Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Stoichiometry in Cascade Ponds in an Agricultural Small Watershed and Their Influencing Factors

Abstract

Ecological stoichiometry of nitrogen and phosphorus is an important indicator to characterize the nitrogen and phosphorus trophic status in aquatic ecosystems. The study of the spatio-temporal patterns of nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry is beneficial to the nitrogen and phosphorus pollution management in pond ecosystems. In this study, 18 groups (36 in total) of typical cascade ponds were selected as long-term observations to investigate the spatial distribution patterns of nitrogen and phosphorus component ratios (ratio of total nitrogen to phosphorus: TN:TP, ratio of dissolved nitrogen to phosphorus: TDN:TDP, ratio of particulate nitrogen to phosphorus: PN:PP) in water bodies in the tropical agricultural watershed of Jinjing. The results showed that the average values of TN:TP and TDN:TDP in the upstream ponds were 26.4 and 53.4, respectively, and were more than those in the downstream (22.95 and 48.1, respectively). In contrast, the PN:PP (13.78) in the upstream was significantly lower than that of the downstream (30.39). Furthermore, the factors of rainfall, agricultural land use and fish farming influenced the spatio-temporal variability of the N:P ratios. The ratios of TN:TP and TDN:TDP were higher in the wet season and lower in the dry season. Agricultural land use and fish farming reduced the ratios of the above three nitrogen and phosphorus components in cascade ponds in the study area. Our results show that strengthening agricultural land pollution control and aquaculture management could help to improve water quality of pond ecosystems in the study area.