Beiträge zur Ökologie der benthischen Algen des Hochgebirges in den Pyrenäen II. Cyanophyceen und übrige Algengruppen

Abstract

AbstractLittle research has been made on the litoral algal flora of unpolluted high mountain lakes and streams. Since the algal flora is often used to estimate the water quality, it is of great value to know more about the ecology of benthic forms living under extreme oligotrophic conditions.An investigation was made of the benthic and littoral microphytic vegetation of Esteragne torrent, and Lac de Port‐Bielh in the High Pyrenees. Both waters combine a low calcium content with a consistently basic pH. A comparison of their flora with that of other lakes may help to deal with the problem of whether the algal flora is determined more by the calcium content or the pH.The algal flora of Esteragne torrent differs little from that of low‐calcium streams of the central European highlands. In Lac de Porth‐Bielh there is a distinct depth‐zonation among the dominant algae. The dominant taxa at a depth of 0–0,5 metres are: Schizothrix lacustris f. lutescens, Sch. calcicola, Gloeocapsa tornensis, Pleurocapsa minor with Cyanostylon microcystoides and Hydrococcus cesatii particularly on the undersides of the stones; from 0,5 to 1,5 m: a massive growth of Nostoc zetterstedtii; from 2,5 to 4,5 m: Schizothrix funalis; from 7 m: Nitella flexilis. In addition the lake includes a number of rare and little known forms such as? Onkonema sp., of. Desmosiphon maculans, Lyngbya lachneri, Homeothrix sinensis, Chantransia chalybea v. profunda, Siphononema polonicum status chamaesiphonoides. Green algae were almost completely absent from the upper zones, in contrast to the usual findings. The littoral flora has a very distinctive character, and is not directly comparable with that usually found in lakes with either high or low calcium content. A certain resemblance to lakes with a high calcium content can be found only if all the forms present particularly with lower abundances are considered. The very strong development of lithophytes should be emphasized in contrast to their usually low density in lakes with low calcium content.The systematic section deals with systematic and taxonomic problems in a number of difficult forms.