Abstract
Aquatic microecosystems of 3 litres were established in replicate for the 8 combinations of high or low physical heterogeneity, high or low plant nutrient levels and stable or unstable temperature. Plankton succession from a pond water inoculum was observed for 5 mo. Microcrustacea, periphyton and benthic organisms were sampled only at the end of the study. Final species diversity (H') was higher for low—nutrient and for most high physical—heterogeneity systems. Stability of temperature did not affect species diversity. Numerous interactions of the 3 variables occurred, so that the diversity of the systems could not be predicted from the combined effects of single variables. The significance of this observation for theoretical analyses of species diversity is discussed.
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