water. There was phytocoenotic differentiation associated with the sites and the specific water properties in the two lakes, especially between the phytolittoral and mid-lake sites. In addition, there was strong negative correlation in abundance between Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Aphanizomenon issatschenkoi along the Lake Jaros?awieckie transect.     

Plant coexistence in coastal heaths: Floristic patterns and species attributes

Abstract An investigation was made of plant coexistence in coastal heaths. A 4 km stretch of Pleistocene beach sand was selected, and patterns of variation in heath vegetation on ridges and slopes in the beach system were studied. The sampling design covered variation with geographic distance among transects, plots within transects and quadrats within plots which were orthogonal to the alignment of ridges and slopes. Cover of vascular plant species was scored within each quadrat and both multivariate and univariate analyses tested the hypothesis that variation in the data was associated with environmental difference and geographic distance. There was a strong flohstic variation between the ridge and slope habitats. However, within these habitats there was no significant variation with distance at scales of kilometres, nor at hundreds of metres within transects nor at tens of metres within plots in floristic composition, in numbers of species, and in cover. Though differing floristically, the vegetation of the slopes and ridges had similar curves of importance values and fairly similar spectra of life forms and forms of post-fire regeneration in their constituent species, although the ridges had slightly more obligate-seeding species and fewer species of sedges and herbs than the slopes. The two habitats shared several genera, however, within such genera, species with similar attributes mostly occurred in different habitats. Hypotheses were suggested to explain segregation of species between the two habitats and the coexistence of species within habitats. Since patterns of variation among habitats were consistent over both smaller and larger scales of distance examined, experiments to test hypotheses may be designed so that their findings might be applied generally to the whole system studied.