Benthic diatoms of an Alpine stream/lake network in Switzerland

We compared the benthic diatom composition of lakes, and lake inlet and outlet streams in a high elevation catchment (∼2600 m a.s.l.) in the Swiss Alps. The catchment consisted of a southern basin mostly fed by glacial-melt water and a northern basin fed by snowmelt and groundwater. Streams in both basins flowed through a series of small lakes before converging into a lake with a primary outlet channel. The south basin had on average 4°C cooler water temperatures and 2× higher nitrate-N levels (up to 300 μg/L) than the north basin. In contrast, the north basin had higher levels (2–4×) of particulate-P, particulate-N, and particulate organic matter than the south basin. A total of 109 and 143 diatom species was identified in lakes and streams, respectively, with a similar number of species found in each basin. Aulacoseira alpigena and Achnanthidium minutissimum were common benthic algae in north basin lakes, whereas Achnanthes subatomoides, Achnanthes marginulata, Pinnularia microstauron, and Psammothidium helveticum were most common in south basin lakes. One disconnected lake in the north basin had an assemblage dominated by Tabellaria flocculosa (66%) and Eunotia tenella (14%). Principal components analysis showed a clear separation between the north and south basins in lotic diatoms. Of the 10 most common species, streams in the south basin had greater abundances of Psammothidium helveticum, Achnanthes helvetica var. minor, Achnanthes marginulata, Achnanthes subatomoides, and Diatoma mesodon than the north basin, whereas north basin streams had higher abundances of Achnanthidium minutissimum, Aulacoseira alpigena, and Luticola goeppertiana. Lake outlet assemblages were similar to respective downstream lake inlet assemblages, and assemblages changed in composition along each basins longitudinal flow path. However, Aulacoseira alpigena had higher average abundances in north basin outlets than inlets, and Achnanthidium minutissimum, Psammothidium helveticum, and Achnanthes helvetica var. minor had higher average abundances in south basin outlets than inlets. In contrast, Diatoma mesodon, Fragilaria capucina, and Gomphonema parvulum had higher average abundances in south basin inlets than outlets. The spatial patterns in species composition reflected the hierarchical interaction of landscape features (geology, hydrology) on longitudinal gradients (lake position) in the stream/lake network.     

Application of CCA for study on modern lake diatoms and environment in the Tibetan Plateau

The relations between lake surface sediment diatoms and water environmental variables were revealed effectively by use of a new multivariate canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) based on 45 lakes in the Tibetan Plateau. Water depth, conductivity, Cl^?, Mg²⁺, K⁺ and pH, identified from 12 contemporary water environmental variables, can significantly and independently explain the diatom distributions (p<0.05). The first two axes (λ1=0.34, λ2=0.27) capture 16.1% of the variance in the species data, and account for 57.4% of the variance in diatom-environment relationship. The deletion of redundant environmental variables and unusual samples do not influence the explanation to diatom data. The final CCA result indicates that the water depth and the salinity are the two important environmental gradients and influence the diatom distribution in the plateau lakes. The water depth correlates with axis 1, while conductivity, Cl^?, Mg²⁺ and K⁺, indicating the direction of salinity changes, correlate with both of the first two axes. The definition of diatom-environment model may provide a basis for further quantitative inference on diatom-environment transfer function.     

青藏高原东南缘高山湖泊藻类响应气候变化和大气沉降的长期特征

高山湖泊远离人类活动直接影响,通常具有面积小、寡营养、食物网单一等特点,对气候变化和营养输入具有较高的敏感性。我国青藏高原东南缘地区氮沉降通量较高、增温幅度显著,已有研究显示该地区可能受湖泊类型、流域特征等影响存在差异性的湖泊响应模式。本研究选择该区域位于树线以下、具有不同水深的3个小型湖泊(盖公错纳、沃迪错、碧沽天池)开展沉积物调查和对比研究,通过钻孔样品测年、理化特征和藻类(硅藻群落、藻类色素)等多指标分析,结合区域气候定量重建和氮沉降等数据收集,评价了过去300年来藻类演替模式的异同特征及湖泊水深的调节作用。结果显示,3个湖泊中硅藻的优势物种与群落组成差异明显。深水型湖泊盖公错纳(最大水深39.4 m)的硅藻群落以浮游种为主(占比达82%),优势种为眼斑小环藻(Pantocsekiolla ocellata)、科曼小环藻(Pantocsekiella comensis);深水型湖泊沃迪错(最大水深20.7 m)的硅藻群落中浮游种和底栖种约各占50%,优势种为眼斑小环藻(Pantocsekiella ocellata)、连结脆杆藻(Saurosira construens);浅水湖...     

