Table Of ContentAdvances in Algal Biology:
A Commemoration of the Work of Rex Lowe
Developments in Hydrobiology 185
Series editor
K. Martens
Advances in Algal Biology:
A Commemoration of the Work of Rex Lowe
Edited by
1 2 3
R. Jan Stevenson , Yangdong Pan , J. Patrick Kociolek
4
and John C. Kingston
1DepartmentofZoology,MichiganStateUniversity,EastLansing,Michigan48824,USA
2EnvironmentalScienceandResources,PortlandStateUniversity,Portland,Oregon97207,USA
3CaliforniaAcademyofSciences,GoldenGatePark,SanFrancisco,California94118,USA
4NaturalResourcesResearchInstitute,1900E.CampSt.,Ely,Minnesota55731,USA
Reprinted from Hydrobiologia, Volume 561 (2006)
123
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
AC.I.P.CataloguerecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheLibraryofCongress.
ISBN1-4020-4782-7
PublishedbySpringer,
P.O.Box17,3300AADordrecht,TheNetherlands
Coverillustration:AspeciesofDraparnaldiafromtheGreatSmokyMountains. Draparnaldiaisa
morphologically elaborate and beautiful genus of filamentous green algae found mainly in aquatic
habitatswithlowhumandisturbance.Photocredit:RexLowe
Printedonacid-freepaper
AllRightsreserved
(cid:2)2006Springer
Nopartofthismaterialprotectedbythiscopyrightnoticemaybereproducedorutilizedinanyform
orbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recordingorbyanyinformation
storageandretrievalsystem,withoutwrittenpermissionfromthecopyrightowner.
PrintedintheNetherlands
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface vii–viii
Algology and algologists at Bowling Green, a short history
R.L. Lowe 1–11
Rexia erecta gen. et sp. nov. and Capsosira lowei sp. nov., two newly described
cyanobacterial taxa from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (USA)
D.A. Casamatta, S.R. Gomez, J.R. Johansen 13–26
Large-scale regional variation in diatom-water chemistry relationships: rivers of the
eastern United States
D.F. Charles, F.W. Acker, D.D. Hart, C.W. Reimer, P.B. Cotter 27–57
Short-term effects of elevated velocity and sediment abrasion on benthic algal
communities
S.N. Francoeur, B.J.F. Biggs 59–69
The effects of pH on a periphyton community in an acidic wetland, USA
J.L. Greenwood, R.L. Lowe 71–82
Food limitation affects algivory and grazer performance for New Zealand stream
macroinvertebrates
J.R. Holomuzki, B.J.F. Biggs 83–94
Benthic diatom communities in subalpine pools in New Zealand: relationships to
environmental variables
C. Kilroy, B.J.F. Biggs, W. Vyverman, P.A. Broady 95–110
The relationships among disturbance, substratum size and periphyton community
structure
M.R. Luttenton, C. Baisden 111–117
Relationships between environmental variables and benthic diatom assemblages in
California Central Valley streams (USA)
Y. Pan, B.H. Hill, P. Husby, R.K. Hall, P.R. Kaufmann 119–130
Response of periphytic algae to gradients in nitrogen and phosphorus in streamside
mesocosms
S.T. Rier, R.J. Stevenson 131–147
Comparing effects of nutrients on algal biomass in streams in two regions with
different disturbance regimes and with applications for developing nutrient criteria
R.J. Stevenson, S.T. Rier, C.M. Riseng, R.E. Schultz, M.J. Wiley 149–165
Differential heterotrophic utilization of organic compounds by diatoms and bacteria
under light and dark conditions
N.C. Tuchman, M.A. Schollett, S.T. Rier, P. Geddes 167–177
Using diatom assemblages to assess urban stream conditions
C.E. Walker, Y. Pan 179–189
vvii
Developing and testing diatom indicators for wetlands in the Casco Bay watershed,
Maine, USA
Y.-K. Wang, R.J. Stevenson, P.R. Sweets, J. DiFranco 191–206
Diatom assemblages and their associations with environmental variables in Oregon
Coast Range streams, USA
C.L. Weilhoefer, Y. Pan 207–219
Algal assemblages in multiple habitats of restored and extant wetlands
L. Zheng, R.J. Stevenson 221–238
Ecology and assessment of the benthic diatom communities of four Lake Erie
estuaries using Lange-Bertalot tolerance values
G.V. Sgro, M.E. Ketterer, J.R. Johansen 239–249
Hydrobiologia(2006)561:vii–viii (cid:2)Springer2006
