The influence of macrophyte ecological groups on food web components of temperate freshwater lakes
Laen...
Kuupäev
2022
Kättesaadav alates
Ajakirja pealkiri
Ajakirja ISSN
Köite pealkiri
Kirjastaja
Elsevier
Abstrakt
Aquatic macrophyte taxonomic composition, species abundance and cover determine the physical structure,
complexity and heterogeneity of aquatic habitats – the structuring role of macrophytes. These traits influence
richness, distribution, feeding and strength of the relationships between food web communities in lakes. The aim
of this study was to determine how lakes with different dominating macrophyte ecological groups affect
planktonic food web components, emphasising the influence on young of year (YOY) fish and large (≥1 +) fish
community. We hypothesised that different dominating macrophyte ecological groups have different structural
effects on food web components and YOY fish growth, abundance and feeding. Studied lakes categorised into
three different macrophyte ecological groups – lakes dominated by emergent, floating+floating-leaved or submerged
vegetation. We found that all dominating ecological groups had a strong influence on plankton communities
(except heterotrophic bacterioplankton and nanoflagellates), YOY fish and large fish. Floating-leaved
plant dominance was positively related to planktonic food web structure and YOY fish weight, length, abundance
and the consumption of zooplankton as a prey of all major species of YOY fishes. Larger fish tended to favour the
presence of emergent vegetation. This conclusion has important implications for local managers and conservationists
in respect to the maintenance and protection of littoral habitats and fish resources.
The project is financed by the European Regional Development Fund, the State budget of the Republic of Latvia and the foundation “Institute for Environmental Solutions”. Also, this project has received funding from the European Union‘s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 951963.
The project is financed by the European Regional Development Fund, the State budget of the Republic of Latvia and the foundation “Institute for Environmental Solutions”. Also, this project has received funding from the European Union‘s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 951963.
Kirjeldus
Märksõnad
macrophytes, structuring role, littoral, pelagic, food web, fish larvae, fish, lake management, articles