Freshwater mollusc biodiversity and conservation in two stressed Mediterranean basins

This paper reviews the environmental factors that influence biodiversity of freshwater mollusc communities and conservation status of watercourses in two Mediterranean acid mine drainage-impacted basins of the southern Iberian Peninsula. We found 17 mollusc species: 14 gastropods (10 native and 4 introduced) and 3 bivalves. We found five distribution patterns: native headwater (Arganiella wolfi, Stagnicola palustris, Unio delphinus, Pisidium casertanum and Pisidium personatum) and mouth (Hydrobia acuta, Peringia ulvae and Myosotella myosotis) sensitive-stenochoric species, intermediate sensitive-widely distributed species (Planorbarius metidjensis and Radix balthica), insensitive-eurychoric species (Ancylus fluviatilis), and erratic-distribution pattern species (Galba truncatula and Planorbis carinatus). The highest biodiversity indices have been found in non-impacted headwaters and, to a lesser extent, in tidal streams. The biodiversity of the middle reaches, with varying degrees of impact by acid mine drainage and high water deficit, was scarce and dominated by introduced species. Over 30% of the variation in native and introduced species richness is explained by environmental gradients related to heterogeneity (instream macrophytes cover and Fhi and Qbr indices) and acid runoffs (pH, conductivity, turbidity and concentration of sulphides). Severely impacted sites have no mollusc species. The conservation status of watercourses is also very remarkably influenced by the heterogeneity and contamination of the environment. Conservation values are higher in water bodies located in protected northern and southern sites in both basins.     

江汉湖群基准环境与现代环境中的摇蚊属种组合变化

了解湖泊生态系统基准环境和历史演变规律是进行湖泊生态环境保护和管理的关键.本文研究江汉湖群32个浅水湖泊现代环境和基准环境下的摇蚊组合特征,分析摇蚊组合变化的趋势和影响因素,并探讨了江汉湖群生态和营养参考值.研究发现Paratanytarsus penicillatus-type、Microchironomus tener-type、Cricotopus sylvestris-type、Polypedilum nubifertype、Dicrotendipes nervosus-type、Procladius等为基准环境下的摇蚊优势种.现代环境中Chironomus plumosus-type、Microchironomus tabarui-type、Procladius、Tanypus、Propsilocerus akamusi-type等富营养种明显增多.摇蚊组合CONISS聚类分析结果表明,32个湖泊主要分为3类,其中21个湖泊(第Ⅰ、Ⅱ类)的摇蚊属种与基准环境相比发生了显著变化,主要原因是流域营养盐输入和水生植被的破坏.本研究介绍了摇蚊古生态研究在重建湖泊基准环境方面的应用,并为湖泊管理和生态修复提供参考数据.     

Changes in the epipelic diatom assemblage in nutrient rich streams due to the variations of simultaneous stressors

Benthic diatoms are often used for assessing environmental conditions, such as water quality and habitat conditions in stream and river systems. Although laboratory experiments have shown that each diatom species have different levels of tolerance to different stressors, few studies have been conducted in laboratory settings that analyze the responses of the diatom assemblage to the effects of multiple simultaneous variables. The aim of this study was to evaluate some structural responses (such as species composition and diversity) of the diatom assemblage on a short time scale to the effects of the simultaneous increase in four variables that are directly linked to the environmental changes affecting the Pampean streams: turbidity, nutrients (phosphorous and nitrogen), water velocity and temperature. To this end we conducted a five-week laboratory experiment using artificial channels where we simulated two environmental conditions (LOW and HIGH) employing epipelic biofilm from a mesotrophic stream. The results obtained in the experiment show that the structure of the diatom assemblage in the epipelic biofilm is affected by the simultaneous modification of temperature, water velocity, nutrient concentration and turbidity. These modifications in the assemblage included moderate decreases in diversity, small decreases in the proportion of species sensitive to eutrophication and saprobity, moderate increases in the IDP (Pampean Diatom Index) values and moderate changes in the percentages of the stalked growth-forms. The relative abundance of species such as Luticola mutica, Navicula cryptocephala and Navicula lanceolata were negatively affected by both treatments; other species such as Planothidium lanceolatum, Caloneis bacillum, Encyonema minutum, Humidophila contenta, Luticola kotschyi, Nitzschia amphibia, Navicula veneta, Pinnularia subcapitata var. subcapitata were positively affected by the HIGH treatment; and Nitzschia fonticola was positively affected by both treatments. The results suggest that, in the very short term of the bioassay conducted, the diatom assemblage can modify its structure to respond in a sensitive manner to the abrupt changes in multiple physical–chemical variables.     

