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Ecological stoichiometry in benthic food webs: Effect of light and nutrients on periphyton food quantity and quality in lakes
Author(s) -
Qin Peibing,
Mayer Christine M.,
Schulz Kimberly L.,
Ji Xinli,
Ritchie Mark E.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.2007.52.4.1728
Subject(s) - periphyton , benthic zone , biomass (ecology) , turbidity , nutrient , chlorophyll a , environmental science , ecological stoichiometry , ecology , environmental chemistry , biology , botany , chemistry
To quantify the effect of light and nutrients on periphyton food quantity and quality, a series of experiments, consisting of full light and shade treatments, was conducted in 2003 in 11 lakes differing in nutrient status and turbidity. Periphyton chlorophyll a , C : P, and benthic macroinvertebrate biomass were measured on rocks or artificial substrates (glass slides) or both. Periphyton biomass increased and periphyton C: P decreased as total phosphorus increased. Periphyton biomass and C: P were higher in light than in shade. Benthic macroinvertebrate biomass was higher with high periphyton biomass and low periphyton C : P. Both turbidity and nutrient concentrations in natural water bodies are altered by human‐driven and natural processes; therefore we expect periphyton biomass and C: P to increase in lakes as clarity increases and nutrient content decreases, resulting in high‐quantity but low‐quality benthic food.