R.J.Stevenson,Y.Pan,J.P.Kociolek&J.C.Kingston(eds),AdvancesinAlgalBiology:ACommemorationoftheWorkofRexLowe
DOI10.1007/s10750-005-1600-8
Preface
The authors of papers in this special issue of introduced by Rex himself, with a description of
Hydrobiologia want to express their respect and his career, students, and their research contribu-
gratitudefortheinspirationthatDrRexLowehas tions.Paperswerecontributedinthreebroadareas
provided.Rexhashadextraordinaryeffectsonhis of algal biology: aquatic ecology, environmental
students and colleagues with his engaging per- assessment,andsystematics.Effectsofdisturbance
sonality, sometimes dangerous senses of humor (flow and herbivory), substrates, sediments, light,
and fun, and infectious fascination with the bio- and organic compounds on benthic algae in
diversity and ecology of algae. The occasion for streams, lakes, wetlands, and the Great Lakes are
thisspecialissuehasbeenthecoincidenceofRex’s explored in aquatic ecology. Algal biodiversity is
60th birthday, having 60 graduate students, and related to human alterations of streams and wet-
having taught a field phycology course at the lands in environmental assessment. Several re-
University of Michigan Biological Station for gional studies document changes in algal species
30 years, where many of us met Rex. The authors composition and their relation to human distur-
includecolleaguesandgraduatestudentsaswellas bances; plus they are used to develop algal indi-
academic grandchildren and great grandchildren cators and multimetric indices of biological
from his graduate students that are professors at condition. Three ‘‘systematics’’ papers were sub-
universities throughout the US. mittedtoadifferentjournalforpublication.These
Rex got his Ph.D. from Iowa State University included a paper on the development of a diatom
in 1970 studying with Dr John Dodd, who had a flora for freshwater ecosystems in the continental
great influence on Rex’s commitment to students. United States and new species of diatoms and
Immediately afterward, Rex joined the faculty in cyanobacteria described from Michigan and the
the Department of Biological Sciences at Bowling Great Smoky National Park.
Green State University (BGSU). Throughout his Thesecontributionstoalgalbiologyareatribute
career at BGSU, Rex has maintained an active toRex’sinspirationofhisstudentsandcolleagues.
research program with his graduate students. He Rex and his wife Sheryn create a special environ-
has published more than 80 papers, books, and ment for learning and intellectual debate at their
bookchapters.Hehasalsobeenrecognizedwith4 homeinBowlingGreenandtheirsummerretreatat
distinguished teaching awards from 1974 to 1996 theUniversityofMichiganBiologicalStation.The
at BGSU, which demonstrates that Rex achieves warm and friendly atmosphere fosters open dia-
hisgoalofprovidingstudentswith‘‘oneofthebest logue,creativity,andcollegialitythatattractsfellow
and most memorable experiences of their lives.’’ scientists and students and produces interactions
The field of algal biology in the United States thathavegrownintoextensiveadvancesinthefields
has benefited greatly from Rex’s efforts. Through of ecology, biodiversity, systematics, and environ-
his pioneering leadership in the North American mentalassessmentaswellasalgalbiology.Rexhas
Benthological Society during the 1970s, benthic inspired us to study, teach, and live our lives with
algal ecology has become a wholly integrated ele- more enthusiasm and satisfaction in a way that
ment of research conducted by stream ecologists. helps us understand and protect the wonder and
His review of diatom ecological tolerances pro- diversityintheworldaroundus.
vided a key reference for researchers in environ- Thank you Professor Lowe.
mental assessment. Rex and his students have
explored algal flora, described new species, and R. Jan Stevenson
documented regional biodiversity throughout the Yangdong Pan
US for the last 30 years. Pat Kociolek
This special issue of Hydrobiologia exemplifies John Kingston
these contributions to algal biology. The issue is and all other authors of these papers.