水体叶绿素a和硅藻群落时空分布及影响因子的对比分析——以云贵高原异龙湖为例

藻类是湖泊生态系统中重要的初级生产者,物种多样性高且对水环境变化敏感,其生产力水平与群落构建模式是反映湖泊环境梯度和生态系统特征的可靠指标。其中硅藻优势属种的演替模式及其环境条件识别,是开展湖泊生态健康和环境质量评价的重要内容。本文选择亚热带地区浅水湖泊异龙湖开展季节调查,对20个采样点的叶绿素a和硅藻群落组成等指标开展分布特征及其驱动因子的定量评价,系统分析藻类变化的时空模式、驱动因子及其指标异同。2020年12月一2021年9月,异龙湖水环境特征的季节波动明显,综合营养指数TSI平均为74.76,总体处于富营养水平。在80个水体样品中共发现硅藻21属68种,群落结构以浮游类型(平均占比79.33%±20.69%)的耐中富营养种为主;在4个季节的调查中,膜糊直链藻Aulacoseira ambigua(61.62%±20.26%)为优势种。主成分分析显示,硅藻群落组成存在明显的空间差异和季节变化。冗余分析和方差分解等结果表明,水体营养因子(TN、TP和N:P)是影响叶绿素a浓度空间变化的重要因子(解释方差为19.08%±11.4%),水温和水深梯度的影响较小(9.63%±11.31%...     

西藏地区现代沉积物中介形类环境指示意义初探

于2008和2012年先后2次从西藏阿里和那曲地区61个不同水体,包括不同盐度的湖泊、湿地、浅水坑和河流等,共采集了78个水体表层沉积物样品,用以研究该地区现生介形类的生态分布及其环境指示意义.经鉴定,阿里和那曲地区现生介形类共计11属38种.除Ilyocypris neoaspera等5个种外,本次调查的介形类各属种均在湖泊中出现,尤以Limnocythere dubiosa的总壳瓣数最为丰富.Ilyocypris属中除Ilyocypris subdunshanensis和Ilyocypris xizangensis外,其余各种均喜浅水坑的小型浅水环境.Leucocythere dilitata、Limnocythere dubiosa、Limnocytherellina kunlunensis和Eucypris rischtanica为该地区的广盐种.其中Limnocythere dubiosa和Leucocythere dilitata适应盐度范围最广,在不同盐度的各类水体中均有出现.本次研究中的介形类均喜碱性水体,在p H值为8~9的水体中介形类各属种的丰度值达到最大.     

Cyclotella-taxa (Bacillariophyceae) in lakes of the Alpine region and their relationship to environmental variables

Surface sediment diatom assemblages for 86 Alpine lakes were analysed focusing on the dominant genusCyclotella and corresponding environmental data. The range of morphological variability of theCyclotella bodanica/radiosa, C. distinguenda, C. ocellata, C. comensis andC. stelligera complexes was documented. Significance tests included in the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that total phosphorus, conductivity and surface water temperature were significantly correlated withCyclotella taxa assemblage distribution. Numerical species optima and tolerances were calculated in respect to these significant variables using weighted averaging (WA) regression and calibration. CCA and WA were able to provide information about the environmental preferences of the various morphotypes observed.     

