Does grazing change algal communities from grassland and pine afforested streams?: A laboratory approach

Drastic changes in the composition and physiognomy of riparian vegetation, such as the conversion of grassland to forest, are expected to alter interactions among light availability, primary producers and herbivores. Our aim was to examine in laboratory the influence of a ubiquitous grazer on periphyton grown in a grassland unshaded stream (reference) vs. periphyton from a nearby pine afforested stream. Besides, we evaluated how the community responds to the removal of grazing. Given that grassland streams are exposed to higher light intensity and grazers are more abundant compared to afforested streams, we proposed that if biofilm grown in the afforested stream are dominated by grazing-vulnerable algal species, grazing pressure by Helicopsyche sp. should be stronger. In addition, if biofilm from the afforested stream has low quality or is less abundant as food for consumers, the effects of Helicopsyche sp. may be stronger or weaker depending on their feeding decisions. Helicopsyche sp. caused a decrease in richness and diversity in periphyton grown in the grassland stream and its net grazing effect on chlorophyll a (Chl a) was higher. Algal community composition from grassland stream was strongly changed after grazing, with a decrease in the proportion of overstory algae. In contrast, algal community structure of periphyton from the afforested stream was neither affected by grazing nor by grazing exclusion. Helicopsyche sp. produced significant changes in a short time in structural attributes of algal communities, mainly in periphyton from the grassland stream suggesting that herbivory, as a functional factor, is diminished following afforestation.     

Longitudinal distribution of periphyton algae in the Moskva river under eutrophication

Variations of the species structure of periphyton algae community on submerged plants have been studied along the longitudinal profile of the Moskva R. with the use of multivariate statistical methods. The results of principal-coordinates analysis show the flow velocity and biogenic load to be the major factors governing the spatial variations of periphyton structure. Mantel test shows the difference in the species structure to be correlated more closely with local variations in the environmental factors than with the distance along river channel. Therefore, the spatial distribution of periphyton in the Moskva R. agrees better with the concept of patch dynamics than the concept of river continuum. Estimation of the indicator potential of three ecological guilds of diatoms (low profile, high profile, and motile) has shown a positive response of motile diatoms to an increase in the concentration of biogenic compounds. The effect of other factors, such as light intensity in macrophyte stands and the microdistribution of diatoms in periphyton layer, can disturb the relationship between biogenic substance concentrations and the abundance of low profile and high profile diatoms.     

Structure and dynamics of the periphytic ciliate community under different hydrological conditions in a Danubian floodplain lake

Ciliated protozoans are important constituents of periphytic communities in aquatic habitats, including river-floodplain ecosystems. As the knowledge about the diversity and ecological importance of periphytic ciliates in floodplain habitats is still limited, the main objectives of this study were to analyse the temporal variations in the community structure and functional role and reveal the main environmental factors controlling community dynamics. The study was conducted in one of the Danube's largest conserved floodplains – Kopački Rit in Croatia. In situ research included two experimental series in a lake, the first from spring till winter and the second from summer till winter. Samples were collected biweekly using glass slides as artificial substrates for periphyton development. During the study, two hydrological (low-water and high-water) periods interchanged. High-water periods were characterized by greater water transparency and nutrient concentrations, while electrical conductivity, chlorophyll a concentration, total suspended solids and particulate organic matter in water were higher during low-water periods. Furthermore, hydrological changes greatly affected the periphytic ciliate communities and the highest abundances were registered during low water levels. We identified a total of 133 ciliate taxa, among which the peritrichs, sessile filter feeders, were the dominant representatives in the periphyton, with the highest densities registered in the absence of floods. During extremely high water levels, the composition of the ciliate community in periphyton changed, with mobile ciliates, predators and filter feeders, becoming dominant. This study indicates that the main food source for periphytic ciliates in a floodplain lake are bacteria and algae, confirming the important role of these microorganisms in the lake food web, by making the carbon fixed in bacteria and algae available for the organisms of higher trophic levels. Additionally, periphytic ciliates have a considerable effect on planktonic organisms in the lake, thus connecting benthic and pelagic food webs, especially during low-water periods.     

Der Aufwuchs im Längsschnitt der Talsperre Saidenbach

The structure of periphyton or “Aufwuchs” communities is sensitive to environmental conditions. It was proposed that periphyton biomass might similarly reflect differences in measured chemical variables between 5 sampling stations in the Saidenbach reservoir. Longitudinal gradients of periphyton biomass could be shown.     

