ISSN:
1573-5117
Keywords:
macrophytes
;
macroinvertebrates
;
Chara
;
Potamogeton
;
Chironomidae
;
Gastropoda
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Relationships between macroinvertebrates and the presence ofsubmerged vegetation were studied in two shallow eutrophiclakes inThe Netherlands, Lake Veluwemeer and Lake Wolderwijd. A shiftfromturbid water with sparse macrophyte cover (Potamogetonperfoliatus, Potamogeton pectinatus) towards clearwaterwith a dense cover of submerged vegetation (Chara spp.)hasbeen observed in the lakes over the past 10 years. RelativelylargeChara meadows (300–500 ha) have recently developed inbothlakes. The composition of macroinvertebrate fauna wasdetermined atsites varying in cover and dominant vegetation type bysamplingsediment and water during 1992 and 1994. Macrophyte biomass,sampling year and vegetation type were the major determinantsofmacroinvertebrate community composition. Valvatapiscinalis,Bithynia tentaculata, Gammarus tigrinus and Chironomussp.characterized the sites with high charophyte biomass, whereasPotamopyrgus antipodarum, Cladotanytarsus sp., Stictochironomus sp. dominated the samples with lowcharophytebiomass. Chara vegetation was different from Potamogeton sp. by showing lower densities of the midgelarvaeEinfeldia dissidens and Cricotopus gr. sylvestris.Seasonal variations in densities of the dominant molluscspecies(V. piscinalis, P. antipodarum) were closelyrelated tothe development of Chara biomass as well as toperiphytoncover on charophytes. Thus, changes of the light climate inbothlakes, which have led to an increase in colonization bysubmergedvegetation (particular Chara meadows), indirectly had alargeimpact on macroinvertebrate communities.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1017094013491
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