青藏高原陆相介形类的分布特征及其对生态环境的响应

统计分析了青藏高原不同区域水体环境表层沉积物陆相介形类的属种分布特征,探讨了介形类在不同水环境下（盐度、pH值及水深）对生态环境的响应.结果显示,青藏高原现生介形类共计21属67种,其中Candona candida、Ilyocypris bradyi、Eucypris inflata、Limnocythere dubiosa、Limnocythere inopinata、Paracypricerus angulata、Leucocytherella sinensis和Leucocythere mirabilis为青藏高原地区的常见种.湖泊、河流、洼地和湿地4类水体环境中,湖泊中介形类最为丰富,达19属62种;青藏高原东北部（祁连山和柴达木盆地）、北部（昆仑山）、西部和南部不同区域的介形类常见种存在较大差异,可能是区域海拔、pH值和盐度综合作用的结果.淡水和微咸水环境介形类属种数量较咸水及盐湖中丰富,分别有17属41种和13属42种,Limnocythere dubiosa （0.52~90.6 g/L）和Leucocythere mirabilis（0.51~174.63 g/L）在淡水、咸水及盐湖中均有出现,适应盐度范围较广;pH值在8.0~10.0范围内介形类属种多样性最丰富,表明大部分介形类具有嗜碱性的特征;青藏高原陆相介形类属种多样性随水深的增加而降低,浅湖（0~15 m）中介形类属种最为丰富,达到17属52种,其中Candona candida（0.2~80 m）和Leucocythere dorsotuberosa（0.3~110 m）从滨湖至深湖区均有分布,二者均具有较大的水深适应范围.     

Morphological and molecular analysis of bloom-forming Cyanobacteria in two eutrophic, shallow Mediterranean lakes

We investigated the diversity of Cyanobacteria by microscopic observation and sequencing of cyanobacterial-specific amplified 16S rRNA genes in the water column of two shallow, eutrophic lakes (Doirani and Kastoria, northern Greece) during summer blooms. Previous phytoplankton studies in these lakes have shown that prolonged cyanobacterial blooms can occur, which are dominated by known toxic species, as well as other less known, co-occurring species. A total of 118 clones were sequenced which were grouped in 23 Cyanobacteria and 11 chloroplast-like phylotypes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that each library included several unique phylotypes, as well as members of all common bloom-forming Cyanobacteria. Most of the phylotypes belonged to the genera Microcystis, Anabaena, Aphanizomenon, Cylindrospermopsis-Raphidiopsis group, Limnothrix and Planktothrix, comprising most of the diversity previously recognized by morphological observations in cyanobacterial morphospecies in these lakes. In addition, novel phylotypes belonging to the Chroococcales were recognized in both lakes. The structure of the cyanobacterial communities of the lakes were very similar, as revealed by the diversity index H (2.06 and 2.01 for L. Doirani and Kastoria, respectively) and LIBSHUFF analysis (XY₁₂P-value = 0.122 and YX₁₂P-value = 0.536), due to occurrence of groups of common phylotypes. This study gives an example for successful cyanobacterial bloom analysis by the combination of morphological and phylogenetic methods useful for monitoring cyanobacteria and water quality in freshwaters.     

Crustacean zooplankton distribution patterns and their biomass as related to trophic indicators of 29 shallow subtropical lakes

A comparative limnological study was carried out to present a snapshot of crustacean zooplankton communities and their relations to environmental factors to test whether there is a consistent relationship between crustacean biomass and trophic indicators among lake groups with similar trophic conditions. The study lakes showed a wide range of trophic status, with total phosphorus (TP) ranging from 0.008 to 1.448 mg L⁻¹, and chlorophyll a from 0.7 to 146.1 μg L⁻¹, respectively. About 38 species of Crustacea were found, of which Cladocera were represented by 25 taxa (20 genera), and Copepoda by 13 taxa (11 genera). The most common and dominant species were Bosmina coregoni, Moina micrura, Diaphanosoma brachyurum, Cyclops vicinus, Thermocyclops taihokuensis, Mesocyclops notius and Sinocalanus dorrii. Daphnia was rare in abundance. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that except for four species (D. hyalina, S. dorrii, C. vicinus and M. micrura), almost all the dominant species had the same preference for environmental factors. Temperature, predatory cyclopoids and planktivorous fishes seem to be the key factors determining species distribution. TP was a relatively better trophic indicator than chlorophyll a to predict crustacean biomass. Within the three groups of lakes, however, there was no consistent relationship between crustacean biomass and trophic indicators. The possible reason might be that top-down and bottom-up control on crustaceans vary with lake trophic state. The lack of significant negative correlation between crustacean biomass and chlorophyll a suggests that there was little control of phytoplankton biomass by macrozooplankton in these shallow subtropical lakes.     

