The responses of littoral invertebrates to eutrophication-linked changes in plant communities

Abstract

The decay of submerged macrophytes in lakes of high trophic level drastically limits the extent of habitat available to littoral invertebrates. The loss can be partially compensated by growth of filamentous algae. Our results show that macroinvertebrates typically associated with submerged macrophytes as well as planktonic crustaceans and rotifers occurred within algal mats at high densities. Aggregations of filamentous algae are usually short-term, with frequent appearances and disappearances. The rate of colonization of algal mats by invertebrates is rapid. In locations with a high degree of water exchange, animals colonize both living and decomposing algal mats at a similar rate, but in sheltered habitats, decomposing filamentous algae are colonized by a smaller number of animals. Comparison was made between the occurrence of invertebrate macrofauna on Chara spp., Potamogeton perfoliatus, P. lucens and Myriophyllum spicatum in several lakes. Although these macrophytes differ visibly in morphology and phenology, the number and composition of macroinvertebrates during summer was associated more closely with trophic state of a lake than with plant species.