Temporal patterns in macrograzer effects on epilithic algae and meiofauna: a comparative approach to test for single species and whole grazer community effects

Within the shallow littoral zones of lakes, periphyton is an essential component, representing an important source of primary production and a food resource for herbivores. Periphytic communities are abundantly inhabited by meiofaunal organisms, which are mostly dominated by nematodes. During the last 3 decades, consumer–resource interactions between herbivore consumers and periphytic components (mainly algae) have been intensively studied. Although whole grazer community and single species effects on periphyton are known from field and laboratory experiments, the importance of single, dominant grazer taxa in direct comparison to whole community impacts is unknown. To investigate the continuity of grazing effects of a single, dominant macrograzer (Theodoxus fluviatilis, Gastropoda, Prosobranchia) on epilithic meiofauna and algae with respect to the whole grazer community, a temporally structured field experiment was carried out in Lake Erken (Sweden). Grazer impacts on periphytic algae and meiofauna were tested by controlling macrograzer access to littoral periphyton communities for 8 weeks in an exclosure/enclosure experimental design. Overall, the results showed macrograzer presence to have temporally constant, strongly negative effects on algal biomass as well as meiofaunal abundance and community composition. Moreover, T. fluviatilis alone accounted for up to 80% of the grazing effects, indicative of their ability to regulate periphytic communities in lakes. The present study yields new insights into the effects of a single grazer species and stressed temporal patterns of consumer–resource interactions in freshwater lakes.     

Can be the environmental and biotic factors responsible for macroinvertebrate communities’ alterations in Portuguese alpine ponds?

Alpine ponds are shallow waterbodies formed in alpine zones characterized by usual pristine conditions, however subject to harsh conditions that enable the emergence of unique communities with high conservational value. Therefore, it is important to gather information about these ecosystems and understand the changes in the biota. This work aimed to use Portugal’s alpine ponds as a case of study in assessed the macroinvertebrates communities in the Mediterranean ecozone. To fulfill this goal, we aimed to understand the alterations on macroinvertebrates community and how are they modulated by environmental variables. Five alpine ponds in Serra da Estrela (Portugal) were studied for one year. Macroinvertebrate communities and physical and chemical water parameters were determined in June/16, October/16, and April/17. Water chemistry values were similar to other studied lentic waterbodies in alpine zones in Europe, with slightly acidic water and low conductivity. Although accentuated macroinvertebrates differences between ponds, no significant differences in diversity were recorded, indeed the main differences recorded were influenced by ponds habitat types and environmental variables. Canonical Correspondence Analysis showed differences in the communities between ponds, namely the high influence of several physical and chemical parameters (conductivity, phosphate content, and pH) in the macroinvertebrates community composition. Indeed, Spearman’s correlation revealed significant interaction in diversity, abundance and richness of macroinvertebrates and several physical and chemical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen and nitrates concentration).     

青藏高原东北部湖泊细菌群落结构特征季节性差异及驱动机制

微生物是湖泊生态系统重要的有机组分。了解不同时期青藏高原湖泊细菌群落特征、环境驱动因子及其群落构建过程的差异,对高原湖泊水生态管理具有重要的指导意义。分别于2020年6和12月采集青藏高原东北部5个湖泊水样,基于高通量测序技术、统计分析和模型分析,解析高原湖泊群在非冰封期和冰封期细菌群落结构、环境驱动因子和中性过程、确定性过程以及随机性过程在细菌群落构建过程的贡献。结果表明：（1）非冰封期湖泊细菌群落的Chao1丰度指数、Simpson和Shannon多样性指数低于冰封期,Spearman相关性分析结果表明非冰封期细菌群落的Chao1丰度指数和多样性指数与水温和海拔显著相关,而冰封期细菌群落的Chao1指数和多样性指数与总氮显著相关;（2）水体细菌群落的优势门均为变形菌门（Proteobacteria）,非冰封期细菌中拟杆菌门（Bacteroidetes）、放线菌门（Actinobacteria）和厚壁菌门（Firmicutes）的平均相对丰度明显高于冰封期。另外,主坐标分析和相似性分析结果表明非冰封期和冰封期的细菌群落组成差异极显著;（3）冗余分析结果表明不同时期湖泊群细菌群落结构的...     

氮、磷供给比例对实验微藻群落结构的影响

生态理论预测,生境筛选和物种竞争可能会联合影响生物群落结构.然而,通过实验手段检测两者对群落结构的影响作用,特别是两者的作用效果是否会随时间推移而发生改变的研究还十分有限.本研究构建了实验微藻群落系统,通过改变微藻生长发育所必须的2种限制性因子氮素和磷素的供给比例,对微藻的结构特征及各微藻组分的种群动态变化进行持续跟踪,并通过对各微藻进行单一培养的方式来获取相关的性状指数,用以反映各微藻的耐低氮或耐低磷能力,进而检验生境筛选和物种竞争对微藻群落的影响作用,以及两者作用效果随时间推移而发生的改变.结果表明,生境筛选和物种竞争对微藻群落结构的影响会随着时间的推移而发生变化:实验初期生境筛选和物种竞争的影响作用均较弱;实验中期生境筛选发挥着较为重要的作用,具体表现在水体中氮素和磷素的供给比例直接影响了具有不同耐低氮或耐低磷能力的微藻种群数量分布;而实验末期物种竞争发挥着较为关键的作用,其中纤细角星鼓藻成为绝对优势种,而部分微藻因为竞争排斥作用而从系统中消失.未来的研究应全面考虑不同的时序变化和空间结构下生境筛选和物种竞争对群落结构的综合影响作用.     

