Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Spatial and temporal dynamics of functional groups of phytoplankton in a tropical shallow lake

Dinâmica espaço-temporal dos grupos funcionais do fitoplâncton em lago raso tropical

Abstract

Aim

To evaluate the structure and dynamics of functional phytoplankton groups (FGs) over a macrophyte cover gradient and their relations with environmental variable in small, shallow clear-water lake.

Methods

Physical, chemical and phytoplankton analyses were made between August 2014 and June 2015 at three points on the Santa Lucia lake (Paraiba, Brazil). Tukey and Wilcoxon tests were applied to the data followed by CCA and Anova.

Results

The submerged macrophyte cover and phytoplankton biomass presented high spatial and temporal uniformity. The increase in rainfall induced small variations in functional groups, promoting increase the N group and reduction of the SN.

Conclusion

The homogeneity in the composition and structure functional groups along macrophyte cover confirm the tendency that in small and shallow lakes communities of limnetic and shoreline zones tend to be similar.

Keywords:
environmental variables; homogeneity; macrophytes; phytoplankton; shallow lakes

Resumo

Objetivo

Avaliar a estrutura e dinâmica de grupos funcionais do fitoplâncton (GFs) ao longo de um gradiente de cobertura de macrófitas e suas relações com as variáveis ambientais em lago pequeno e raso de águas claras.

Métodos

Análises de variáveis físicas, químicas e da comunidade fitoplanctônica foram realizadas entre agosto 2014 a junho 2015, em três pontos distribuídos ao longo lago Santa Lúcia (Paraíba-Brasil). Testes de Tukey, Wilcoxon, seguido da CCA e Anova foram realizados.

Resultados

A cobertura de macrofitas submersas e a biomassa fitoplanctônica apresentaram distribuição espaço-temporal uniforme. O aumento da precipitação pluviométrica promoveu aumento da participação do grupo N e redução do grupo SN, provavelmente associados a alterações na estabilidade da coluna d´água.

Conclusão

A uniformidade na composição e estrutura dos grupos funcionais ao longo da cobertura de macrófitas confirmam a tendência de que em lagos pequenos e rasos as comunidades de zonas limnéticas e litorâneas tendem a ser semelhantes.

Palavras-chave:
variáveis ambientais; homogeneidade; macrófitas; fitoplâncton; lagos rasos

1. Introduction

The capacity to store and maintain water internally, susceptibility to any anthropic or even natural factors and vulnerability to seasonal events are characteristics of shallow lakes subject to abrupt changes in the quality of the water. Shifting in shallow lakes may be due to different mechanisms, such as a drastic perturbation on the system, or a stepwise change in some external condition ( Scheffer & Jeppesen, 2007 SCHEFFER, M. and JEPPESEN, E. Regime shifts in shallow lakes. Ecosystems (New York, N.Y.), 2007, 10(1), 1-3. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10021-006-9002-y.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10021-006-90...
).

The mechanisms stabilizing clear-water conditions are still misunderstood, however, the submersed macrophytes is supposed important mechanisms to the stabilization of sediments ( Hilt, 2015 HILT, S. Regime shifts between macrophytes and phytoplankton – concepts beyond shallow lakes, unravelling stabilizing mechanisms and practical consequences. Limnetica , 2015, 34(2), 467-480. ) and have unfavourable effect on phytoplankton biomass through various mechanisms such as the provision of refuge from predation and high nutrient absorption ( Scheffer et al., 1993 SCHEFFER, M., HOSPER, S.H., MEIJER, M.-L., MOSS, B. and JEPPESEN, E. Alternative equilibria in shallow lakes. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 1993, 8(8), 275-279. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0169-5347(93)90254-M. PMid:21236168.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0169-5347(93)...
).