viii
List of Reviewers
Reviewer Reviewer institution
Eugene Stoermer The University of Michigan
Liz Bergey The University of Oklahoma
Steve Kohler Western Michigan University
Christopher Peterson Loyola University of Chicago
Paul McCormick United States Geological Survey
Jennifer Winter Ontario Ministry for the Environment
Scott Hagerthey South Florida Water Management District
Marina Potapova The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia
Robert Sinsabaugh University of New Mexico
Dean DeNicola Slippery Rock University
Rhonda McDougal Ducks Unlimited Canada
Harry Leland United States Geological Survey
Alan Steinman Grand Valley State University
Rex Lowe Bowling Green State University
Walter Dodds Kansas State University
Christine Weilhoefer Portland State University
Russel Kreis US Environmental Protection Agency
Don Charles The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia
Evelyn Gaiser Florida International University
R. Jan Stevenson Michigan State University
Yangdong Pan Portland State University
J. Pat Kociolek California Academy of Sciences
Hydrobiologia(2006)561:1–11 (cid:2)Springer2006
R.J.Stevenson,Y.Pan,J.P.Kociolek&J.C.Kingston(eds),AdvancesinAlgalBiology:ACommemorationoftheWorkofRexLowe
DOI10.1007/s10750-005-1601-7
Algology and algologists at Bowling Green, a short history
Rex L. Lowe1,2,*
1Departmentof Biological Sciences,Bowling GreenState University, Bowling Green,Ohio, 43403,USA
2University of MichiganBiological Station,Pellston, Michigan, 49762,USA
(*Author forcorrespondence: E-mail: [email protected])
Key words: algae, periphyton, ecology,environment, assessment, systematics
Abstract
This paper summarizes the past 34 years of studies of algae by Rex Lowe and his students and collabo-
ratorsatBowlingGreenStateUniversity,Ohio,USA.Sixty-twostudentshavereceivedgraduatedegreesin
this academic program focusing on systematics, ecology and environmental assessment. The taxonomic/
floristicresearchinitiallyfocusedonnorthernOhiostreamsbutisnowcontinentaltointernationalinscope
focusingonthealgalfloraoftheGreatSmokyMountainsNationalParkandontheSouthIslandofNew
Zealand. Ecological research has focused on factors that regulate the structure and function of benthic
algae. Variables that have been examined include abiotic resources (nutrients and light), grazers and
physicaldisturbance.Studies onenvironmentalassessmenthavefocused primarilyontheimpactofpoint-
source loads of chemicals into water bodies.
Introduction increasinglyclear that ecology andsystematics are
inseparable (Kociolek & Stoermer, 2001). One
I was surprised, humbled and greatly honored cannotaccuratelydescribespeciesinteractionsand
upon learning of my students’ plans to organize a environmental relationships if the species are
celebration in 2003 to recognize, summarize and unknown. This issue is particularly critical when
reflect on studies of algae undertaken at Bowling attempting to extrapolate insights gained from
Green State University during the past 34 years. research to other algal communities separated by
Whenaskedtowritetheintroductorychaptertoa time (paleolimnolgy) or space (biogeography). In
collection of scientific papers contributed by for- addition, the biological species concept has been
mer academic advisees and research collaborators difficulttoapplytoalgaegiventheircrypticsexual
I decided instead to write about the former stu- behavior. Indeed, most algal ‘‘species’’ have not
dents themselves and how their ambitions and been observed reproducing sexually. Thus, mor-
interestshelpedshapemyown.Sixty-twograduate phologyandincreasinglyecologyarebeingemployed
students matriculating through the Algal Ecology inalgalspeciesconcepts.Theinseparabilityofecology
Laboratory at Bowling Green State University andsystematicshasbeenextendedtotheapplication
coinciding with my 60th birthday seems an of algal communities in environmental assessment
appropriate time for retrospection. The theme of (Bahls, 1973, 1974; Descy, 1979; Stevenson & Lowe,
this special volume is ‘‘Benthic algae: Their Roles 1986; Morgan, 1987; Biggs, 1989; Dixit et al.,
in Aquatic Ecology, Systematics, and Environ- 1992; Lowe & Pan, 1996; Stevenson & Pan, 1999).
mental Assessment.’’ Although these subdisci- Accuratespeciesidentificationisessentialforaccurate
plines encompass an expansive continuum of environmental assessment whether the algal commu-
questions of scientific interest it has become nities are modern or fossil.
