Document of bibliographic reference 2965

BibliographicReference record

Type

Bibliographic resource

Type of document

Journal article

BibLvlCode

AS

Title

Structural characteristics of phytoplankton assemblages in tidal and non-tidal freshwater systems: a case study from the Schelde basin, Belgium

Abstract

1. The Schelde estuary, its side basins and their tributaries were sampled in August 1995 and April 1996 for phytoplankton abundance, biomass and species composition. In order to clarify the underlying causes of differences in phytoplanton communities, the results were related to some important abiotic variables.
2. Although species richness and diversity did not differ significantly between the riverine and the freshwater tidal stations, multivariate ordination techniques based on species abundances differentiate between these two ecosystems. While in the rivers phytoplankton standing stocks were as high in summer as in spring, standing stocks in the freshwater tidal estuary were significantly higher in the August samples.
3. It is postulated that due to the resuspension of suspended solids by estuarine currents, light is limiting phytoplankton development in the freshwater tidal reaches in spring. At that stage, phytoplankton populations have already developed in the rivers. In summer, zooplankton prevent any further increase of riverine phytoplankton populations. In the freshwater tidal estuary, however, increased light levels, a higher residence time compared to rivers and the absence of zooplankton due to low oxygen concentrations permit phytoplankton populations to bloom.

WebOfScience code

https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS%3AA1997YF50700003

Bibliographic citation

Muylaert, K.; Van Kerckvoorde, A.; Vyverman, W.; Sabbe, K. (1997). Structural characteristics of phytoplankton assemblages in tidal and non-tidal freshwater systems: a case study from the Schelde basin, Belgium. Freshwat. Biol. 38(2): 263-276. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2427.1997.00211.x

location created

Univeristy of Gent, Laboratory of Botany

Topic

Fresh water

Brakish water

Is peer reviewed

true