Studies have reported that submerged macrophytes play a key role in the clear-water state of shallow lakes ( Hilt, 2015 HILT, S. Regime shifts between macrophytes and phytoplankton – concepts beyond shallow lakes, unravelling stabilizing mechanisms and practical consequences. Limnetica , 2015, 34(2), 467-480. ; Sanchéz et al., 2015 SANCHÉZ, M.L., LAGOMARSINO, L., ALLENDE, L. and IZAGUIRRE, I. Changes in the phytoplankton structure in a Pampean shallow lake in the transition from a clear to a turbid regime. Hydrobiologia, 2015, 752(1), 65-76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-2010-6.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-20...
), performing as regulatory agents, highly sensitive to any changes and enhancing stability on the cascade effect. The submerged vegetation increases water transparency and, consequently, the local water quality ( Hilt et al., 2010 HILT, S., HENSCHKE, I., RÜCKER, J. and NIXDORF, B. Can submerged macrophytes influence turbidity and trophic state indeep lakes? Suggestions from a case study. Journal of Environmental Quality, 2010, 39(2), 725-733. http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/jeq2009.0122. PMid:20176845.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/jeq2009.0122 ...
), by reducing the re-suspension of sediment nutrients. Besides, it produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit phytoplankton growth ( Hilt & Gross, 2008 HILT, S. and GROSS, E.M. Can allelopathically active submerged macrophytes stabilise clearwater states in shallow eutrophic lakes? Basic and Applied Ecology, 2008, 9(4), 422-432. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2007.04.003.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2007.0...
).

Considering the wide variety of phytoplankton species and their functional role, many studies have adopted a functional approach in order to understand changes in aquatic ecosystems based on morpho-physiological aspects and abiotic variables ( Fonseca & Bicudo, 2011 FONSECA, B.M. and BICUDO, C.E.M. Phytoplankton seasonal and vertical variations in a tropical shallow reservoir with abundant macrophytes (Ninféias Pond, Brazil). Hydrobiologia, 2011, 665(1), 229-245. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0626-3.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-06...
; Crossetti et al., 2013 CROSSETTI, L.O., BECKER, V., CARDOSO, L.S., RODRIGUES, L.R., COSTA, L.S. and MOTTA-MARQUES, D. Is phytoplankton functional classification a suitable tool to investigate spatial heterogeneity in a subtropical shallow lake? Limnologica, 2013, 43(3), 157-163. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2012.08.010.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2012....
). Those approaches have indicated possible patterns of co-occurrence of species that act as environmental predictors in relation to changes in the equilibrium state ( Reynolds et al., 2002 REYNOLDS, C.S., HUSZAR, V., KRUK, C., NASELLI-FLORES, L. and MELO, S. Towards a functional classification of the freshwater phytoplankton. Journal of Plankton Research , 2002, 24(5), 417-428. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/24.5.417.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/24.5.4...
; Padisák et al., 2009 PADISÁK, J., CROSSETTI, L.O. and NASELLIFLORES, E.L. Use and misuse in the application of the phytoplankton functional classification: a critical review with updates. Hydrobiologia, 2009, 621(1), 1-19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9645-0.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-96...
).

In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the structure and dynamics of functional groups of the phytoplankton along a gradient of macrophyte cover and their relations with the environmental variables in a small, shallow, clear-water lake. The mainly question of this study was: Are there any differences in the composition or structure of functional groups (FGs) along the macrophyte cover?

2. Material and Methods

2.1. Study area

The Basin of the Mamanguape River is in the extreme eastern of the Paraiba state (6° 36’ 49” – 7° 11’ 08” S; 34° 54’ 42” – 35° 57’ 51” W). The climate is tropical, with temperatures ranging from 28 to 35 °C ( Alvares et al., 2013 ALVARES, C.A., STAPE, J.L., SENTELHAS, P.C., GONÇALVES, J.L.M. and SPAROVEK, G. Köppen’s climate classification map for Brazil. Meteorologische Zeitschrift, 2013, 22(6), 711-728. http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2013/0507.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/201...
).

The Santa Lucia lake (06° 50’ 14.2” S, 35° 19’ 51.4” W), has 444 m long by 128 m in width and extensive formations of submerged macrophytes ( Nitella cernua A. Braun). The lake is designed for multiple uses, including irrigation, fishing and recreation.

2.2. Sampling

Samples were collected between August 2014 and July 2015 (monthly frequency) from three sampling sites located at the lake ( Figure 1 ). Rainfall data were provided by the Executive Water Management Agency of the State of Paraiba (AESA).

Figure 1
Location of the Santa Lucia Lake in the Paraiba state (Brazil) and the respective transects.

2.3. Limnological parameters

Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, electric conductivity and pH were measured ‘ in situ’ with a multiparameter probe. Water samples were collected from the sub-surface of the lake. Total phosphorus and orthophosphate were assessed using methodology described by APHA (2005) AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION – APHA. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 21st ed. Washington: APHA, 2005. .

Transparency of the water was estimated with a Secchi disk ( Cole, 1994 COLE, G. Textbook of limnology. 2nd ed. Saint Louis: The C.V. Mosby, 1994. 283 p. ). Euphotic zone (Zeu) was calculated as 2.7 times the Secchi depth ( Cole, 1994 COLE, G. Textbook of limnology. 2nd ed. Saint Louis: The C.V. Mosby, 1994. 283 p. ).