2
Studentsinthealgalgraduateprogramoverthe Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While
past three decades pursued a continuum of inter- Kociolek focused on taxonomic issues document-
ests in the three sub disciplines (systematics, ecol- ing the diatom flora of selected streams includ-
ogy and environmental assessment). This research ing the description of five new taxa (Kociolek
continuum led to close and fertile interstudent & Lowe, 1983; Lowe & Kociolek 1984), Keithan
collaborations that continue today. Many of the was ecologically focused examining the role of
students that matriculated through the program current in structuring benthic algal communities
are at the forefront of the field today. I am ex- (Keithan & Lowe, 1985). This initial research in
tremely proud of them. I will divide my summary the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
of these research pursuits into the three sub disci- made our current large-scale algal biodiversity
plines, while recognizing their interrelatedness. project which is part of a larger all-taxa biodiver-
sity inventory possible (Sharkey, 2001; Gomez
etal.,2003;Potapova et al., 2003; Johansen et al.,
Systematics and morphology 2004).
Taxonomic and floristic research in our labo-
Our initial interest in the algae laboratory was ratory took a more international approach in the
documenting the local flora of northwest Ohio, 1990s. In collaboration with Barry Biggs at The
USA. Bowling Green rests in an area formerly National Institute for Water and Atmospheric
known as ‘‘The Great Black Swamp,’’ a glacial Research while on a sabbatical leave in New
remnant of Lake Erie (Kaatz, 1955). Streams in Zealand, we observed that diatoms from many
northwest Ohio are all low-gradient in nature and local habitats were not easily identified using tax-
strongly influenced by agricultural practices. The onomic literature from the northern hemisphere.
Portage River system was studied by McCullough This led to a more intensive investigation into
(1971),Jackson(1975)andRohr(1977).Stevenson endemicNewZealanddiatomspecies(Sabbeetal.,
(1976), Kline (1975) and Pryfogle (1976) investi- 2001;Kilroyetal.,2003)thatisstillinprogress.In
gated algal communities in the Sandusky River. addition to our New Zealand algal floristic work,
Acker (1977), Fisher (1980) and Lamb (1983) the arrival of Sophia Passy in Bowling Green en-
researched the algae of the Maumee River. The abled us to pursue taxonomic/floristic work on
algal flora of these rivers is typical of sluggish, diatoms from Bulgaria (Passy & Lowe, 1994) and
nutrient-rich water. Phytoplankton was typically from South Africa (Passy-Tolar et al., 1997).
dominated by small centric diatoms in the genera Taxonomy and floristics continue to one of the
Cyclotella, Stephanodiscus and Thalassiosira (Lowe central areas of research interest in the Bowling
& Crang, 1972; Busch, 1974; Lowe, 1975; Lowe & Green algae laboratory.
Busch, 1975; Lowe & Kline, 1976; Kline & Lowe,
1976).Thebenthicalgalfloraofthesesediment-rich
rivers was dominated by epipelic species typical Ecology
of low-gradient streams (Jackson & Lowe, 1978;
Kociolek et al., 1983). The major focus of research activities of students
Following extensive research on northwestern matriculatingthroughthegraduateprograminthe
Ohiostreamsweinitiatedstudiedinthesoutheastern algology laboratory at Bowling Green has, not
United States in the late 1970s. Camburn (1977) surprisingly, centered on ecology. Because algal
wroteathesisonthediatomfloraofLongBranch assemblages are spatially compact and respond to
CreekinSouthCarolinathatledtohissubstantial environmental variables relatively quickly, they
and profusely-illustrated manuscript (Camburn et areideal subjects forstudentswantingtopursue a
al.,1978)inwhichhedescribedelevennewdiatom research question addressing community ecology
taxaformafloraof268totaltaxa.Theappearance inalimitedperiodoftime.Also,algaestandatthe
of so many undescribed taxa provided incentive interface of the abiotic and biotic components of
for continued taxonomic and floristic research in the ecosystem converting inorganic minerals to
thesoutheast.Kociolek(1982)andKeithan(1983) organic compounds. Thus, algal community
both conducted their graduate research in the structure, function and dynamics are potentially
