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The intermittent Lake Cerknica: Various faces of the same ecosystem
Author(s) -
Gaberščik Alenka,
UrbancBerčič Olga,
Kržič Nina,
Kosi Gorazd,
Brancelj Anton
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
lakes and reservoirs: research and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.296
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1440-1770
pISSN - 1320-5331
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1770.2003.00228.x
Subject(s) - environmental science , tributary , nutrient , ecosystem , organic matter , productivity , aquatic ecosystem , hydrology (agriculture) , nutrient cycle , plankton , ecology , ecological succession , lake ecosystem , biology , geology , geography , cartography , geotechnical engineering , economics , macroeconomics
The turnover of matter and through‐flow of energy in the intermittent Lake Cerknica is facilitated by the exchanging wet and dry periods, which either promote or suppress growth and development of organisms, depending on the season of the year. Any deviation from normal floods significantly affects the productivity of reed stands. Drainage of the lake prevents a constant presence of aquatic organisms, particularly planktonic species. Drying and wetting accelerates the decomposition of organic matter. The nutrient input into the lake by one surface tributary proved to be relatively high. The quantity of nutrients in the lake water is lower, however, because of the high buffering capacity of the densely vegetated ecosystem.