The euphotic zone (Zeu):mixing zone (Zmix) ratio was used as an index for light availability in the mixing zone ( Jensen et al., 1994 JENSEN, P., JEPPESEN, E., OLRIK, K. and KRISTENSEN, P. Impact of nutrients and physical factors on the shift from Cyanobacterial to Chlorophyte dominance in shallow Danish lakes. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 1994, 51(8), 1692-1699. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f94-170.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f94-170 ...
). Due to isothermal profile and shalllower depth, the mixture zone (Zmix) was considered as the equivalent to maximum zone (Zmax). The coefficient of vertical attenuation of the light (k) was calculated by the expression k = 1.7 x ZDS-1 ( Poole & Atkins, 1929 POOLE, H.H. and ATKINS, W.R.G. Photo-electric measurements of submarine illumination throughout the year. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India, 1929, 16(1), 297-324. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315400029829.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S002531540002...
).

2.4. Submerged macrophyte cover

The cover of each macrophyte species was estimated visually as a percentage within a square meter area. Their abundance was estimated as a percentage of the volume of infestation (PVI) under the water (Canfield Junior et al., 1984 CANFIELD JUNIOR, D.E., SHIREMAN, J.V., COLLE, D.E., HALLER, W.T., WATKINS II, C.E. and MACEINA, M.J. Prediction of Chlorophyll a Concentrations in Florida Lakes: Importance of Aquatic Macrophytes. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences , 1984, 41(3), 497-501. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f84-059.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f84-059 ...
).

2.5. Phytoplankton

Quantitative analysis of phytoplankton was performed according to the method described by Utermöhl (1958) UTERMÖHL, H. Zur Vervoll kommnung der quantitativen phytoplankton-methodic. Mitteilungen Internationale Vereinigung für Theoretische und Angewandte Limnologie , 1958, 9, 1-38. by using samples fixed with aqueous acetic Lugol (1%). A minimum of 100 individuals of the most frequent species were counted ( Lund et al., 1958 LUND, J.W.G., KIPLING, C. and LE CREN, E.D. The inverted microscope method of estimating algal numbers and the statistical basis of estimations by counting. Hydrobiologia , 1958, 11(2), 143-170. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00007865.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00007865 ...
), and density was calculated according to the method described by Ros (1979) ROS, J. Práctica de ecología. Barcelona: Omega, 1979. .

Biovolume (mm3 L-1) was estimated using geometric formulas ( Sun & Liu, 2003 SUN, J. and LIU, D. Geometric models for calculating cell bio-volume and surface area for phytoplankton. Journal of Plankton Research, 2003, 25(11), 1331-1346. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/fbg096.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/fbg096...
; Hillebrand et al., 1999 HILLEBRAND, H., DÜRSELEN, C.D., KIRSCHTEL, D., POLLINGHER, D. and ZOHARY, T. Bio-volume calculation for pelagic and benthic microalgae. Journal of Phycology , 1999, 35(2), 403-424. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1529-8817.1999.3520403.x.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1529-8817.1...
) with the mean values of the measurements of 20–30 individuals expressed in units of wet weight, where 1 mm3 L-1 = 1 mg L-1 ( Wetzel & Likens, 2000 WETZEL, R.G. and LIKENS, G.E. Limnological analyses. Berlim: Springer, 2000, 429 p. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-3250-4.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-32...
).

2.6. Data analysis

The phytoplankton species were classified according to their relative frequencies of occurrence, which is defined as the number of sample units in which the species was observed as a percentage of the total number of sample units ( Matteucci & Colma, 1982 MATTEUCCI, S.D. and COLMA, A. Metodologia para el estudio de la vegetacion. Washington: The Genral Secretarial of the Organization of American States, 1982, 167 p. Série Biologia - Monografia, vol. 22. ).

The Tukey test, using a probability of value of 5%, was applied to identify whether there were any spatial-temporal differences in the limnological variables and submerged macrophytes. Tests for significant differences of total phytoplankton biomass along the transects were performed using the Wilcoxon test. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to assess the relationships between species of phytoplankton species and environmental variables. The CCA followed by Anova to verify the relations between the abiotic variable and the functional groups. The analyses were performed through R 3.2.2.

3. Results

The air temperature ranged from 27.9 °C (September/2016) to 34.6 °C (January/2017) ( Figure 2 ). The rainfall ranged from 26.5 mm (February) to 271.4 mm (March).