Impacts of cascade run-of-river dams on benthic diatoms in the Xiangxi River, China

The ecological effects of small run-of-river dams on aquatic ecosystems are poorly understood, especially on downstream benthic algal communities. We examined impacts of such dams on the benthic diatom community at a regional scale in the Xiangxi River, China. A total of 90 sites were visited, which were divided into five habitats (H1–H5) according to impact extent of each dam. Using partial least squares (PLS) modeling, we developed two predictive models (diatom species richness and total diatom density) based on environmental variables of an unregulated habitat (H1). These models were then used to predict species richness and total densities at impacted habitats (H2–H5) and residuals, i.e. the differences between observed and predicted values, were used to evaluate impact strength of flow regulation. Significant impacts of flow regulation on diatom species richness were detected at three impacted habitats (H3–H5), where observed species richness were significantly higher—70.6, 63.9 and 46.6%, respectively—than predicted values. Then, possible mechanisms for observed impacts were discussed. Further research is necessary to address the potential negative impacts of cascade run-of-river dams on other aquatic organisms in different seasons, and to explore more appropriate mechanisms for such impacts, which may lead to sustainable management strategies and help to determine the optimal ecological water requirement for the Xiangxi River.     

A practical device for evaluating periphyton colonization dynamics in tropical shallow wetlands

Here, we have presented a field device for sampling periphyton in lentic systems, with a tropical lowland wetland in Colombia as the model system. The periphyton sampler (PS) is composed of a central soft iron pole to which rectangular woody boxes and glass slides are attached to lateral iron axes, which can be distributed at different depths. Our PS can be used to evaluate changes in the richness and density of algal communities at different scales as well as in water quality studies.     

神农架大九湖湿地摇蚊群落组成及其环境指示意义

泥炭地是一种水-陆过渡型的湿地生态系统。水体沼泽化过程中,植被等生物群落也随之改变,进而影响泥炭地碳埋藏和发育过程。作为泥炭地生态系统重要的次级生产者,摇蚊群落结构变迁可以为追溯泥炭地环境演变和发育历史提供关键线索。泥炭地在发育过程中将经历各种不同阶段,然而,现有的泥炭地摇蚊群落调查仅限于泥炭生境或泥炭地中开阔水域,较短的生境梯度不足以提供更为全面的摇蚊群落变化信息。神农架大九湖湿地包含泥炭地、湖泊、临时性水体等多种生境,本研究选择该湿地公园作为研究区域,通过采集不同生境的表层沉积物及水体样品,提取底泥亚化石摇蚊头壳,分析大九湖湿地中不同生境下的摇蚊群落结构差异,并对其与环境因子间的关系进行探讨。结果表明:1)大九湖湿地不同生境中摇蚊优势种迥异,泥炭藓藓丘生境中Limnophyes、Psilometriocnemus、Pseudosmittia等半陆生种类为主要优势种,湖泊生境中则以典型静水种Polypedilum nubeculosum-type为主要优势种,而过渡性水域(泥炭地洼地、沟渠及水洼生境)中,静水种与半陆生种共存;2)烧失量、水位埋深和pH是塑造不同生境类型下摇蚊群落结构的显著环境因子,水文条件主要通过改变碳积累过程等其他环境条件间接影响生物群落组成;3)沿水生-半陆生生境梯度,有机质含量和类型均发生显著变化,而摇蚊群落也由静水种、静水/半陆生共存转变为以半陆生种为主,摇蚊群落对生境变化表现出良好的响应过程。本研究揭示了不同生境条件下摇蚊群落的结构差异及影响摇蚊群落结构的潜在因子,为未来基于摇蚊的长时间尺度上泥炭地发育过程分析提供参考依据。     

Periphyton and sphagnicolous protists of dystrophic bog lakes (Brandenburg, Germany): I. Annual cycles, distribution and comparison to other lakes

The periphyton of acid, dystrophic bogs was investigated. Glass-slides were exposed in four different bog lakes about 100 km north of Berlin, Germany, in order to examine the species composition and the annual cycle of the protist community. The annual cycles of the periphyton in bog lakes were comparable to those in other mesotrophic lakes: During the winter months small heterotrophic flagellates (HF) dominated the periphyton community. Besides that bacterivorous ciliates were present as typical pioneer species. At the end of the ice covering, almost exclusively unicellular green algae colonized the slides. In May high abundances of ciliates and choanoflagellates were observed. At the same time, a maximum of species was reached. From August to October peritrich ciliates significantly contributed to the periphyton. Their number decreased when early frosts occurred.

