Seasonal variation in the periphytic algal community structure onPanicum repens in a shallow reservoir

Abstract

This study evaluated the periphytic algal community structure on Panicum repens at macrophytes pluriespecifics sites in shallow reservoir (Ninféias Reservoir, São Paulo, Brazil). The aim was to evaluate changes in species composition and abundance, as well as identify the environmental factors most related to the variation of the periphyton structural attributes. Sampling sites with presence of three and four macrophytes species (n = 3) were randomly selected in seasons (04/2010, 06/2010, 11/2010, 02/2011). Climate and water variables, cover macrophyte and periphyton structural attributes were analyzed. Bacillariophyceae and Chrysophyceae were the most abundant algal class andFrustulia crassinervia and Chromulina elegans were the most representative species. The highest biomass and algal density and the lowest autotrophic index were found in summer, showing the further development of the algal community. Our results showed that changes in the periphyton structure on P. repens were determined primarily by seasonality. We conclude that periphyton abundance, biomass and composition changed greatly between the seasons and the light and nutrients availability, particularly phosphorus, were the variables most associated with the community structural changes during the study period.

Key words:
biomass; periphyton; species composition; algal density; perifíton