Figure 2
Total monthly rainfall (mm) and air temperature (°C) in the study area (Paraíba, Brazil). Legend: A (August), S (September), O (October), D (December), J (January), F (February), M (March), A (April), M (May), J (June), respectively.

The analysis of the selected abiotic variables showed that the Santa Lúcia lake has no limitation about light with Zeu: Zmix > 1, the pH remained alkaline (> 7) and total phosphorus values were generally low (< 43.5 µg L-1). Water temperatures showed an isothermal profile with a complete mixture of the water column (Zmax = Zmix) and high concentrations of dissolved oxygen. In regard to temporal variation, statistically significant variations were only found for the water temperature, orthophosphate and conductivity, in the year 2015.

The values of macrophytes infestation potential (PVI) ranging from 78.7 to 81.3%, associated with submerse specie Nitella cernua A. Braun, which was dominant throughout the lake. Significant temporal and spatial diferences were not observed for PVI (p ≥ 0.05) ( Table 1 ).

Table 1
Average values for the limnological variables and the macrophytes in the Santa Lúcia Lake (Paraiba, Brazil).

3.1. Functional groups of the phytoplankton

The phytoplankton species were classified into eight functional groups: N , K, X1, W2, TD, SN , S1 and P. Significant diferences (P≥ 0.05) were not observed for total biomass.

Figure 3 shows that the S1 exhibited high values of biomass, reaching 99.9% of the total biomass during Septemper. The most frequent species were Planktonlyngbia sp., Phormidium sp. and Planktothrix agardhii. The K group accounted for 97% of the biomass in October and the main species encountered was Aphanocapsa annulata, whereas other species (Aphanocapsa delicatissima, Aphanocapsa sp, Synechococcus elongatus ) were considered rare. In January, February and April the N group contributed with 73.8%, 81.8% and 97.4%, respectively. The composition of the group was associated to desmids (Cosmarium regnelli e Staurastrum taylori) and diatoms (Synedra sp. and Pennales sp.), most abundant in the central region of the lake.

Figure 3
Contributions of those phytoplankton functional groups representing 10% or more of the total biomass in the Santa Lúcia lake from August 2014 to June 2015. Legend: A (August), S (September), O (October), D (December), J (January), F (February), M (March), A (April), MA (May), JU (June), respectively. Numbers 1,2,3: sampling points.

The other groups, P, W2, SN, TD and X1, were less representative than the two most dominant groups ( Figure 3 ).

To explain the eight functional groups, seven variables were selected and the Canonic Correspondence Analysis (CCA) explained 76.6% of the variability of the data obtained for the first two axes in which water temperature, orthophosphate, total phosphorus and pH were the variables with greatest influence on the functional group dynamics. The most important groups in the ordination of axis 1 were total phosphate and orthophosphate which influenced functional groups X1, S1 and K, largely associated to the shoreline zones of the lake ( Table 2 ). As regards axis 2 the most important variable in determining ordination were water temperature and pH and the related functional groups N, SN and TD were also associated to sample units taken from the zone near the shore ( Figure 4 ).

Table 2
Summary of the Canonic Correspondence Analysis showing correlation coefficients among the phytoplankton functional groups and the environmental variables of the Santa Lucia Lake for the period August 2014 to June 2015.
Figure 4
Canonic Correspondence Analysis (CCA) of the sample units taken from the Santa Lúcia lake generated by seven abiotic variables and the descriptive functional groups of the phytoplankton community. The numbers indicate the months and sampling points. Aug (1-3), Set (4- 6), Out (7-9), Dec (10-12), Jan (13-14), Feb (15-17), Mar (18-20), Apr (21-23), May (24-26), Jun (27-29). The limnological variables: Twater = water temperature, Cond = Conductivity, pH, Zeu:Zmix, P.orto = orthophosphate, PTwater = total phosphorus, K = light attenuation coefficient.