The state of aquatic ecosystems in the zone of hydrocarbon deposits in the middle Pechora basin according to data of hydrochemical and biological analyses

Data on water chemistry in water bodies and streams in Pechora basin in the territory of several gas-condensate deposits are presented. Diatom algae of periphyton and macrophytes are used to assess the effect of production facilities on aquatic ecosystems. The specific features of the structure of diatom complexes in streams subject to the effect of pollutants and accumulation of heavy metals in individual plant species in water bodies accumulating production wastes are shown.     

古湖沼学中的化石硅藻—80年代以来研究进展

化石硅藻由于其丰度高、壳体易于保存,对环境变化敏感、分布范围广等特点,已成为古湖沼学研究中的重要研究手段。80年代以来国际上湖泊硅藻研究在以下几方面得到迅速发展:(1)系统分类;(2)与环境因子的关系;(3)湖泊酸化、富营养化;(4)气候变化;(5)转换函数;(6)再沉积作用和溶解作用;(7)与色素对比分析等。我国湖泊化石硅藻研究起步较晚,80年代以来已积累了一些研究资料,近年来此项研究已开始受到重视和加强。     

东江惠州河流段人工基质附着硅藻群落的季节性动态

硅藻群落结构特征是反映河流水生态状态的重要生物指标,但我国多数河流中还缺少硅藻种类组成与季节变化的基本数据.2010年用瓷砖片作为人工基质研究东江惠州河流段附着硅藻群落结构的季节性变化,共鉴定出附着硅藻40属153种(包括亚种和变种),主要的优势属有曲壳藻属(Achnanthidium)、异极藻属(Gomphonema)、直链藻属(Melosira)、舟形藻属(Navicula)、菱形藻属(Nitzschia)、脆杆藻属(Synedra)等.Gomphonema parvulum和Nitzschia palea为该河流段的广泛性藻种,且相对丰度的季节性变化明显.RDA分析表明,水温、DO、NH4+-N、PO34--P、电导率、pH值等对附着硅藻群落结构有重要影响.在丰水期,水量对于运动能力较强的N.palea的相对丰度具有明显的影响.     

江西省浅水湖泊大型底栖无脊椎动物多样性特征和影响因素

2019年春、秋两季,对江西省76个湖泊的底栖动物进行了调查,在分析其群落结构和多样性的基础上,探讨了多样性与环境因子间的关系,旨在确定影响大型底栖无脊椎动物多样性的重要环境因子,以期为江西省湖泊的精准化管理提供科学依据和技术支持。两次调查共检出140个分类单元,以水生昆虫和软体动物为主,摇蚊类物种数占水生昆虫物种数的53.62%。富营养指示种(长足摇蚊属一种和摇蚊属一种)为春、秋两季的优势分类单元,湖沼典型种(长足摇蚊属一种、摇蚊属一种、石田螺属一种、苏氏尾鳃蚓和霍甫水丝蚓)的丰度变化导致了群落结构的季节变化。大型底栖无脊椎动物α多样性水平较低,基于PLSR和PLS-SEM的分析结果表明,影响大型底栖无脊椎动物多样性指标的环境因子既与藻类种群动态密切相关,也与水质状态有关。大型底栖无脊椎动物多样性与藻类种群状态存在稳定的联系,不受季节因素的影响,过高的藻类丰度不利于大型底栖无脊椎动物多样性的提高,而较好的水质状况有利于大型底栖无脊椎动物多样性的提高。为保护江西省湖泊大型底栖无脊椎动物资源,应在具有渔业养殖功能的湖泊和城镇湖泊中进行水生植物的修复工作,使藻型湖泊向草型湖泊方向演化;对一...     

