Nutrient Limitation of Algal Biomass Accrual in Streams: Seasonal Patterns and a Comparison of Methods

Francoeur, Steven N.; Biggs, Barry J. F.; Smith, R. Jeffrey; Lowe, Rex L.

doi:10.2307/1468463

Cited by 140 publications

(118 citation statements)

References 44 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

108

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…3). Increased benthic algal growth at enhanced nutrient supply is a wellknown phenomenon (Francoeur et al, 1999). We found an increased rate of microbial degradation (fine mesh bags) in the nutrient treatments (Tab.…”

Section: Effects Of Flow Increase and Nutrients On Leaf Litter Degradsupporting

confidence: 51%

Effects of flow events and nutrient addition on stream periphyton and macroinvertebrates: an experimental study using flumes

Bækkelie

Schneider

Hagman

et al. 2017

Knowl. Manag. Aquat. Ecosyst.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

-We used flume experiments to study the effects of a temporary increase in stream flow on macroinvertebrates, leaf litter breakdown and soft-bodied benthic algae; both as a single stressor and eventually in combination with an increase in nutrient supply. In order to understand how well the flumes reflected the nearby stream ecosystem, we compared species composition of macroinvertebrates and benthic algae between the flumes and the nearby stream from which the flumes were supplied with water. As single stressors, nutrient addition and an increased flow velocity from 1.3 to 2.8 cm s À 1 lead to an increase in the biomass of benthic algae, likely reflecting an improved transfer of nutrients into algal patches. However, the combined effect of flow and nutrient addition was smaller than the sum of both individual effects, likely because an increased biomass also was more susceptible to scouring. We found differences in macroinvertebrate and benthic algal taxon identity and abundance between stream and flumes. Since biodiversity is assumed to stabilize ecological functioning in response to disturbances and variation, we conclude that care should be taken in applying results from small scale experiments to stream ecosystems. Nous avons utilisé des expériences en canaux pour étudier les effets d'une augmentation temporaire du débit sur les macroinvertébrés, la dégradation de la litière foliaire et les algues benthiques à corps mou, à la fois comme stresseur unique et éventuellement en combinaison avec une augmentation de l'apport en éléments nutritifs. Afin de comprendre dans quelle mesure les canaux reflétaient bien l'écosystème du cours d'eau voisin, nous avons comparé la composition spécifique des macroinvertébrés et des algues benthiques entre les canaux et le cours d'eau voisin qui alimentait les canaux en eau. En tant que stresseurs uniques, l'ajout de nutriments et une vitesse d'écoulement accrue de 1,3 à 2,8 cm s À 1 entraînent une augmentation de la biomasse des algues benthiques, ce qui reflète probablement un meilleur transfert des nutriments dans le périphyton algal. Toutefois, l'effet combiné du débit et de l'adjonction de nutriments était plus faible que la somme des deux effets individuels, probablement parce qu'une biomasse accrue était aussi plus susceptible de se décoller. Nous avons trouvé des différences dans l'identité et l'abondance des taxons de macroinvertébrés et des taxons d'algues benthiques entre le cours d'eau et les canaux. Puisque la biodiversité est supposée stabiliser le fonctionnement écologique en réponse aux perturbations et aux variations, nous concluons qu'il faut faire preuve de prudence dans l'application aux écosystèmes des cours d'eau des résultats d'expériences à petite échelle.

show abstract

Section: Effects Of Flow Increase and Nutrients On Leaf Litter Degradsupporting

confidence: 51%

Effects of flow events and nutrient addition on stream periphyton and macroinvertebrates: an experimental study using flumes

Bækkelie

Schneider

Hagman

et al. 2017

Knowl. Manag. Aquat. Ecosyst.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…4). Had productivity been limited by one nutrient or the other, ambient availability of the nonlimiting nutrient should have allowed at least a small response to addition of the limiting nutrient alone, as is often observed (Francouer 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Top-down and bottom-up controls on periphyton biomass and productivity in Lake Tanganyika

2006

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We studied the effects of nutrient availability and grazers on periphyton in the littoral zone of Lake Tanganyika. Using a combination of dissolved nutrient ratios, nutrient diffusing substrates, and benthic productivity responses to nutrient supplementation, we evaluated whether nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) limited periphyton productivity near Kigoma, Tanzania, during the dry seasons of 2001 and 2002. The relative effects of grazers and nutrients on periphyton were quantified by manipulating grazer access to nutrient diffusing substrates. We found very low ambient concentrations of inorganic N and soluble reactive P, but generally higher concentrations of dissolved organic nutrients. Nutrient diffusing substrates indicated a shift from P limitation in 2001 to co-limitation by N and P in 2002, probably as a consequence of unusual coastal upwelling in 2002. Productivity responses of natural epilithic algae to nutrient supplementation also indicated N-P co-limitation in 2002. However, fish and other large grazers had much stronger effects on periphyton than nutrients. Grazers strongly suppressed periphyton biomass, but had weaker negative effects on area-specific gross primary productivity as a result of large increases in biomass-specific gross primary productivity. We conclude that littoral nutrient availability influenced periphyton productivity, but that top-down control predominated.

show abstract

“…Thus, early in the study nutrient ratios did not indicate which nutrient would limit periphyton accrual. A recent study in New Zealand streams also found N : P ratios in stream water and periphyton to be of limited use in predicting nutrient limitation (Francoeur et al 1999). On days 17 and 28 of our study there was some indication that algae may have responded to P concentration, as biovolume was lowest at the lowest P concentration (ambient treatment).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of N: P ratio and total nutrient concentration on stream periphyton community structure, biomass, and elemental composition

Stelzer

Lamberti

2001

Limnology & Oceanography

229

154

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The effects of nutrient ratios on algal community structure and algal growth have been examined extensively in lakes and marine environments, but rarely in streams. We manipulated stream water N : P ratio (65 : 1, 17 : 1, 4 : 1) and total nutrient concentration (low and high) in a factorial experiment using once-through streamside flumes and measured responses in abundance, community structure, and elemental composition of periphyton communities. Early in the experiment, periphyton chlorophyll a and total algal biovolume were higher for treatments where N was added (high total nutrient concentration) but were not affected by N : P ratio. This response is contrary to our prediction that P would limit periphyton growth based on the high N : P ratio in the source water and unamended periphyton mats. The relative abundance of nine of eleven common algal taxa was affected by N : P ratio, total nutrient concentration, or both. Overall, algal community structure was more sensitive than bulk measures of periphyton abundance to changes in N : P ratio and total nutrient concentration. Periphyton %N and %P increased with the N and P concentration of stream water, and periphyton N : P tracked stream water N : P ratio. Responses in periphyton chemical composition to nutrients could affect the food quality of periphyton for consumers.

show abstract

Nutrient Limitation of Algal Biomass Accrual in Streams: Seasonal Patterns and a Comparison of Methods

Cited by 140 publications

References 44 publications

Effects of flow events and nutrient addition on stream periphyton and macroinvertebrates: an experimental study using flumes

Effects of flow events and nutrient addition on stream periphyton and macroinvertebrates: an experimental study using flumes

Top-down and bottom-up controls on periphyton biomass and productivity in Lake Tanganyika

Effects of N: P ratio and total nutrient concentration on stream periphyton community structure, biomass, and elemental composition

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About