Consequences of reduced nutrient loading on a lake system in a lowland catchment: deviations from the norm?

1. Lake restoration from eutrophication often rests on a simple paradigm that restriction of phosphorus sources will result in recovery of former relatively clear‐water states. This view has apparently arisen from early successful restorations of deep lakes in catchments of poorly weathered rocks. Lakes in the lowlands, however, particularly shallow ones, have proved less tractable to restoration. This study of three lowland lakes provides insights that illuminate a more complex picture. 2. The lakes lie in a sequence along a single stream in a mixed urban and rural landscape. Severely deoxygenating effluent from an overloaded sewage treatment works was diverted from the catchment in 1991. Effects on two lakes, Little Mere (z_max <2 m) and Rostherne Mere (z_max 31 m) were followed until 2002. Mere Mere (z_max = 8 m), upstream of the former works, acted as a comparison for changes in water chemistry. Mere Mere showed no change in total phosphorus (TP), total inorganic nitrogen, or planktonic chlorophyll a concentrations. Increased winter rainfall was associated with higher winter soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and ammonium concentrations in its water. 3. Little Mere changed from a deoxygenated, highly enriched, fishless system, with large populations of Daphnia magna Straus, clear water and about 40% aquatic plant cover, to a slightly less clear system following diversion. Daphnia magna was replaced by D. hyalina Leydig as fish recolonised. Spring peaks of chlorophyll a declined but summer concentrations increased significantly. Annual mean chlorophyll a concentrations thus showed no change. Submerged plants became more abundant (up to 100% cover), with fluctuating community composition from year to year. Summer release of SRP from the sediment was substantial and has not decreased since 1993. The summer phytoplankton was apparently controlled by nitrogen availability perhaps with some influence of zooplankton grazing. SRP was always very abundant. The lake appeared to have reached a quasi‐stable state by 2002. 5. Rostherne Mere showed a steady decline in TP and SRP concentrations following effluent diversion apparently as a result of steady dilution by water with lower phosphorus concentration. Decline in phosphorus concentrations was much less rapid than expected because of internal remobilisation from the hypolimnion and sediments. There have been no changes in chlorophyll a concentration or of nitrogen availability and by 2002 the phytoplankton probably remained limited by a combination of mixing, grazing and nitrogen. 6. A seeming paradox is, thus, that immense changes in phosphorus budgets have shown no consequences for phytoplankton chlorophyll concentrations in either of the lakes, although the seasonal distribution has altered in Little Mere. Although these case studies deviate from others, for both shallow and deep lakes, they represent distinctive situations rather than undermining conventional models.     

Effects of zooplankton on nutrient availability and seston C : N : P stoichiometry in inshore waters of Lake Biwa, Japan

Forty-eight-hour experimental manipulations of zooplankton biomass were performed to examine the potential effects of zooplankton on nutrient availability and phytoplankton biomass (as measured by seston concentration) and C : N : P stoichiometry in eutrophic nearshore waters of Lake Biwa, Japan. Increasing zooplankton, both mixed-species communities and Daphnia alone, consistently reduced seston concentration, indicating that nearshore phytoplankton were generally edible. The zooplankton clearance rates of inshore phytoplankton were similar to rates measured previously for offshore phytoplankton. Increased zooplankton biomass led to increased concentrations of nutrients (NH₄-N, soluble reactive phosphorus [SRP]). Net release rates were higher than those found in previous measurements made offshore, reflecting the nutrient-rich nature of inshore seston. Zooplankton nutrient recycling consistently decreased TIN : SRP ratios (TIN = NH₄ + NO₃ + NO₂). This effect probably resulted from the low N : P ratios of nearshore seston, which were lower than those commonly found in crustacean zooplankton and thus resulted in low retention efficiency of P (relative to N) by the zooplankton. Thus, zooplankton grazing inshore may ameliorate algal blooms due to direct consumption but tends to create nutrient supply conditions with low N : P, potentially favoring cyanobacteria. In comparison with previous findings for offshore, it appears that potential zooplankton effects on phytoplankton and nutrient dynamics differ qualitatively in inshore and offshore regions of Lake Biwa. Received: September 4, 2000 / Accepted: January 23, 2001     

