Abstract
ABSTRACTThe suspended algal fraction in small lotic waterbodies has rarely been investigated as the ecological importance was questioned due to low abundances. Recent findings suggest, that substantial riverine plankton communities can establish in small lotic waterbodies. The gap of knowledge concerning the composition of suspended algal assemblages and influential factors determining their composition is addressed in this study by monitoring suspended and attached algal communities over a two year period in agriculturally influenced small lotic waterbodies using delayed fluorescence spectroscopy. A quantitative comparison of suspended and attached algae indicated, that suspended algae exceeded attached algal biomass in late summer and early autumn. Redundancy analyses and corresponding generalized linear models indicated that the suspended algal groups were most influenced by nutrients, temperature and velocity, whereas light regime was of minor importance. The attached algal groups were affected by the same factors, however with differing intensity. Regional factors, such as season, were identified as the major gradients along which both algal fractions varied, inducing temporal synchronous algal assemblages. This work represents a contribution towards a better understanding of algal ecology specifically suspended algae in small lotic waterbodies.
Highlights
Algae occur ubiquitously in high abundances throughout aquatic ecosystems
Even though the ratio is only a rough estimate, it indicates the contribution of both algal fractions to primary production
In all waterbodies studied in this study, both algal fractions contributed considerably to primary productivity with the dominant fraction being dependant on season rather than on waterbody type
Summary
Algae occur ubiquitously in high abundances throughout aquatic ecosystems. They are highly successful primary producers in stream habitats, especially in streams with low allochthonous input such as in agriculturally influenced streams and ditches (Simon & Travis 2011). In these habitats, the primary energy source for higher trophic levels, besides macrophytes, is algae (Stevenson 1996; H€otzel & Croome 1999). Benthic algae, which are morphologically adapted to shear stress, play a key role in primary production in small streams and ditches (Nienhuis 1993; Lamberti 1996). Free-floating algae (hereafter defined as suspended algae) are thought to originate from attached benthic algae in a dynamic interchange or to come from
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