The four investigated bog lakes exhibit very similar species compositions, almost all of the species were present in each of the four lakes. Differences were only distinct concerning the dominance of some protistan groups. The largest deflections, however, occurred not between two lakes, but between two habitats within one lake: The upper 30 cm of the Sphagnum mat comprise two very different protistan communities, determined by a strong vertical zoning. Due to the different light and nutrient conditions, the slides of the upper region exhibited a denser colonization, mainly consisting of autotrophic cryptomonads and vagile ciliates. In contrast to this, the slides of the deeper region were mainly colonized by heterotrophic flagellates and sessile peritrich ciliates.     

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%...     

Response of aquatic plants to abiotic factors: a review

This review aims to determine how environmental characteristics of aquatic habitats rule species occurrence, life-history traits and community dynamics among aquatic plants, and if these particular adaptations and responses fit in with general predictions relating to abiotic factors and plant communities. The way key abiotic factors in aquatic habitats affect (1) plant life (recruitment, growth, and reproduction) and dispersal, and (2) the dynamics of plant communities is discussed. Many factors related to plant nutrition are rather similar in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats (e.g. light, temperature, substrate nutrient content, CO₂ availability) or differ markedly in intensity (e.g. light), variations (e.g. temperature) or in their effective importance for plant growth (e.g. nutrient content in substrate and water). Water movements (water-table fluctuations or flow velocity) have particularly drastic consequences on plants because of the density of water leading to strong mechanical strains on plant tissues, and because dewatering leads to catastrophic habitat modifications for aquatic plants devoid of cuticle and support tissues. Several abiotic factors that affect aquatic plants, such as substrate anoxia, inorganic carbon availability or temperature, may be modified by global change. This in turn may amplify competitive processes, and lead ultimately to the dominance of phytoplankton and floating species. Conserving the diversity of aquatic plants will rely on their ability to adapt to new ecological conditions or escape through migration.     

Environmental Condition of Water Bodies in the Territory of an Oil–Gas Condensate Field (the Pechora Delta)

Chemical characteristics of the surface water and algae in lakes in the Seduiyakha River basin are presented. Specific features of components of limnetic ecosystems under the influence of anthropogenic factors in the territory of an oil–gas condensate field are shown. Ambiguous response of algal communities to changes in the aquatic environment is revealed.     

The effects of a spillage of diesel fuel on a rocky shore in the sub-Antarctic region (Macquarie Island)

On 3 December 1987, the supply ship Nella Dan ran aground at Macquarie Island (54°29′S, 158°58′E) releasing about 270 000 I of oil, mostly light marine diesel, into the sea. At the time of the incident, many marine invertebrates were washed up dead along 2 km of shoreline. Twelve months later, the shore community was investigated using 1. algal and invertebrate populations of the littoral and sublittoral rocky shore, and 2. the invertebrate communities living in the holdfasts of the giant kelp Durvillaea antarctica, which were collected for later examination. Investigations were undertaken at both affected and control locations. Analyses of differences in community structure involved nested ANOVA and multidimensional scaling techniques. On the rocky substrate, the effect of the spill was restricted to some biota of the lower littoral and sublittoral zones—particularly echinoderms and the patellid limpet Nacella macquariensis. There were differences in cover for some algal species between locations. Within the kelp holdfasts, communities were dominated by peracarid crustaceans at control locations and by polychaetes (particularly the opportunistic groups—capitellids, cirratulids and spionids) at oil-affected locations.

The communities have recently been re-surveyed (in the summer of 1994–1995) to assist in the interpretation of the results and to gauge the extent of recovery of the affected biota.     

水温、光能对春季太湖藻类生长的耦合影响

环境因素对藻类生长的影响机制是探讨蓝藻水华暴发的基础,其中水温和光能均是影响藻类生长的关键物理因子.基于2015年春季于太湖观测的11次藻类总初级生产力、水温廓线和营养盐浓度等,探讨水温、光能及营养盐对藻类生长过程的影响.结果表明:春季,水温、光能是影响藻类生长的关键因素,而营养盐的影响贡献相对较弱.深层水体中光能是藻类生长的关键性限制因子,浅层表现为水温、光能的共同影响,而表层主要表现为光能的抑制.水温的升高促进藻类对光能的获取和利用,提高光抑制的光能阈值,造成深层水体中光能限制程度的加强,藻类生长呈现光限制的深度变浅.本研究有利于确定气候变化下水生生态系统演变的方向,为水生生态系统的恢复提供理论依据.