应用多种生物类群评价白洋淀水环境质量变化

白洋淀是华北平原最大的浅水湖泊。近几十年来,白洋淀上游耗水增加,天然入淀水量急剧减少,使白洋淀水位明显降低;同时,随着淀泊周边农村生活污水的排入,白洋淀发生了严重的富营养化。2017年雄安新区设立,白洋淀环境治理工作的重要性空前提高。近几年通过上游水库和跨流域生态补水,白洋淀水位明显抬升,同时淀中和淀边农村实施了生活污水收集。为了解白洋淀当前水环境状况,对前期补水和治污的效果进行评估,2019年8月对白洋淀水体理化指标及水生生物进行调查,采用水质、浮游植物、浮游动物、底栖动物指标评价白洋淀水环境质量,并与2010年的调查数据进行对比,辅以沉水植物指标评价水体生态状况。结果表明: 白洋淀2019年总磷达到优于Ⅲ类水平,总氮优于Ⅱ类水平,水环境状况比2010年有较大改善。其中,总磷浓度下降了88.6%,总氮浓度下降了83.9%,叶绿素a浓度下降了47.8%,透明度增大了43.4%;浮游动物、底栖动物等生物多样性明显提高,浮游植物密度显著降低,优势种从普遍的重富营养型转变为富营养型;沉水植物清洁型种类分布范围缩小。这说明沉水植物物种评价法不适于白洋淀水环境质量评价,浮游动物多样性评价方法也不适用于当前白洋淀水环境质量评价。早期,由于污染源集中在西部,白洋淀西部水质差于东部;现在,由于自西、北、南多方向补水,淀区的水动力条件发生显著改变,加之西部实施治污工程,淀区水质呈现空间均一化的特点。     

Relative importance of temporal and spatial heterogeneity in the zooplankton community of an artificial reservoir

Zooplankton samples were collected monthly at three stations in Ogochi Reservoir during 1980, and the temporal and horizontal variations in the density of dominant taxa were evaluated by a standard 2-way ANOVA with random effects. The analysis revealed that horizontal is greater than temporal variation in the warm water season (> 18 °C), whereas temporal variation is greater in the cold water season (< 18 °C). Horizontal heterogeneity of the zooplankton community found in the warm water season seems to be associated with differences in site-specific conditions.     

Effects of sewage disposal into the White Nile on the plankton community

Twenty water samples and 30 plankton samples were taken from the sewage disposal site (El Lamab, south of Khartoum), from 250 m upstream and 250 m downstream during January–March, 1987 and Februar–April, 1988. The water samples were examined for physical and chemical characteristics. Plankton samples were examined for species composition and relative abundance of phytoplankton and zooplankton.At the disposal site, the sewage effluent increased conductivity, nutrients and suspended solids, elevated BOD, and depleted oxygen. The pattern of abundance in the phytoplankton was almost reversed, due to the disappearance of many diatoms, replaced by blue-green algae, and the appearance of Euglenophyceae, found only at the disposal site. Copepods dominated over cladocerans, which are usually dominant under natural conditions. Rotifers, normally less abundant, also flourished at the disposal site. However, these effects were localized: physical, chemical and biological conditions returned to normal 250 m downstream.Dept. of Zoology, Hydrobiological Research Unit, University of Khartoum     

Nitrogen and Phosphorus in a Stretch of the Guadalupe River,Texas, with Five Main-Stream Impoundments by

