Zooplankton, phytoplankton and the microbial food web in two turbid and two clearwater shallow lakes in Belgium
Muylaert, K.; Declerck, S.; Geenens, V.; Van Wichelen, J.; Degans, H.; Vandekerkhove, J.; Van Der Gucht, K.; Vloemans, N.; Rommens, W.; Rejas, D.; Urrutia, R.; Sabbe, K.; Gillis, M.; Decleer, K.; De Meester, L.; Vyverman, W. (2003). Zooplankton, phytoplankton and the microbial food web in two turbid and two clearwater shallow lakes in Belgium. Aquat. Ecol. 37(2): 137-150. dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1023988702926 In: Aquatic Ecology. Springer: Dordrecht; London; Boston. ISSN 1386-2588; e-ISSN 1573-5125, more |  |
| Keywords | Aquatic communities > Plankton > Phytoplankton
Aquatic communities > Plankton > Zooplankton
Biology > Microbiology
Biomanipulation
Environments > Aquatic environment > Pelagic environment
Food webs
Particulates > Suspended particulate matter
Properties > Physical properties > Turbidity
Water > Shallow water
Water bodies > Inland waters > Lakes > Eutrophic lakes
Belgium, West-Vlaanderen, Blankaart L. [Marine Regions]; Belgium, West-Vlaanderen, De Maten L. [Marine Regions]
Fresh water | | Author keywords | alternative stable states; biomanipulation; eutrophic shallow lakes; macrophytes; phytoplankton; zooplankton |
| Authors | | Top | - Muylaert, K., more
- Declerck, S., more
- Geenens, V., more
- Van Wichelen, J., more
- Degans, H., more
- Vandekerkhove, J.
| - Van Der Gucht, K., more
- Vloemans, N.
- Rommens, W., more
- Rejas, D.
- Urrutia, R.
| - Sabbe, K., more
- Gillis, M., more
- Decleer, K., more
- De Meester, L., more
- Vyverman, W., more
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| Abstract | Components of the pelagic food web in four eutrophic shallow lakes in two wetland reserves in Belgium ('Blankaart' and 'De Maten') were monitored during the course of 1998-1999. In each wetland reserve, a clearwater and a turbid lake were sampled. The two lakes in each wetland reserve had similar nutrient loadings and occurred in close proximity of each other. In accordance with the alternative stable states theory, food web structure differed strongly between the clearwater and turbid lakes. Phytoplankton biomass was higher in the turbid than the clearwater lakes. Whereas chlorophytes dominated the phytoplankton in the turbid lakes, cryptophytes were the most important phytoplankton group in the clearwater lakes. The biomass of microheterotrophs (bacteria, heterotrophic nanoflagellates and ciliates) was higher in the turbid than the clearwater lakes. Biomass and community composition of micro- and macrozooplankton was not clearly related to water clarity. The ratio of macrozooplankton to phytoplankton biomass - an indicator of zooplankton grazing pressure on phytoplankton - was higher in the clearwater when compared to the turbid lakes. The factors potentially regulating water clarity, phytoplankton, microheterotrophs and macrozooplankton are discussed. Implications for the management of these lakes are discussed. |
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