Open AccessInteractions between phytoplankton and zooplankton in a fertilized lake
Author(s) -
Langeland Arnfinn,
Reinertsen Helge
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
ecography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.973
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1600-0587
pISSN - 0906-7590
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0587.1982.tb01043.x
Subject(s) - zooplankton , phytoplankton , dominance (genetics) , rotifer , ecology , bosmina , epilimnion , biomass (ecology) , limnology , lake ecosystem , grazing , environmental science , biology , oceanography , daphnia , eutrophication , ecosystem , nutrient , geology , hypolimnion , biochemistry , gene
The limnology of an oligotrophic lake, Langvatn, situated in Trøndelag county in Central Norway, has been studied for five years (1974–1978). In two years, 1975 and 1976, the lake was fertilized with a general fertilizer to change feeding conditions for the zooplankton. Mean phytoplankton biomass in the epilimnion and primary production for the years (1974–1978) were 417, 618, 1370, 607 and 779 mg m −3 and 10.6, 22.2, 49.0, 26.8 and 17.7 g C m −2 yr −1 , respectively. Cladocerans were the dominant herbivore group in 1974 and 1975 and Rotifera in the next three years. The main difference in the interaction between phytoplankton and zooplankton occurred when cladoceran dominance gave way to rotifer dominance. Heavy phytoplankton grazing by cladocerans in 1974 and 1975 stabilized the biomass and maintained it at a low level, which also resulted in a relatively low primary production. The rotifer‐dominated community during the years 1976–1978 did not possess the ability to maintain a stable level of algal biomass. Primary production was also relatively high during these years.