Nitrogen and phosphorus were studied in a 168-km stretch of the Guadalupe River that had five main-stream impoundments. Flow through the study area was controlled by releases from these five reservoirs and from Canyon Reservoir, a deep-storage reservoir, located 30 km upstream. Parameters measured monthly on a diel basis at 16 stations were nitrate nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, Kjeldahl nitrogen, inorganic phosphate phosphorus, organic phosphate phosphorus, and total phosphate phosphorus.Inorganic nitrogen concentrations observed in this study were as high or higher than that previously reported for other bodies of water. Nitrate nitrogen entered the study area in relatively high concentrations from Comal Springs which was a major source of water for the Guadalupe River. Water from Canyon Reservoir, the other major source of water, was relatively low in nitrate nitrogen. The concentration of nitrate nitrogen was, therefore, dependent in part upon the portion of the total river flow originating from the two sources. Increased discharge from Canyon Reservoir and utilization by plants in areas of high chlorophyll a resulted in low nitrate-nitrogen levels. Retention of water in reservoirs reduced the concentration of nitrate nitrogen due to increased utilization by plants in areas of low flow. Nitrate nitrogen, in general, reached seasonal minima in summer and maxima in winter. Nitrite nitrogen showed considerable variation with no meaningful pattern except that higher concentrations occurred in association with high chlorophyll a and high Kjeldahl nitrogen, regions and periods of low river flow, and large phytoplankton populations. There was no increase in concentration of any form of nitrogen in the vicinity of sewage outfalls and no downstream accrual.Phosphorus levels in the study area were as high or higher than those reported in studies of other bodies of water. Sewage treatment plants at New Braunfels and Seguin, Texas, were major sources of phosphorus to the Guadelupe River. Total phosphate phosphorus was determined to be the most critical phosphate parameter in assessing eutrophication. Seasonally, it ranged from a winter high to a summer low. Concentrations were highest immediately below sewage outfalls and decreased as water progressed downstream. Inorganic-phosphate-phosphorus concentrations showed no clear seasonal trend but were clearly associated with sewage outfalls. Since large standing crops of phytoplankton were observed in areas of low inorganic phosphate phosphorus, it was not considered to limit photosynthesis. Total organic phosphate phosphorus varied seasonally, with high concentrations occurring during the spring and low concentrations in the fall. Total organic phosphate phosphorus showed no correlation with sewage outfalls, but was correlated to a degree with total Kjeldahl nitrogen and chlorophyll a. No consistent pattern of diel fluctuations was evident for any phosphorus or nitrogen compounds analyzed.     

The longitudinal distribution of copepods in Corumbá Reservoir,State of Goiás,Brazil

The assessment of factors that determine the spatial distribution of zooplankton abundance is a central issue in zooplankton ecology. Since these factors are, in the most cases, spatially autocorrelated, especially in reservoirs, it is frequently difficult to isolate the primary causes that explain the variation in zooplankton abundance. In this paper, the spatial variation of copepods in Corumbá Reservoir (Goiás, Brazil) was studied. Sets of variables were used to model copepod abundance variation: limnology (abiotic variables), phytoplankton and spatial position of sampling sites. The copepod assemblage was composed of Thermocyclops minutus, Thermocyclops decipiens, Mesocyclops longisetus and Notodiaptomus iheringi. Along the reservoir's main axis, abundance increases, albeit not linearly, towards the lacustrine zone. High abundance, similar to that found in the lacustrine region, was also observed in the lateral arms. These patterns were very similar for different years and seasons. Copepods were significantly correlated with phytoplankton and geography. After controlling for the effect of space, the relationship between copepods and phytoplankton was not significant (partial Mantel test). This result indicates that hydrology is the primary process that controls not only the abundance of copepods, but also limnological features and food resources, which are commonly used to explain variations in zooplankton abundance.     

