Abstract
Following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's specifications for pesticide registration tests, 12 experimental ponds were constructed. Colonization and succession of the pond phytoplankton communities were investigated during the first year after filling. Taxon richness and densities and biomass as chlorophyll-a were measured. In addition, water-quality data were collected and analyzed. The dominant taxonomic groups were the Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae (with Desmidiaceae dominating), Dinobryon (in the Chrysophyceae), Dinophyceae, and Bacillariophyceae. Similar successional patterns in all 12 ponds occurred; however, the community structure between ponds was not similar at any time. Although the ponds had statistically similar environmental characteristics, they varied in their community structure, indicating that after one year they were not mature enough for use as replicate test systems. The heterogeneity of the pond phytoplankton communities indicates that meso-cosms need to be managed to produce replicate experimental units.
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