Changes and interactions in the pelagic community in acidified lakes in Sweden

• Published in: Ambio 1993-08, Vol.22 (5), p.277-282
• Main Authors: Stenson, J.A.E, Svensson, J.E. (Goeteborg Univ. (Sweden). Zoologiska Inst.), Cronberg, G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ACIDIFICACION; ACIDIFICATION; Aluminum; AMBIENTE PELAGICO; AQUATIC ORGANISMS; Crustaceans; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT; Exact sciences and technology; Freshwater; Freshwater fishes; IMPACT SUR L'ENVIRONNEMENT; IMPACTO AMBIENTAL; Invertebrates; LAC; LAGOS; LAKES; Lentic systems; Liming; MILIEU PELAGIQUE; ORGANISME AQUATIQUE; ORGANISMOS ACUATICOS; PELAGIC ENVIRONMENT; Phosphorus; POLLUTION DE L'EAU; Pollution, environment geology; POLUCION DEL AGUA; SUECIA; SUEDE; SWEDEN; WATER POLLUTION; Zooplankton
• ISSN: 0044-7447; 1654-7209

The pelagial communities of lakes undergo dramatic changes during the course of acidification and all major groups of organisms; algae, rotifers and crustaceans showing a reduction in number of species. Calanoid copepods, Eudiaptomus gracilis in particular, increase in relative importance, cladocerans become less important, and daphnids are lost. The decrease in diversity in the plankton community is more apparent in clear-water lakes than in humic lakes. Invertebrate zooplanktivores, especially, increase in importance after the loss of fish species. The increase in concentration of hydrogen ion and metals have had a direct impact on reproduction and survival of both algae and invertebrates. Indirect effects contributing to reduced diversity are altered species structure via predatory and competitive changes, and impact on pathways and rates for nutrient cycling.