三门湾浮游动物的季节变动及微型浮游动物摄食影响

2002年8月、11月、2003年2月和5月,在三门湾进行了4个航次生物、化学和水文等专业综合调查。根据采集的浮游动物样品的分析鉴定及海上现场实验结果,对浮游动物的群落组成、生物量、丰度、多样性指数的分布和季节变动及其浮游动物对浮游植物的摄食影响进行研究。结果表明,三门湾浮游动物有67属,89种,16类浮游幼体,主要可划分为4个生态类群：以近岸低盐类群为主,其优势种为中华哲水蚤Calanus sinicus、真刺唇角水蚤Labidocera etwhaeta、捷氏歪水蚤Tortanus derjugini、太平洋纺锤水蚤Acartiapacifica、中华假磷虾Pseudeuphausia sinica和百陶箭虫Sagitta bedoti等。半咸水河口类群、暖水性外海类群和广布种相对较少。浮游动物生物量和丰度的平面分布趋势除了夏季有所差异外,其它季节基本一致。2月份和5月份,浮游动物生物量和丰度,从湾顶向湾口呈逐渐增加趋势;8月份,湾口区生物量最高,而丰度高值区出现在湾顶部;11月份,生物量和丰度的平面分布相对均匀。浮游动物种类多样性指数有明显的季节变化,其动态变化与浮游动物种数和丰度的变化一致。微型浮游动物对浮游植物存在摄食压力,且有季节变化,摄食率的变化在0．18．0．68d^-1,微型浮游动物的摄食率低于相同季节的浮游植物生长率。微型浮游动物对浮游植物摄食压力的变化范围为16．1％-49．1％d^-1,对初级生产力摄食压力的变化在58．3％-83．6％d^-1。11月份,微型浮游动物对浮游植物和初级生产力的摄食压力均出现最高值。     

Some effects of organic pollution on the distribution and seasonal incidence of Chironomidae in riffles in the River Cole

SUMMARY. The effects of a sewage effluent discharge into the River Cole, Birmingham, were determined by regular collections of water and biological samples from six comparable stations, one above and five below the sewage effluent. The effluent reduced the dissolved oxygen concentration and increased the ammonia, orthophosphate and BOD concentrations in the water. The effects were much more severe during the summer.
The Chironomidae were very important constituents of the benthic macroinvertebrate community at the stations downstream of the effluent. Larval densities of over 30,000 m⁻² were recorded. Eleven species were common and of these Chironomus riparius was the most tolerant. There was considerable variation in the seasonal incidence of the different species. Brillia longifurca was most abundant in the spring while Cricotopus bicinctus was most abundant in the summer. Brillia longifurca, Paratrichocladius rufiventris, Prodiamesa olivacea, Micropsectra atrofasciata and Eukiefferiella claripennis had three peaks in numbers of larvae during the year.
The increase in the polluted state of the river in the summer resulted in changes in the chironomid populations. Some were suppressed, e.g. E. claripennis , while C. riparius extended its range and achieved maximum abundance further downstream during the summer.     

Correlations between nutrient concentrations and zooplankton populations in a mesotrophic reservoir

1. A year-round study was conducted in a mesotrophic reservoir to determine the dynamics of zooplankton populations as a function of food availability (edible phytoplankton), nutrient concentration, temperature and hydraulic regime.
2. Rotifer biomass was correlated with soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentration. The abundance of the rotifers Keratella cochlearis and Anuraeopsis fissa were not correlated with food availability (measured by chlorophyll and cell counts) but showed a strong dependence on P availability. Another rotifer, Synchaeta oblonga , and crustacean species were not related to nutrient availability but seemed to be dependent on food concentrations, especially of some phytoplankton taxa.
3. In this field study, rotifers seemed more susceptible than Daphnia or copepods to P-limitation. Among rotifer species, Keratella seemed to be more susceptible than Anuraeopsis to P limitation. Different susceptibilities of zooplankton species to nutrient limitation may be important in explaining the dynamics of these organisms in natural situations. Further analyses are warranted to clarify the interactions between nutrient limitation and energy limitation among zooplankton.     