4. Discussion

The presence of the macrophytes is highly relevant insofar as they promote an increase in spatial heterogeneity ( Costa & Dantas, 2011 COSTA, D.F. and DANTAS, E.W. Diversity of community in different urban aquatic ecosystems in metropolitan João Pessoa, state of Paraíba, Brazil. Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia, 2011, 23(4), 394-405. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X2012005000018.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X201...
; Izaguirre et al., 2012 IZAGUIRRE, I., ALLENDE, L., ESCARAY, R., BUSTINGORRY, J., PÉREZ, G. and TELL, G. Comparison of morpho-functional phytoplankton classifications in human- impacted shallow lakes with different stable states. Hidrobiologia, 2012, 698(1), 203-216. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1069-1.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-10...
; Pinto & O’Farrell, 2014 PINTO, P. T. and O’FARRELL, I. Regime shifts between free-floating plants and phytoplankton: a review. Hydrobiologia, 2014, 740(1), 13-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-1943-0.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-19...
). At the small shallow lakes, phytoplankton species from limnetic are usually similar to shoreline zones ones, commonly densely covered by macrophytes ( Fonseca & Bicudo, 2011 FONSECA, B.M. and BICUDO, C.E.M. Phytoplankton seasonal and vertical variations in a tropical shallow reservoir with abundant macrophytes (Ninféias Pond, Brazil). Hydrobiologia, 2011, 665(1), 229-245. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0626-3.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-06...
). In this study, however, limnetic and shoreline zones composition were indistinguishable, due to the high degree of macrophytes homogeneity.

The apparent spatial homogeneity of biotic and abiotic variables found in this study corroborated a previous study from lakes with similar characteristics. Ferrari (2010) FERRARI, F. Estrutura e dinâmica da comunidade de algas planctônicas e perifíticas (com ênfase nas diatomáceas) em reservatórios oligotrófico e hipertrófico, Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga, São Paulo [Tese de Doutorado]. São Paulo: Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, Universidade Estadual Paulista, 2010. attributed the low spatial heterogeneity to morphometric characteristics, like small area and shallow waters. It is known that differences among habitats affect the phytoplankton composition. However, when the micro-habitats are very similar, the phytoplankton communities also following this trend ( Pereira, 2013 PEREIRA, J.S. Estrutura e Dinâmica da comunidade fitoplanctônica no período de cinco anos em ambiente mesotrófico (Lago das Ninféias), Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga [Tese de Doutorado]. São Paulo: Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, 2013, 94 p. ).

The tropical Brazilian Northeast is known for its irregular rainfall patterns and long periods of drought that strongly influence the functioning of shallow lakes ( Chellappa et al., 2009 CHELLAPPA, N.T., CHELLAPPA, T., CÂMARA, F.R.A., ROCHA, O. and CHELLAPPA, S. Impact of stress and disturbance factors on the phytoplankton communities in Northeastern Brazil reservoir. Limnologica, 2009, 39(4), 277-282. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2009.06.006.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2009....
; Dantas et al., 2012 DANTAS, Ê.W., BITTENCOURT-OLIVEIRA, M.C. and MOURA, A.N. Dynamics of phytoplankton associations in three reservoirs in Northeastern Brazil assessed using Reynolds’ Theory. Limnologica, 2012, 42(1), 72-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2011.09.002.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2011....
). Environmental conditions in tropical lakes are influenced by rainfall events that modify the water volume and, consequently, the phytoplankton dynamics. Higher biomasses of algae result from the constant mixing of the water column by winds, stirring the sediment up and enabling re-alimentation, which could have enhanced the occurrence of cyanobacteria detected in this study ( Borges et al., 2008 BORGES, P.A.F., TRAIN, S. and RODRIGUES, L.C. Estrutura do fitoplâncton em curto período de tempo, em um braço do reservatório de Rosana (Ribeirão do Corvo, Paraná, Brasil). Acta Scientiarum Biological Sciences , 2008, 30(1), 57-65. ; Cunha & Calijuri, 2011 CUNHA, D.G.F. and CALIJURI, M.C. Variação sazonal dos grupos funcionais fitoplanctônicos em braços de um reservatório tropical de usos múltiplos no estado de São Paulo (Brasil). Acta Botanica Brasílica , 2011, 25(4), 822-831. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-33062011000400009.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-3306201...
; Dantas et al., 2012 DANTAS, Ê.W., BITTENCOURT-OLIVEIRA, M.C. and MOURA, A.N. Dynamics of phytoplankton associations in three reservoirs in Northeastern Brazil assessed using Reynolds’ Theory. Limnologica, 2012, 42(1), 72-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2011.09.002.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2011....
).

