Long-term responses of aquatic macrophyte diversity and community structure to variation in nitrogen loading
Tracy, M.; Montante, J.M.; Allenson, T.E.; Hough, R.A. (2003). Long-term responses of aquatic macrophyte diversity and community structure to variation in nitrogen loading. Aquat. Bot. 77(1): 43-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0304-3770(03)00071-8
In: Aquatic Botany. Elsevier Science: Tokyo; Oxford; New York; London; Amsterdam. ISSN 0304-3770; e-ISSN 1879-1522, more
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| Keywords |
Biodiversity
Chemical compounds > Nitrogen compounds > Ammonia
Chemical compounds > Nitrogen compounds > Nitrates
Composition > Community composition
Cycles > Chemical cycles > Geochemical cycle > Biogeochemical cycle > Nutrient cycles > Nitrogen cycle
Flora > Aquatic organisms > Aquatic plants
Hazards > Weather hazards > Droughts
Population dynamics
Rainfall
Temporal variations > Long-term changes
USA, Michigan, East Graham L.
Ceratophyllum demersum L. [WoRMS]
Shoe L. [Marine Regions]
Fresh water |
| Author keywords |
nitrogen loading; macrophytes; diversity; community structure |
| Authors | | Top |
- Tracy, M.
- Montante, J.M.
- Allenson, T.E.
- Hough, R.A., correspondent
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| Abstract |
In a chain of small lakes in southeastern Michigan, USA, macrophyte community dynamics have shown a strong relationship to variations in nitrogen (nitrate and ammonia) loading that appear to correlate with variations in regional annual precipitation. We examined the community structures of two of these lakes 9 years after a drought in 1987-1988 which had temporarily reduced nutrient loading in the system, and during which the macrophytes in normally more eutrophic Shoe Lake had shifted from a Ceratophyllum-dominated community of low diversity to a more diverse community similar to that in less productive East Graham Lake downstream. With a return to the normal precipitation rates and associated nitrogen loading, the macrophytes in Shoe Lake returned to a community dominated by the non-rooted species Ceratophyllum demersum. However, overall species diversity remained relatively high in Shoe Lake after the drought event. |
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