罗非鱼对微型生态系统营养物水平的影响

本文总结了罗非鱼不同放养密度的微型生态系统中N、P浓度及P分布动态观测结果。在罗非鱼的影响下,微型生态系统中氨氮、颗粒磷和总磷浓度不同程度地高于对照组,而正磷酸盐浓度和沉积物磷的量显著地低于对照组。不同密度组某些指标的观测值虽有显著差异,但未见任何指标依罗非鱼放养密度而有规律地变动。微型生态系统中正磷酸盐浓度同浮游动、植物密度和初级生产力显著相关,氨氮浓度与浮游植物密度之间亦有显著的相关关系。然而,浮游植物密度与总磷浓度之间不存在营养级联假说所预见的下行影响,相反有前者决定于后者的上行影响的趋向。微型生态系统中P分布的变化可揭示罗非鱼促进系统中营养物循环,从而加速其富营养化的主要机制。     

太原汾河蓄水区浮游植物细胞密度及其与营养元素的关系

水体营养元素是影响水体生态系统的重要因素,决定着水体中不同的浮游生物群落结构,也是评价水质和水体营养状态的重要指标。对太原汾河蓄水区9个样点浮游植物和各项水环境及营养元素进行了调查与分析,调查期间发现(1)该流域蓝藻和绿藻为主要优势类群,即构成了以蓝-绿藻门为主要的浮游群落。平水期与丰水期优势种均以蓝藻门的微小色球藻(Chroococcus minutus)、微小平裂藻(Merismopedia tenuissima)、小颤藻(Oscillatoria tenuis)、铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)为主,其丰度分别占平水期和丰水期藻细胞总数的42.95%和59.24%。叶绿素a含量随地理位置变化明显,中下游显著高于上游。(2)太原汾河蓄水区水质均达到富营养状态。由于太原汾河蓄水区沿途的生活垃圾、污水的不合理排放,导致汾河中总氮、总磷等指标偏高,最终导致整个水体处于轻度富营养状态或中度富营养状态。(3)叶绿素a含量与水温、总氮、总磷呈显著正相关,与有机物含量呈极显著正相关,总磷的影响最为明显,说明磷可能是该地区浮游植物生长的限制因子。     

Dredging effects on P status and phytoplankton density and composition during winter and spring in Lake Taihu, China

Phytoplankton density and composition, together with phosphorus (P) concentrations and size-fractionated alkaline phosphatase activity (APA), were investigated in dredged and undredged zones in Lake Taihu from January to April 2004. P concentrations were also determined in the corresponding interstitial water. Enzyme Labeled Fluorescence (ELF) was used for localizing extracellular phosphatase on phytoplankton cell membranes in April. The increase in phytoplankton density was paralleled by a significant increase in soluble reactive P (SRP) concentrations in the water column and interstitial water at all sites from January to April, with chlorophyte gradually becoming dominant. In February, at the undredged site, more algae dominated by chlorophyte occurred in overlying water, rather than in the surface, coinciding with higher SRP concentrations in overlying and interstitial water. Therefore, P status in the bottom is important to phytoplankton development in terms of density and composition. Undredged sites had higher SRP concentrations in interstitial water than dredged sites. Furthermore, Higher APA was observed, accompanied by higher dissolved organic P (DOP) and lower total P at the undredged site in February. Enzymatic hydrolysis of DOP may have been an additional source of P for phytoplankton. In April, Schroederia sp. was ELF labeled in surface water at the dredged site, which showed markedly lower SRP concentration, but not at the undredged site with higher SRP concentration. Thus, the dredging might regulate algal density and composition in water column by reducing P bioavailability.     

