THE LITTORAL ZONE ALGAE AND ZOOPLANKTON Attached algal

THE LITTORAL ZONE ALGAE AND ZOOPLANKTON

Attached algal habitats in a generalized river ecosystem

Algae and bacteria on a sand grain

Diagram of an epiphyte biofilm and nutrient flow within the community

SEM micrographs of periphyton biofilms on Chara

Model of a periphyton community showing relationships between algae and bacteria

Intact biofilm showing clusters of algae and bacteria

Model of interactions between phytoplankton/ bacterioplankton and epiphytic algae & bacteria

Comparison between periphyton habitats relative to surface areas for attachment

Variations in particle size around an obstacle in a stream

As periphyton communities develop, nutrient demand increases but diffusion rates from the water decreases

Seasonal variation in epipelic diatoms and cyanobacteria in two English lakes

Seasonal carbon content of epiphytes on Scirpus subterminalis in Lawrence Lake

Generalized relationship between submerged macrophytes and periphyton

Interactions between the littoral zone and open water in lakes

Spatial variations in periphyton

Primary production of periphyton and phytoplankton

Epipelic algal production in Marion Lake, BC

Periphyton production on emergent and submerged epiphytes

Model of macrophyte, periphyton, and phytoplankton production in a lake

Number of littoral-dominated versus pelagic-dominated lakes on earth

Chydorids in beds of Scirpus subterminalis

Wetzel’s Summary RIVERS RESERVOIRS LAKES WETLANDS Periphyton diversity Low (channel) Moderate (wetlands) Low in epilithic algae High in epiphytic algae Very high Periphyton biomass and production Low in-channel Low Moderate to high in wetlands and backwaters High to very high Very high Herbivory pressures on periphyton Moderate to high Low to moderate Low Littoral zooplankton Low Very low High Relatively low