Annual production to biomass (P/B) ratios of pelagic ciliates in different temperate waters

Abstract

In aquatic environments, ciliates integrate the energy flowing through bacteria, smaller protozoa, and the prevailing fraction of algae and are further grazed upon by metazooplankton. Ciliates are incorporated into budgets and models describing ecosystem functioning. However, data for the parameterization and validation of models remain insufficient. In this study, annual production to biomass (P/B) ratios of pelagic ciliates were estimated in four lakes of different trophic status and at two sites located in the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea. All study sites were located in the temperate zone. The calculations were based on bulk data reflecting seasonal changes in ciliate production, which was estimated using an allometric equation. The annual ciliate P/B ratio for surface waters was 308 ± 81 yr

Planktonic communities in a small post-peat reservoir (Ustka Forest District, Poland)

“…Spring and autumn peaks in ciliate abundance are usually observed in surface waters in the temperate climatic zone (reviewed by Rychert et al 2016). In this study, no such distinct peaks were recorded and seasonal changes in ciliate abundance were irregular (not shown).…”