Review paper
Ecology of charophytes – permanent pioneers and ecosystem engineers
Schubert, Hendrik; Blindow, Irmgard; Bueno, Norma Catarina; Casanova, Michelle T.; Pełechaty, Mariusz; Pukacz, Andrzej
Perspectives in Phycology Vol. 5 No. 1 (2018), p. 61 - 74
published: Jun 1, 2018
manuscript accepted: Apr 6, 2018
manuscript revision received: Mar 19, 2018
manuscript revision requested: Mar 6, 2018
manuscript received: Nov 27, 2017
ArtNo. ESP271000501004, Price: 24.80 €
Abstract
Abstract For almost a century, charophytes have been regarded as a group that is confined to low-nutrient-clear water conditions. In light of recent research, this generalisation of the ecological niche dimensions of charophytes has changed and now includes more facets of ecological existence. In this review, the current knowledge with respect to species-specificity as well as temporal aspects – ontogenetic and successional ones – of the ecological requirements of charophytes are presented and discussed. This review identifies new directions for ecological research on charophytes as well as knowledge gaps to be filled, not just for reasons of academic curiosity, but also for applied purposes such as lake restoration, bioremediation and bioindication of water quality and water regime.
Keywords
alternative stable states • diaspores • herbivory • lake restoration • submerged vegetation • colonization