Long-term pattern of alternative stable states in two shallow eutrophic lakes |
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Authors: | IRMGARD BLINDOW GUNNAR ANDERSSON ERS HARGEBY STEFAN JOHANSSON |
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Institution: | Department of Ecology/Limnology, University of Lund, P.O. Box 65, S-221 00 Lund, Sweden |
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Abstract: | - 1 Lake Tåkern and Lake Krankesjön, two moderately eutrophic, shallow lakes in southern Sweden, have during the past few decades shifted several times between a clear-water state with abundant submerged vegetation and a turbid state with high phytoplankton densities.
- 2 Between 1985 and 1991, Lake Takern was in a clear state, whereas Lake Krankesjon shifted from a turbid to a clear state. During this shift, the area covered by submerged macrophytes expanded, followed by an increase in water transparency, plant-associated macroinvertebrates, and piscivorous fish. Nutrient concentrations, phytoplankton biomass and abundance of planktonic cladocerans decreased.
- 3 In both lakes, water level fluctuations were the most common factor causing shifts, affecting submerged macrophytes either through changes in light availability or through catastrophic events such as dry-out or mechanical damage by ice movement.
- 4 Our data give further support for the existence of two alternative stable states in shallow lakes maintained by self-stabilizing feedback mechanisms.
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