Quantitative responses of lake phytoplankton to eutrophication in Northern Europe

Ptacnik, R.; Lepisto, L.; Willen, E.; Brettum, P.; Andersen, T.; Rekolainen, S.; Lyche Solheim, A.; Carvalho, Laurence. 2008 Quantitative responses of lake phytoplankton to eutrophication in Northern Europe. Aquatic Ecology, 42 (2). 227-236. 10.1007/s10452-008-9181-z

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Abstract/Summary

Based on the currently largest available dataset of phytoplankton in lakes in northern Europe, we quantified the responses of three major phytoplankton classes to eutrophication. Responses were quantified by modelling the proportional biovolumes of a given group along the eutrophication gradient, using generalized additive models. Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) was chosen as a proxy for eutrophication because all classes showed more consistent responses to Chl-a than to total phosphorus. Chrysophytes often dominate in (ultra-) oligotrophic lakes, and showed a clear decrease along the eutrophication gradient. Pennate diatoms were found to be most abundant at moderate eutrophication level (spring-samples). Cyanobacteria often dominate under eutrophic conditions, especially in clearwater lakes at Chl-a levels >10 μg l−1 (late summer samples). We compare the relationships among types of lakes, based on the lake typology of the northern geographic intercalibration group, and among countries sharing common lake types. Significant differences were found especially between humic and clearwater lakes, and between low- and moderately alkaline lakes, but we could not identify significant differences between shallow and deep lakes. Country-specific differences in response curves were especially pronounced between lakes in Norway and Finland, while Swedish lakes showed an intermediate pattern, indicating that country-specific differences reflect large-scale geographic and climatic differences in the study area.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1007/s10452-008-9181-z
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Water > WA02 Quantifying processes that link water quality and quantity, biota and physical environment > WA02.3 Physico-chemical processes and effects on freshwater biot CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Water > WA03 Developing strategic data and knowledge at a catchment scale to enable the wiser management of the water environment > WA03.3 Catchment scale modelling and assessment
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Watt
ISSN:	1386-2588
Additional Keywords:	Water framework directive, Indicators, Chrysophytes, Cyanobacteria, Diatoms
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	22 Apr 2009 14:17 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/5646

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