1. Based on a comprehensive data set collected monthly during 8 years (1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004), we evaluated the effects of mechanical removal of Eichhornia crassipes on the limnological characteristics and algal biomass of a polymictic shallow tropical reservoir. 2. Interrupted time series analyses indicated that the limnological responses to macrophyte removal can be classified as an 'abrupt permanent impact' implying that the overall mean of the time-series shifted promptly after intervention. These analyses indicated a significant increase for pH, total phosphorus, total phytoplankton and cyanobacterial biomass, and a decrease in water transparency and CO 2 concentrations in the surface water; also, the increase in water stability, increase of bottom soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and decrease in bottom oxygen levels. 3. Cyclic anoxic periods previously observed during springs and summers were replaced by a persistent period of anoxic conditions in the sediment overlying water. Anoxic conditions were suitable for SRP release from sediments. Heavy cyanobacterial blooms became more persistent, maximum biomass (4229 mm 3 L )1 ) was 30 times larger, the blooms frequently reached 2 m and sometimes the bottom of the reservoir, contrasting to the preremoval period in which it reached at most 1 m deep. 4. The long-term P dynamics in the system, initially driven by allochthonous nutrient loadings were replaced by internal ecological processes. Water hyacinth removal markedly accelerated the process of eutrophication due to internal feedback mechanisms, leading to a switch to a more turbid state. Biological feedback mechanisms were driven by cyanobacterial blooms by enhancing water stability, oxygen anoxia at the bottom and by increasing suitable conditions for P internal loading. These data support the hypothesis of the role of cyanobacterial blooms as an important factor impairing water quality and driving the ecosystem towards a stable degraded state. 5. These findings have important implications for the restoration of shallow stratifying eutrophic lakes, as the alternative degraded state is most likely to occur when compared with their non-stratifying counterparts. Moreover, feedback mechanisms in tropical and subtropical shallow lakes seem to be stronger than in temperate ones, as stratification events are more likely to occur over the year, intensifying system resilience to restorative strategies.

-(Similarity among periphyton algal communities in a lentic-lotic gradient of the upper Paraná river floodplain, Brazil). Floristic comparison of periphyton communities from three systems with different hydrodynamic regimes (lentic, semilotic, and lotic) was carried out during high and low water periods on the Upper Paraná River floodplain. For each period and system, glass slides were sampled every two days during 18-day periods, and Eichhornia azurea Kunth petioles were sampled three times. A total of 228 species was collected, representing 12 classes, mainly diatoms and desmids. The highest species-richness was found in communities from lentic system and during high water. Species richness in the lotic system was more stable over succession and hydrological periods. Algal taxonomic structure in river community was clearly separated from the other two systems, with 43% of similarity level. The hydrological period was next in importance, followed last by the substratum type, with communities associated at 65-78% similarity levels, depending on system and hydrological period. The type of system, but not the water levels,was the main factor that influenced community richness, followed by disturbances caused by flood pulses and the operation of reservoirs upstream. The periphyton on artificial and natural substrata presented high degree of similarity.RESUMO -(Similaridade entre comunidades de algas perifíticas em um gradiente lêntico-lótico da planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná, Brasil). Comparação florística entre as comunidades perifíticas de três sistemas com distintos regimes hidrodinâmicos (lêntico, semilótico e lótico), abrangendo períodos de águas altas e baixas, foi realizada a partir de substratos artificial e natural. Lâminas de vidro foram coletadas a cada dois dias durante 18 dias e pecíolos de Eichhornia azurea Kunth três vezes em cada ocasião. O perifíton apresentou, como um todo, 228 espécies de algas distribuídas em 12 classes, com a maior representatividade de diatomáceas e desmídias. Maior riqueza foi, invariavelmente, encontrada no sistema lêntico e no período de águas altas. A ficoflórula perifítica foi caracterizada, principalmente, pelo regime hidrodinâmico e pela morfometria do ambiente, havendo nítida separação da comunidade do sistema lótico em relação à dos outros dois sistemas, agrupados a 43% de similaridade. Em seguida, o período hidrológico foi mais importante e, por último, o tipo de substrato, cujas comunidades se associaram a 65-78% de similaridade, dependendo do sistema e período hidrológico. Conclui-se que o tipo de ambiente e não o regime hidrológico exerceu a maior influência sobre a riqueza específica da comunidade; e que as perturbações causadas pelos pulsos de inundação e pela operação dos reservatórios influenciaram, marcadamente, as flutuações da riqueza específica das comunidades perifíticas. Finalmente, as comunidades epifíticas foram floristicamente bem representadas pelos substratos artificiais.

