Original paper
Bottom-up and top-down control of phytoplankton growth in an Amazonian varzea lake
Rejas, Danny; Muylaert, Koenraad
Fundamental and Applied Limnology Volume 176 Nr. 3 (2010), p. 225 - 234
published: Mar 1, 2010
DOI: 10.1127/1863-9135/2010/0176-0225
ArtNo. ESP141017603004, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
Laguna Bufeos is a pristine várzea lake in the upper Madera basin, close to the Andes mountains. Two sets of experiments were carried out during the low-water and high-water season to determine bottom-up and top-down regulation of phytoplankton growth rates. Nutrient addition assays indicated that phytoplankton was primarily limited by N during both the high- and low-water season. Measurements of phytoplankton growth rates at different depths in the lakes indicated photoinhibition close to the water surface and slightly negative growth rates below 1 m depth. Incubations of phytoplankton in the presence and absence of mesozooplankton indicated no significant grazing pressure of mesozooplankton. Microzooplankton grazing rates determined using dilution experiments were low (about 0.2 day−1). Nevertheless, given the low in situ growth rates of phytoplankton due to nutrient limitation, this grazing impact was not negligible. Nutrient-deletion dilution and grazing experiments indicated that phytoplankton growth rates were supported by internal and external nutrient pools rather than by nutrients recycled by micro- or mesozooplankton.
Keywords
white-water • nutrient limitation • grazing • phytoplankton growth • amazon • bolivia