Are phytoplankton dynamics in rivers so different from those in shallow lakes ?

• Published in: Hydrobiologia Vol. 289; no. 1-3; pp. 1 - 7
• Main Authors: REYNOLDS, C. S, DESCY, J.-P, PADISAK, J
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01-09-1994
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Fresh water ecosystems; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Synecology; Turbulence; International conference; Growth rate; Algae; Environmental factor; Rivers; Shallow water; Survival; Freshwater environment; Light; Cyanobacteria; Turbidity; Lakes; Bacteria; Phytoplankton; Population dynamics; Thallophyta
• ISSN: 0018-8158; 1573-5117
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00007404

This paper introduces a series of contributions to the ninth meeting of the International Association of Phytoplankton Taxonomy and Ecology, held in Belgium during July, 1993. It draws from the original papers a synthesis which supports the view that the successful species in rivers and turbid shallow lakes are selected primarily on their ability to survive high-frequency irradiance fluctuations as they are circulated through steep light gradients. The selective distinction is less than that which discriminates between plankton of deep lakes and shallow lakes or even between clear and turbid shallow ones. River plankton is, however, dependent on fast growth rates but its survival in rivers is aided by a suite of water-retentive mechanisms. The ecology of turbid systems is dominated by physical interactions, those biotic interactions traditionally believed to regulate limnetic communities being suppressed and rarely well-expressed.