The highest rainfall (occurred in March) may have led to a slight instability in water column. However, this did not affect the abiotic variables, including phosphorus concentrations. Besides, the rainfall amount was enough to promote the increase in N group biomass. The N group was constituted by desmids, diatoms commonly found in oligo-mesotropic environments and tolerant to nutrient deficiency ( Reynolds et al., 2002 REYNOLDS, C.S., HUSZAR, V., KRUK, C., NASELLI-FLORES, L. and MELO, S. Towards a functional classification of the freshwater phytoplankton. Journal of Plankton Research , 2002, 24(5), 417-428. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/24.5.417.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/24.5.4...
; Padisák et al., 2009 PADISÁK, J., CROSSETTI, L.O. and NASELLIFLORES, E.L. Use and misuse in the application of the phytoplankton functional classification: a critical review with updates. Hydrobiologia, 2009, 621(1), 1-19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9645-0.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-96...
).

The Canonical Correspondence Analysis showed that water temperature, orthophosphate, total phosphorus and pH had the greatest influence on functional groups dynamics. Other studies have attributed the predominance of those variables to the prolonged periods of drought ( Cunha & Calijuri, 2011 CUNHA, D.G.F. and CALIJURI, M.C. Variação sazonal dos grupos funcionais fitoplanctônicos em braços de um reservatório tropical de usos múltiplos no estado de São Paulo (Brasil). Acta Botanica Brasílica , 2011, 25(4), 822-831. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-33062011000400009.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-3306201...
). The most important variables along axis 1 (total phosphorus and orthophosphate) directly influenced X1, S1 and K groups, showing that their occurrence is associated to warm, shallow meso-trophic environments with well-mixed water columns ( Reynolds et al., 2002 REYNOLDS, C.S., HUSZAR, V., KRUK, C., NASELLI-FLORES, L. and MELO, S. Towards a functional classification of the freshwater phytoplankton. Journal of Plankton Research , 2002, 24(5), 417-428. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/24.5.417.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/24.5.4...
).

The functional groups N, SN, and TD were associated to water temperatures and pH values (CCA), consistent with their occurrence in shallow warm waters moderately enriched and alkaline ( Cunha & Calijuri, 2011 CUNHA, D.G.F. and CALIJURI, M.C. Variação sazonal dos grupos funcionais fitoplanctônicos em braços de um reservatório tropical de usos múltiplos no estado de São Paulo (Brasil). Acta Botanica Brasílica , 2011, 25(4), 822-831. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-33062011000400009.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-3306201...
; Reynolds et al., 2002 REYNOLDS, C.S., HUSZAR, V., KRUK, C., NASELLI-FLORES, L. and MELO, S. Towards a functional classification of the freshwater phytoplankton. Journal of Plankton Research , 2002, 24(5), 417-428. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/24.5.417.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/24.5.4...
; Padisák et al., 2009 PADISÁK, J., CROSSETTI, L.O. and NASELLIFLORES, E.L. Use and misuse in the application of the phytoplankton functional classification: a critical review with updates. Hydrobiologia, 2009, 621(1), 1-19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9645-0.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-96...
). The S1 group, predominant on the temporal scale, and the SN group are associated to high temperatures and able to coexist in environments with macrophytes, due to the shade provided ( Araújo et al., 2009 ARAÚJO, G.J.M., PIRES, A.M.A., BARBOSA, J.E.L., SANTANA, R.M.C.S., SILVA, K.R.P.S. and DINIZ, C.R. Grupos funcionais e diversidade da comunidade fitoplânctonica do rio Taperoá, semiárido paraibano. In: Anais do 60° Congresso Nacional de Botânica. Feira de Santana: Sociedade Brasileira de Botânica, 2009. ; Padisák et al., 2009 PADISÁK, J., CROSSETTI, L.O. and NASELLIFLORES, E.L. Use and misuse in the application of the phytoplankton functional classification: a critical review with updates. Hydrobiologia, 2009, 621(1), 1-19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9645-0.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-96...
).

The submerged macrophyte cover and the phytoplankton biomass remained temporally and spatially stable resulting in high spatial and temporal uniformity in the abiotic variables and functional groups. However, small seasonal fluctuations between functional groups was observed, as increase of the N group and reduction of the SN associated with the rainfall period. In conclusion, the ausence of significant differences in the composition and structure of functional groups (FGs) along the macrophyte cover confirm the tendency that in small and shallow lakes communities of limnetic and coastal zones tend to be similar.

Acknowledgements

To the Federal University of Paraiba and the Limnology Laboratory (UFPB/CCA) for all their support.

  • Cite as: Silva, N. et al. Spatial and temporal dynamics of functional groups of phytoplankton in a tropical shallow lake. Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia, 2018, vol. 30, e102.