Seasonal dynamics and grazing rate of zooplankton in Yueqing Bay,China

The species composition,biomass,abundance,and species diversity of zooplankton were determined for samples collected from August 2002 to May 2003 from 14 stations in Yueqing Bay,China.Phytoplankton growth rate and microzooplankton grazing rate were obtained by using the dilution method developed by Landry and Hassett.The spatial and temporal variations of zooplankton and its relationship with environmental factors were also analyzed.The results showed that the zooplankton in the Yueqing Bay could be divided into four ecotypes,namely coastal low saline species,estuary brackish water species,offshore warm water species,and eurytopic species.A total of 75 species of zooplankton belonging to 56 genera and 17 groups of pelagic larva were identified in the Yueqing Bay.The coastal low saline species was the dominant ecotype in the study area,and the dominant species were Labidocera euchaeta,Acartia pacifica,Acrocalanus gibber,Pseudeuphausia sinica,and Sagitta bedoti among others.There was considerable seasonal variation in zooplankton biomass and abundance in the surveyed areas.The peak biomass appeared in August,descending in November and in May,and the lowest biomass appeared in February.Similarly,the highest abundance of zooplankton was observed in August,with the abundance descending in the following months:May,November,and February.There were similar horizontal distribution patterns for the biomass and the abundance of zooplankton.They both increased from the upper to the lower bay in February and May,but decreased from the upper to the lower bay in August.Biomass and abundance were evenly distributed in the Yueqing Bay in November.Moreover,there was marked seasonal variation in the species diversity of zooplankton,which conformed to the abundance of zooplankton.Results of the dilution experiments indicated that there was grazing pressure of microzooplankton on phytoplankton in the Yueqing Bay throughout the year though the rate of microzooplankton grazing on phytoplankton varied seasonally.Phytoplanktons were growing at 0.26-2.07/d and grazed by microzooplankton at a rate of 0.15--0.48/d in different seasons.     

The effects of flood pulse on multiple aquatic organisms in a seasonal shallow lake

Different aquatic organisms have different reactions to environmental variations due to their different ways of reaction traits. Understanding the effect of hydrological disturbance on lake from the perspective of multiple aquatic organisms is important for lake management. Poyang Lake (PYL) experiences severe hydrological disturbance under the effects of flood pulse during the rainy season. In this study, we analyzed the responses of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and macroinvertebrates to hydrological disturbance during the rainy season in PYL. Flood pulse determined the spatial variation in turbidity (Turb), transparency (Trans), dissolved oxygen (DO), total phosphorus (TP), and soluble reactive phosphorus. Physical factors (Turb, Trans, conductivity) explained phytoplankton (9.6%) and zooplankton (15%) community variation, and the combination of physical and nutrient factors explained macroinvertebrate (3.8%) community variation. Cyclotella sp., Attheya zachariasi, and Melosira ambigua were the keystone taxa of phytoplankton, and these taxa were driven by Turb and Trans. Brachionus angularia, Polyarthra vulgaris, Filinia longiseta, and Diffugia globulosa were the keystone taxa of zooplankton and entire aquatic organisms, which contributed a lot to maintain the biological community stability possibly through the food web. These keystone taxa were stimulated by high Trans, DO, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrate (NO₃^?). We found habitat conditions (Turb, Trans and DO) were the prominent factors influencing the aquatic organism structure in strong hydrological disturbance environment. For the keystone taxa, both habitat conditions (i.e., DO) and exogenous nutrient inputs (i.e., DOC and NO₃^?) caused significant effect. This study provides new insights into the holistic response of multiple aquatic communities to flood pulse as well as the role of keystone species in maintaining community stability, which could guide the conservation and management of seasonal lake ecosystems.

     

英德西南旅游区水源河流水质与浮游生物群落特征

通过野外采样及实验室分析,调查了英德市西南旅游区水源河流上、中、下游的水质状况及浮游生物的多样性。结果表明,(1)英德市西南旅游区上、中、下游河段亚硝酸盐、氨、硝酸盐、总氮、镉、铅、铬、镍、铜、锌的含量低于国家标准,铝、钙、钴、铁、钼、硒的含量超过国家标准,而总磷、砷、镁、锰的含量在部份区段已超过国家标准;(2)浮游动物种类的个体数在整条河中以桡足类最多,上游通天岩中浮游动物个体数最多,下游碧落湖浮游动物多样性最低;此次调查总共发现68种浮游植物,其中主要集中在下游碧落湖,在中游碧落洞绿藻、蓝藻、硅藻总个体数最低,上游通天岩绿藻及甲藻总个体数最多,而下游碧落湖的蓝藻和硅藻的总个体数最多;(3)总氮、总磷、铅、钙、浮游动物Shannon-Weaver指数与浮游植物Shannon-Weaver指数从上游向下游增加,而锰与镍含量则成相反趋势。文中探讨了水中元素之间、元素与生物之间、浮游动植物之间的相互关系。本文对风景区水源的生态环境的研究风景区旅游资源开发与管理提供参考。     

