Lowering of water level and algal biomass in Lake Kinneret

An unusual situation accompanied the rapid lowering of the lake level which took place during the period 1972–1975 as a result of low amounts of precipitation. The dominant alga of the lake (Peridinium cinctum f. westii), usually blooming from January to May, developed two months later than in previous years. The small and short peak of diatoms and green algae, which used to appear in January, extended until march, delaying the appearance of the winter bloom. The replacement of the non-grazed Peridinium having a high C : P ratio by the actively grazed diatoms and green algae having a low C : P ratio led to a substantial decrease of algal standing crop in the water. The chain of limnological events leading to the biological modification is investigated and its bearing on water quality is discussed.