References

  • ALVARES, C.A., STAPE, J.L., SENTELHAS, P.C., GONÇALVES, J.L.M. and SPAROVEK, G. Köppen’s climate classification map for Brazil. Meteorologische Zeitschrift, 2013, 22(6), 711-728. http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2013/0507.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2013/0507
  • AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION – APHA. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 21st ed. Washington: APHA, 2005.
  • ARAÚJO, G.J.M., PIRES, A.M.A., BARBOSA, J.E.L., SANTANA, R.M.C.S., SILVA, K.R.P.S. and DINIZ, C.R. Grupos funcionais e diversidade da comunidade fitoplânctonica do rio Taperoá, semiárido paraibano. In: Anais do 60° Congresso Nacional de Botânica. Feira de Santana: Sociedade Brasileira de Botânica, 2009.
  • BORGES, P.A.F., TRAIN, S. and RODRIGUES, L.C. Estrutura do fitoplâncton em curto período de tempo, em um braço do reservatório de Rosana (Ribeirão do Corvo, Paraná, Brasil). Acta Scientiarum Biological Sciences , 2008, 30(1), 57-65.
  • CANFIELD JUNIOR, D.E., SHIREMAN, J.V., COLLE, D.E., HALLER, W.T., WATKINS II, C.E. and MACEINA, M.J. Prediction of Chlorophyll a Concentrations in Florida Lakes: Importance of Aquatic Macrophytes. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences , 1984, 41(3), 497-501. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f84-059.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f84-059
  • CHELLAPPA, N.T., CHELLAPPA, T., CÂMARA, F.R.A., ROCHA, O. and CHELLAPPA, S. Impact of stress and disturbance factors on the phytoplankton communities in Northeastern Brazil reservoir. Limnologica, 2009, 39(4), 277-282. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2009.06.006.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2009.06.006
  • COLE, G. Textbook of limnology. 2nd ed. Saint Louis: The C.V. Mosby, 1994. 283 p.
  • COSTA, D.F. and DANTAS, E.W. Diversity of community in different urban aquatic ecosystems in metropolitan João Pessoa, state of Paraíba, Brazil. Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia, 2011, 23(4), 394-405. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X2012005000018.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X2012005000018
  • CROSSETTI, L.O., BECKER, V., CARDOSO, L.S., RODRIGUES, L.R., COSTA, L.S. and MOTTA-MARQUES, D. Is phytoplankton functional classification a suitable tool to investigate spatial heterogeneity in a subtropical shallow lake? Limnologica, 2013, 43(3), 157-163. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2012.08.010.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2012.08.010
  • CUNHA, D.G.F. and CALIJURI, M.C. Variação sazonal dos grupos funcionais fitoplanctônicos em braços de um reservatório tropical de usos múltiplos no estado de São Paulo (Brasil). Acta Botanica Brasílica , 2011, 25(4), 822-831. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-33062011000400009.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-33062011000400009
  • DANTAS, Ê.W., BITTENCOURT-OLIVEIRA, M.C. and MOURA, A.N. Dynamics of phytoplankton associations in three reservoirs in Northeastern Brazil assessed using Reynolds’ Theory. Limnologica, 2012, 42(1), 72-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2011.09.002.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2011.09.002
  • FERRARI, F. Estrutura e dinâmica da comunidade de algas planctônicas e perifíticas (com ênfase nas diatomáceas) em reservatórios oligotrófico e hipertrófico, Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga, São Paulo [Tese de Doutorado]. São Paulo: Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, Universidade Estadual Paulista, 2010.
  • FONSECA, B.M. and BICUDO, C.E.M. Phytoplankton seasonal and vertical variations in a tropical shallow reservoir with abundant macrophytes (Ninféias Pond, Brazil). Hydrobiologia, 2011, 665(1), 229-245. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0626-3.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0626-3
  • HILLEBRAND, H., DÜRSELEN, C.D., KIRSCHTEL, D., POLLINGHER, D. and ZOHARY, T. Bio-volume calculation for pelagic and benthic microalgae. Journal of Phycology , 1999, 35(2), 403-424. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1529-8817.1999.3520403.x.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1529-8817.1999.3520403.x
  • HILT, S. and GROSS, E.M. Can allelopathically active submerged macrophytes stabilise clearwater states in shallow eutrophic lakes? Basic and Applied Ecology, 2008, 9(4), 422-432. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2007.04.003.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2007.04.003
  • HILT, S. Regime shifts between macrophytes and phytoplankton – concepts beyond shallow lakes, unravelling stabilizing mechanisms and practical consequences. Limnetica , 2015, 34(2), 467-480.
