Aim Species richness and abundance are important elements in understanding communities’ dynamics. In this way we evaluated the spatial and temporal variation of phytoplankton richness and density in a tropical reservoir, and its main drivers. We tested whether the temporal variability of the hydrological cycle influences the phytoplankton, in addition to testing the main environmental variables that influence richness and density. Methods Data from environmental variables and phytoplankton were sampled in different regions of João Leite reservoir, Goiás, Brazil, during a dry and rainy period, and were analyzed by Principal Component Analysis, Student's t-test and Bioenv. Results We recorded distinct environmental scenarios between the dry and rainy period, with temporal differences in richness. Sixty-two taxa were recorded, with cyanobacterial predominance in both hydrological periods and in the lentic reservoir regions. Water temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and nutrient concentrations were the main drivers of phytoplankton richness and density in our study. Conclusions The richness and abundance of species directly reflect the determining factors in the structure of communities, generating important information about ecosystem functions. Therefore, understanding the environmental variability on phytoplankton richness and abundance in tropical reservoirs is essential, since the construction of reservoirs influences aquatic biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.