近200年来湖北涨渡湖对江湖联通变化的环境响应

江湖联通状况对湖泊生态系统有着重要影响,但是由于缺乏长期的生态水文监测数据,湖泊系统对其响应的过程与机理仍缺乏认识.本研究选择长江中下游地区典型湖泊——涨渡湖,结合该湖一沉积短柱的²¹⁰Pb、¹³⁷Cs年代测试,通过高分辨率的多指标分析(硅藻、元素地球化学和粒度),揭示近200年来湖泊生态系统对该湖与长江之间联通关系改变的响应过程.与历史文献记载一致,古湖沼学记录揭示出该湖与长江的联通状况经历了3个阶段.1)江湖联通期(1954年以前):该湖与长江自然相通,江湖水体交换频繁,丰富的贫营养浮游种Cyclotella bodanica表明该湖长期处于低营养及湖泊水位相对较高的状态.2)江湖隔绝期(1954 2005年):随着湖坝的兴建,江湖联通关系被隔绝,湖泊换水周期变长,透明度降低,喜好扰动环境的Aulacoseria granulata大量生长.相应地,富营养硅藻的增加、高TOC含量以及较高的沉积物TP、TN浓度表明,该湖营养水平逐渐升高.特别是近20年来,较高含量的富营养硅藻种——C.meneghinena、A.alpigena、Nitzschia palea、Surirella minuta和地球化学记录,包括TOC含量和沉积物TP、TN浓度,表明该湖富营养化程度加剧.3)江湖季节性联通期(2005年后):硅藻以附生种、底栖种为主,但仍有一定含量的富营养化属种,且TOC含量以及沉积物TP、TN浓度仍然保持较高水平,表明富营养程度有所缓解.古湖沼学和历史记录都揭示了自该湖与长江无连通后其生态状况的快速退化、重新联通后生态状况有所好转.因此,在长江中下游洪泛平原区,江湖关系的重新联通将是减轻湖泊生态压力的有效手段.     

Relationships between body size and trophic position of consumers in temperate freshwater lakes

Animal body size is a driving force behind trophic interactions within biological communities, yet few studies have explored relationships between body size and trophic position (based on δ¹⁵N) at a broad-scale in freshwater lakes. Therefore, our goals were to (1) determine whether body size is a good predictor of trophic position for multiple pelagic zooplankton taxa and fish communities, and (2) examine how body size-trophic position relationships at the community level compare to species level for fish. Zooplankton and fish were collected from 12 and 7 lakes, respectively, located in the Kawarthas, southern Ontario, Canada. The results indicated that for zooplankton, significant positive but different relationships were found between body size and trophic position for cladocerans, in general, and Daphnia, but not Holopedium. For fish, at the lake community level six out of seven relationships were positive and significant, but again, different among lakes. In contrast, at the species level only three of eight species-specific relationships were significant. Furthermore, for two widespread species, Perca flavescens and Micropterus dolomieu, significant differences were found between community- and lake-specific species relationships. Our community-level models and most species-level models provide evidence that trophic interactions in freshwater lakes are size-based. These results demonstrate that general species models should be applied with caution when using body size to predict trophic position. Additionally, the predictive power of some relationships found here is questionable since, albeit significant, their strengths are generally low. Together, our results suggest that body size may have limited use in predicting trophic position of some biota in temperate freshwater lakes.     

Spatial processes determine planktonic diatom metacommunity structure of headwater streams

Headwater streams are interesting ecological systems for studies of metacommunities given their high degrees of isolation, unidirectionality of water flow and hierarchical organization in the drainage network. In addition, for passively dispersing aquatic organisms (e.g. planktonic diatoms), connectivity between sites is unidirectional, which implies a higher isolation of headwaters, leading to a greater dispersal limitation between streams. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative importance of local environmental (i.e., physicochemical variables) and spatial (i.e., distance between sites) components to the planktonic diatom community in 28 headwater streams of the Cerrado, central region of Brazil. Due the fact that each sampling point was located in a different headwater stream, we expected that spatial components (a proxy for diatom dispersal) were more important than local environmental conditions to the structure of the diatom metacommunity. We found 51 morphospecies of diatoms (Bacillariophyceae). The community composition of diatoms showed strong spatial variation, which was also indicated by high beta diversity (mainly contributed by the turnover component). The variation in diatom community composition, species richness, total density, and Local Contribution to Beta Diversity (LCBD) of headwaters streams was explained solely by spatial factors. Based on these results, we inferred that due to dispersal limitation, the diatom communities of these headwaters tend to show distinct species composition, with high species turnover among the local communities. We highlight the importance of headwater streams as reservoirs of biodiversity for a riverine diatom metacommunity.