Algal Ecology: Freshwater Benthic Ecosystem

781 Pages·1996·45.59 MB·English

by  R. Jan Stevenson

Alga,1E cology
Freshwater Benthic Ecosystems
AQUATIC ECOLOGY Series
Series Editor
James H. Thorp
Department of Biology
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Other titles in the series:
Groundwater Ecology
Janine Gibert, Dan L. Danielopol, Jack A. Stanford
Fresh water Ben thic Ecosystems
Edited by
R. Jan Stevenson
Department of Biology
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Max L. Both well
Environmental Sciences
National Hydrological Research Institute
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Rex L. Lowe
Department of Biological Sciences
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, Ohio
ACADEMIC PRESS
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Front cover photograph: The filamentous diatom Aulacoseira
entangled among the stalked diatoms Cymbella and Gomphonema.
(See Chapter 1, Figure 1 for more details.)
This book is printed on acid-flee paper. (~
Copyright 1996, Elsevier (USA)
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Algal ecology: freshwater benthic ecosystems/edited by R. Jan
Stevenson, Max I. Bothwell, Rex L. Lowe.
p. cm.-(Aquatic ecology series)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-12-668450-2 (alk. paper)
1. Freshwater algae--Ecology. 2. Freshwater ecology.
I. Stevenson, R. Jan. II. Bothwell, M.L. (Max L.) III. Lowe, Rex
IV. Series.
QK570.25.A43 1996
589.3'5---dc20 95-51737
CIP
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
03 04 05 06 9 8 7 6 5 4
Jan and Rex graciously asked me to dedicate this book to my
wife Carol R. Bothwell (deceased November 5, 1994) in
remembrance of the selfless dedication she gave to me over
the years so that my career might prosper. In this, she was
not unlike many other wives, including Mariellyn Stevenson
and Sheryn Lowe, who spend their lives nurturing their
husbands and children so that they might grow and fulfill their
own dreams.
Max L. Bothwell
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Contents
Contributors xxi
Preface xxiii
Acknowledgments XXV
SECTION ONE
PATTERNS OF BENTHIC ALGAE IN
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
1 An Introduction to Algal Ecology in Freshwater
Benthic Habitats
R. Jan Stevenson
vii
viii Contents
I. The Diversity of Benthic Algae and Their Habitats
in Fresh Waters 3
A. The Taxonomic and Morphological Diversity of
Benthic Algae 3
B. The Habitats of Freshwater Benthic Algae 8
II. The Niche of Freshwater Benthic Algae 10
A. The Role of Benthic Algae in Ecosystems 10
B. How Are Algae in Benthos and
Plankton Different? 11
III. Methods for Characterizing Freshwater
Benthic Algae 12
A. Population and Community Structure 12
B. Population and Community Function 18
W. Conceptual Frameworks for Benthic Algal
Community Ecology 23
References 26
2 Patterns in Benthic Algae of Streams
Barry J. E Biggs
I. Introduction 31
A. Conceptual Overview: Disturbance-Resource
Supply-Grazer Control of Stream
Benthic Algae 32
B. Typical Biomass Values for Streams 34
II. Temporal Patterns 36
A. Short Term 36
B. LongTerm 38
III. Spatial Patterns 42
A. Microscale: Substratum Patterns 42
B. Mesoscale- Within Catchment Patterns 43
C. Broadscale: Intercatchment Patterns 44
IV. Benthic Algal Proliferations 46
V. Concluding Remarks 51
References 51
3 Periphyton Patterns in Lakes
Rex L. Lowe
I. Introduction 57
II. The Lentic Periphyton Community 58
A. Habitat 58
B. TheBiota 59
Contents ix
III. Important Influential Factors 63
A. Overview 63
13. Resources 64
C. Disturbance 68
IV. Conclusions and Missing Pieces 71
References 72
4 Pattern in Wetlands
L. Gordon Goldsborough and Gordon G. C. Robinson
I. Introduction 78
II. Algal Assemblages in Wetlands 78
III. The Role of Algae in Wetlands 81
IV. Species Composition of Wetland Algae 87
V. Algal Production in Wetlands 89
VI. Factors Affecting Algal Production 90
A. Hydrodynamics 90
B. Nutrients 91
C. Light 94
D. Temperature 96
E. Macrophytes 97
E Herbivory and Other Faunal Influences 99
G. Anthropogenic Factors 101
VII. Conceptual Model of Wetland Algae 103
A. Dry State 103
B. Open State 105
C. Sheltered State 107
D. Lake State 108
VIII. Conclusion 109
References 109
SECTION TWO
FACTORS AFFECTING BENTHIC ALGAE
5 Effects of Light
Walter R. Hill
I. Introduction 121
II. Photosynthetic Processes 122