How important can the presence/absence of macrophytes be in determining phytoplankton strategies in two tropical shallow reservoirs with different trophic status?

Abstract

This study aimed at comparing phytoplankton taxonomic classes and morpho-functional attributes in two shallow tropical reservoirs with different nutrient levels and representing extremes of the alternative stable states theory. The reservoirs, locally called Ninfeias Pond (23°38'18.95S; 46°37'16.3W) and Garcas Pond (23°38'40.6S; 46°37'28.0W), are located in the city of Sao Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Ninfeias Pond is oligo-mesotrophic and has abundant submerged macrophytes ; Garcas Pond is eutrophic without submerged macrophytes, with cyclic cyano-bacterial blooms. Sampling was carried out monthly from January to December 1997. Phytoplankton species were classified according to taxonomic classes and the following criteria: life form, size, biovolume, life strategy (C-S-R) and functional group. Statistical differences in taxa contribution were reported for both lakes considering all criteria tested, especially life forms. Taxonomic classes dominating Ninfeias Pond were Prymnesiophyceae and Dinophyceae, which strongly influenced a community characterized by nanoplanktonic unicellular flagellated C/S-strategists, and the main functional groups were X2, L o and Wl. Garcas Pond phytoplankton community was dominated by species belonging to Cyanobacteria and colonial non-flagellated nano/micro-planktonic S-strategists, and the main functional groups were M, S N and L M . Differences in trophic status are probably the main factor triggering such differences. However, the presence of macrophytes in Ninfeias Pond also seems to qualitatively influence its phytoplankton community, favoring flagellated species.