  • HILT, S., HENSCHKE, I., RÜCKER, J. and NIXDORF, B. Can submerged macrophytes influence turbidity and trophic state indeep lakes? Suggestions from a case study. Journal of Environmental Quality, 2010, 39(2), 725-733. http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/jeq2009.0122. PMid:20176845.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/jeq2009.0122
  • IZAGUIRRE, I., ALLENDE, L., ESCARAY, R., BUSTINGORRY, J., PÉREZ, G. and TELL, G. Comparison of morpho-functional phytoplankton classifications in human- impacted shallow lakes with different stable states. Hidrobiologia, 2012, 698(1), 203-216. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1069-1.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1069-1
  • JENSEN, P., JEPPESEN, E., OLRIK, K. and KRISTENSEN, P. Impact of nutrients and physical factors on the shift from Cyanobacterial to Chlorophyte dominance in shallow Danish lakes. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 1994, 51(8), 1692-1699. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f94-170.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f94-170
  • LUND, J.W.G., KIPLING, C. and LE CREN, E.D. The inverted microscope method of estimating algal numbers and the statistical basis of estimations by counting. Hydrobiologia , 1958, 11(2), 143-170. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00007865.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00007865
  • MATTEUCCI, S.D. and COLMA, A. Metodologia para el estudio de la vegetacion. Washington: The Genral Secretarial of the Organization of American States, 1982, 167 p. Série Biologia - Monografia, vol. 22.
  • PADISÁK, J., CROSSETTI, L.O. and NASELLIFLORES, E.L. Use and misuse in the application of the phytoplankton functional classification: a critical review with updates. Hydrobiologia, 2009, 621(1), 1-19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9645-0.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9645-0
  • PEREIRA, J.S. Estrutura e Dinâmica da comunidade fitoplanctônica no período de cinco anos em ambiente mesotrófico (Lago das Ninféias), Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga [Tese de Doutorado]. São Paulo: Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências de Rio Claro, 2013, 94 p.
  • PINTO, P. T. and O’FARRELL, I. Regime shifts between free-floating plants and phytoplankton: a review. Hydrobiologia, 2014, 740(1), 13-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-1943-0.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-1943-0
  • POOLE, H.H. and ATKINS, W.R.G. Photo-electric measurements of submarine illumination throughout the year. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India, 1929, 16(1), 297-324. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315400029829.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315400029829
  • REYNOLDS, C.S., HUSZAR, V., KRUK, C., NASELLI-FLORES, L. and MELO, S. Towards a functional classification of the freshwater phytoplankton. Journal of Plankton Research , 2002, 24(5), 417-428. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/24.5.417.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/24.5.417
  • ROS, J. Práctica de ecología. Barcelona: Omega, 1979.
  • SANCHÉZ, M.L., LAGOMARSINO, L., ALLENDE, L. and IZAGUIRRE, I. Changes in the phytoplankton structure in a Pampean shallow lake in the transition from a clear to a turbid regime. Hydrobiologia, 2015, 752(1), 65-76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-2010-6.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-2010-6
  • SCHEFFER, M. and JEPPESEN, E. Regime shifts in shallow lakes. Ecosystems (New York, N.Y.), 2007, 10(1), 1-3. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10021-006-9002-y.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10021-006-9002-y
  • SCHEFFER, M., HOSPER, S.H., MEIJER, M.-L., MOSS, B. and JEPPESEN, E. Alternative equilibria in shallow lakes. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 1993, 8(8), 275-279. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0169-5347(93)90254-M. PMid:21236168.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0169-5347(93)90254-M
  • SUN, J. and LIU, D. Geometric models for calculating cell bio-volume and surface area for phytoplankton. Journal of Plankton Research, 2003, 25(11), 1331-1346. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/fbg096.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/fbg096
  • UTERMÖHL, H. Zur Vervoll kommnung der quantitativen phytoplankton-methodic. Mitteilungen Internationale Vereinigung für Theoretische und Angewandte Limnologie , 1958, 9, 1-38.
  • WETZEL, R.G. and LIKENS, G.E. Limnological analyses Berlim: Springer, 2000, 429 p. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-3250-4.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-3250-4

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    2018

History

  • Received
    07 Dec 2016
  • Accepted
    07 Aug 2017
Associação Brasileira de Limnologia Av. 24 A, 1515, 13506-900 Rio Claro-SP/Brasil, Tel.:(55 19)3526 4227 - Rio Claro - SP - Brazil
E-mail: actalimno@gmail.com