Transcript THE LITTORAL ZONE - Susquehanna University

THE LITTORAL ZONE
ALGAE AND ZOOPLANKTON
Attached algal habitats in a generalized
river ecosystem
Algae and bacteria on a sand grain
Diagram of an epiphyte biofilm and
nutrient flow within the community
SEM micrographs
of periphyton
biofilms on Chara
Model of a
periphyton
community
showing
relationships
between
algae and
bacteria
Intact
biofilm
showing
clusters of
algae and
bacteria
Model of
interactions
between
phytoplankton/
bacterioplankton
and epiphytic
algae & bacteria
Comparison
between
periphyton
habitats
relative to
surface
areas for
attachment
Variations in particle size around an
obstacle in a stream
As periphyton
communities
develop,
nutrient
demand
increases but
diffusion rates
from the
water
decreases
Seasonal variation in epipelic diatoms
and cyanobacteria in two English lakes
Seasonal carbon content of epiphytes on
Scirpus subterminalis in Lawrence Lake
Generalized relationship between
submerged macrophytes and periphyton
Interactions between the littoral zone and
open water in lakes
Spatial variations in periphyton
Primary production of periphyton and
phytoplankton
Epipelic algal production in Marion
Lake, BC
Periphyton production on emergent
and submerged epiphytes
Model of macrophyte, periphyton, and
phytoplankton production in a lake
Number of littoral-dominated versus
pelagic-dominated lakes on earth
Chydorids in beds of Scirpus subterminalis
Wetzel’s Summary
RIVERS
RESERVOIRS
LAKES
WETLANDS
Periphyton
diversity
Low (channel)
Moderate
(wetlands)
Low
Low in epilithic
algae
High in
epiphytic algae
Very high
Periphyton
biomass and
production
Low inchannel
Moderate to
high in
wetlands and
backwaters
Low
High to very
high
Very high
Herbivory
pressures on
periphyton
Moderate to
high
Low
Low to
moderate
Low
Littoral
zooplankton
Low
Very low
High
Relatively low