BackgroundThe regression of similarity against distance unites several ecological phenomena, and thus provides a highly useful approach for illustrating the spatial turnover across sites. Our aim was to test whether the rates of decay in community similarity differ between diatom growth forms suggested to show different dispersal ability. We hypothesized that the diatom group with lower dispersal ability (i.e. periphyton) would show higher distance decay rates than a group with higher dispersal ability (i.e. plankton).Methods/Principal findingsPeriphyton and phytoplankton samples were gathered at sites distributed over an area of approximately 800 km length in the Negro River, Amazon basin, Brazil, South America (3°08′00″S; 59°54′30″W). Distance decay relationships were then estimated using distance-based regressions, and the coefficients of these regressions were compared among the groups with different dispersal abilities to assess our predictions. We found evidence that different tributaries and reaches of the Negro River harbor different diatom communities. As expected, the rates of distance decay in community similarity were higher for periphyton than for phytoplankton indicating the lower dispersal ability of periphytic taxa.Conclusions/SignificanceOur study demonstrates that the comparison of distance decay relationships among taxa with similar ecological requirements, but with different growth form and thus dispersal ability provides a sound approach to evaluate the effects of dispersal ability on beta diversity patterns. Our results are also in line with the growing body of evidence indicating that microorganisms exhibit biogeographic patterns. Finally, we underscore that clumbing all microbial taxa into one group may be a flawed approach to test whether microbes exhibit biogeographic patterns.

No abstract

No abstract

-(Periphytic algal community succession in a tropical oligotrophic reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil): comparison between dry and rainy periods). This study aimed at evaluating the time scale influence (successional and seasonal) on the periphyton biomass, diversity, and algal community structure in a tropical oligotrophic reservoir, southeast Brazil. Succession process was followed during dry and rainy periods by every 3-day samplings over 27 days, and included 16 abiotic variables and periphyton properties on artificial substrate. Chlorophyll-a values were low and similar between periods, however, with the highest loss rates observed during the rainy season. Shannon diversity was high (3.4-4.5 bits ind -1 ) and relatively stable among periods and along the entire succession. Chlorophyceae was the most abundant class over succession, mainly represented by Chlamydomonas planctogloea Skuja that contributed with 23% (dry) and 37% (rainy) of the mean total density. Integrated analysis of species and environmental variables revealed climatic period as the main driving force on periphyton structure. Oocystis lacustris Chodat and Gymnodinium sp. were associated with dry period and lower temperature and ammonium values, as well as with higher pH, dissolved oxygen, and total phosphorus levels. Frustulia rhomboides (Ehr.) de Toni var. rhomboides and Cosmarium majae Strom were associated with rainy season and, inversely, to the dry season abiotic variables. Periphyton community was mainly controlled by the climatic period, the autogenic succession being of less importance. Photosynthetic biomass accrual process and periphytic algal species assemblages were more sensitive to such variation. Present results contribute to a better understanding of the periphyton community structuring in oligotrophic reservoirs, providing a reference for changes in degraded tropical systems.

Ecological preferences and distribution of Aulacoseira species in southeastern Brazilian reservoirs with varying trophic states were studied. One hundred and fourteen plankton samples (winter and summer) from 57 sites located in 16 reservoirs were analysed. Ten water quality parameters were measured. Ten Aulacoseira species were identified using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and new information on their ecological preferences is provided here. Our results indicate that trophic gradient is the main driver of species distribution. Principal components analysis and calculation of weighted average nutrient optima revealed three indicator taxa, Aulacoseira tenella characteristic for oligotrophic waters and two varieties of Aulacoseira granulata (nominate and var. angustissima) typical for eutrophic reservoirs. This is the first ecological study of Aulacoseira in Brazil, adding information on the distribution of this genus in the tropics, and highlighting the need for species-level identification and regional studies to improve the use of diatoms in water quality assessment.

No abstract