基于VGPM模型和MODIS数据估算梅梁湾浮游植物初级生产力

基于MODIS影像数据反演的2009年2月份至12月份太湖梅梁湾水域表面叶绿素a、悬浮物浓度以及水温数据,结合初级生产力垂向归纳模型(Vertically Generalized Production Model:VGPM)估算获得梅梁湾2009年逐月平均日初级生产力时空分布。结果表明,梅梁湾2009年年平均日初级生产力及逐月平均日初级生产力空间分布差异显著,呈现从湾内向湾口逐渐递减的趋势。时间序列分析显示,梅梁湾初级生产力季节差异显著,夏季>秋季>春季>冬季,全年初级生产力主要集中在夏季,占47.4%。通过分析VGPM模型中几个输入参数对初级生产力的影响,发现悬浮物浓度与标准化初级生产力存在显著负冥函数关系,反映沉积物再悬浮引起的悬浮物浓度增加能降低水体初级生产力。温度对初级生产力也有一定的调控与制约,与初级生产力呈现正相关趋势,在低于21℃的温度范围内与最大光合作用速率呈现正相关。     

Influence of nutrients, submerged macrophytes and zooplankton grazing on phytoplankton biomass and diversity along a latitudinal gradient in Europe

In order to evaluate latitudinal differences in the relationship of phytoplankton biomass and diversity with environmental conditions in shallow lakes, we sampled 98 shallow lakes from three European regions: Denmark (DK), Belgium/The Netherlands (BNL) and southern Spain (SP). Phytoplankton biomass increased with total phosphorus (TP) concentrations and decreased with submerged macrophyte cover across the three regions. Generic richness was significantly negatively related to submerged macrophyte cover and related environmental variables. Zooplankton:phytoplankton biomass ratios were positively related to submerged macrophyte cover and negatively to phytoplankton generic richness in DK and BNL, suggesting that the low generic richness in lakes with submerged macrophytes was due to a higher zooplankton grazing pressure in these regions. In SP, phytoplankton generic richness was not influenced by zooplankton grazing pressure but related to conductivity. We observed no relationship between phytoplankton generic richness and TP concentration in any of the three regions. The three regions differed significantly with respect to mean local and regional generic richness, with BNL being more diverse than the other two regions. Our observations suggest that phytoplankton diversity in European shallow lakes is influenced by submerged macrophyte cover indirectly by modulating zooplankton grazing. This influence of submerged macrophytes and zooplankton grazing on phytoplankton diversity decreases from north to south.     

Environmental heterogeneity patterns and predictive models of chlorophyll a in a Brazilian coastal lagoon

The spatial and temporal patterns of environmental heterogeneity in a Brazilian coastal lagoon were described by means of principal component analysis. Carapebus Lagoon has been subject to eutrophication, due to increased nutrient loading from domestic and industrial sewage. Spatial variations in the trophic state and temporal variations in the degree of marine influence are the major sources of environmental heterogeneity in this lagoon. The close and significant relation between total phosphorus and chlorophyll a (r² = 60, p <0.05), and the high TN:TP ratios (up to 50:1) suggest that phosphorus might be the major nutrient controlling phytoplankton biomass in this lagoon. However, nitrogen might be more important as a growth-limiting nutrient in the eutrophic site of the lagoon, where high total phosphorus concentration (up to 338 μg l-1) and low TN:TP mass ratios (<10:1) were found. In a multiple regression model, total phosphorus and electric conductivity explained together a high and significant (R²=0.86, p < 0.001) amount of variance in chlorophyll yields. This predictive model of chlorophyll a is important as a tool for Carapebus lagoon management because it allows one to predict the algal biomass development of the lagoon in response to nutrients and marine water inputs resulting from man's activities. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.