Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Zooplankton–phytoplankton relationships in shallow subtropical versus temperate lakes Apopka (Florida, USA) and Trasimeno (Umbria, Italy)

  • Primary research paper
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

An Erratum to this article was published on 30 November 2010

Abstract

This study compares and contrasts the dynamics of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and nutrients in two of the largest shallow lakes in the USA (Lake Apopka, Florida) and Europe (Lago Trasimeno, Umbria, Italy) and considers particularly the biomass ratio of zooplankton to phytoplankton (BZ:BP) in relation to nutrient levels and in the context of data from other subtropical and temperate lakes. Lake Apopka is hypereutrophic with higher concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), nitrogen (TN), and nearly an order of magnitude higher BP than Lago Trasimeno. However, combined data from the two lakes can be fit to a single log–log regression model that explains 72% of the variability in BP based on TP. In contrast, BZ has a significant positive log–log relationship with TP only for Lago Trasimeno, and is much lower than expected based on the TP concentrations observed in Lake Apopka. Lake Apopka has a fish assemblage that includes high densities of gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) and threadfin shad (D. petenense), similar to other eutrophic Florida lakes that also have extreme low BZ. The ratio BZ:BP is below 0.01 in Lake Apopka, 10-fold lower than in Trasimeno and among the lowest values reported in the literature. Although stress of high water temperature and a greater proportion of inedible cyanobacteria may be contributing factors, the collective results support an emerging view that fish predation limits the biomass of crustacean zooplankton in subtropical lakes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Auer, B., U. Elzer & H. Arndt, 2004. Comparison of pelagic food webs in lakes along a trophic gradient and with seasonal aspects: influence of resource and predation. Journal of Plankton Research 26: 697–709.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Battoe, L. E., M. F. Coveney, E. J. Lowe & D. L. Stites, 1999. The role of phosphorus reduction and export in the restoration of Lake Apopka, Florida. In Reddy, K. R., G. A. O’Conner & C. L. Schelske (eds), Phosphorus Biogeochemistry of Subtropical Ecosystems. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL: 511–526.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blancher, E. C., 1984. Zooplankton–trophic state relationships in some north and central Florida lakes. Hydrobiologia 109: 251–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, J. L. & S. I. Dodson, 1965. Predation, body size and the composition of plankton. Science 150: 28–35.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bull, L. A., D. D. Fox, L. J. Davis, K. Miller & J. G. Wullschleger, 1995. Fish distribution in the limnetic zone of Lake Okeechobee, Florida. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, Advances in Limnology 45: 333–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canfield, D. E. Jr., R. W. Bachmann & M. V. Hoyer, 2000. A management alternative for Lake Apopka. Lake and Reservoir Management 16: 205–221.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carrick, H. J., F. J. Aldridge & C. L. Schelske, 1993. Wind influences phytoplankton biomass and species composition in a shallow productive lake. Limnology and Oceanography 38: 1179–1192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coveney, M. F., E. F. Lowe, L. E. Battoe, E. R. Marzolf & R. Conrow, 2005. Response of a eutrophic, shallow subtropical lake to reduced nutrient loading. Freshwater Biology 50: 1718–1730.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crisman, T. L. & J. R. Beaver, 1990. Applicability of planktonic biomanipulation for managing eutrophication in the subtropics. Hydrobiologia 200: 177–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crisman, T. L., E. J. Phlips & J. R. Beaver, 1995. Zooplankton seasonality and trophic state relationships in Lake Okeechobee, Florida. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, Advances in Limnology 45: 213–232.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Bernardi, R. & G. Giussani, 1990. Are blue-green algae a suitable food for zooplankton? An overview. Hydrobiologia 200: 29–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dumont, H. J., 1994. On the diversity of Cladocera in the tropics. Hydrobiologia 272: 27–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dumont, H. J., I. Van de Velde & S. Dumont, 1975. The dry weight estimate of biomass in a selection of Cladocera, Copepoda and Rotifera from the plankton, periphyton and benthos of continental waters. Oecologia 19: 75–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elmore, J. L., B. C. Cowell & D. S. Vodopich, 1984. Biological communities of three subtropical Florida lakes of different trophic character. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie 100: 455–478.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernando, C. H., 1994. Zooplankton, fish and fisheries in tropical reservoirs. Hydrobiologia 272: 105–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gillooly, J. F. & S. I. Dodson, 2000. Latitudinal patterns in the size distribution and seasonal dynamics of new world, freshwater cladocerans. Limnology and Oceanography 45: 22–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gliwicz, Z. M. & E. Seidlar, 1980. Food size limitation and algae interfering with food collection in Daphnia. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie 88: 155–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guest, W. C., R. W. Drenner, S. T. Threlkeld, F. D. Martin & J. D. Smith, 1990. Effects of gizzard shad and threadfin shad on zooplankton and young-of-the-year white crappie production. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 100: 529–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gyllström, M., L. A. Hansson, E. Jeppesen, G. García-Criado, E. Gross, K. Irvine, T. Kairesalo, R. Kornijow, M. R. Miracle, M. Nykänen, T. Nõges, S. Romo, D. Stephen, E. Van Donk & B. Moss, 2005. The role of climate in shaping zooplankton communities of shallow lakes. Limnology and Oceanography 50: 2008–2021.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamza, W., P. Pandolfi & M. I. Taticchi, 1995. Planktonic interactions and their role in describing the trophic status of a shallow lake in Central Italy (Lake Trasimeno). Memorie dell’Istituto Italiano di Idrobiologie 53: 125–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Havens, K. E. & T. L. East, 1997. Carbon dynamics in the grazing food chain of a subtropical lake. Journal of Plankton Research 19: 1687–1711.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Havens, K. E. & T. L. East, 2006. Plankton food web responses to experimental nutrient additions in a subtropical lake. TheScientificWorldJournal 6: 827–833.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Havens, K. E., T. L. East & J. R. Beaver, 1996. Experimental studies of zooplankton-phytoplankton-nutrient interactions in a large subtropical lake (Lake Okeechobee, Florida, USA). Freshwater Biology 36: 579–597.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Havens, K. E., H. J. Carrick, E. J. Lowe & M. F. Coveney, 1999. Contrasting relationships between nutrients, chlorophyll a and Secchi transparency in two shallow subtropical lakes: Lake Okeechobee and Apopka (Florida, USA). Lake and Reservoir Management 15: 298–309.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Havens, K. E., T. L. East, J. Marcus, P. Essex, B. Bolan, S. Raymond & J. R. Beaver, 2000. Dynamics of the exotic Daphnia lumholtzii and native macro-zooplankton in a subtropical chain-of-lakes in Florida, USA. Freshwater Biology 45: 21–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Havens, K. E., J. R. Beaver & T. L. East, 2007. Plankton biomass partitioning in a eutrophic subtropical lake: comparison with results from temperate lake ecosystems. Journal of Plankton Research 18: 1605–1625.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hessen, D. O., 1989. Factors determining the nutritive status and production of zooplankton in a humic lake. Journal of Plankton Research 11: 649–664.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holanov, S. H. & J. C. Tash, 1978. Particulate and filter feeding in threadfin shad, Dorosoma petenense, at different light intensities. Journal of Fish Biology 13: 619–625.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ibelings, B. W. & K. E. Havens, 2007. Cyanobacterial toxins: a qualitative meta-analysis of concentrations, dosage and effects in freshwater, estuarine and marine biota. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 619: 685–744.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iglesias, C., N. Mazzeo, G. Goyenola, C. Fosalba, F. Teixeira de Mello, S. García & E. Jeppesen, 2008. Field and experimental evidence of the effect of Jenynsia multidentata, a small omnivorous-planktivorous fish, on the size distribution of zooplankton in subtropical lakes. Freshwater Biology 53: 1797–1807.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeppesen, E., J. P. Jensen, M. Søndergaard, T. Lauridsen, L. J. Pedersen & L. Jensen, 1997. Top-down control in freshwater lakes: the role of nutrient state, submerged macrophytes and water depth. Hydrobiologia 342: 151–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeppesen, E. J., M. Søndergaard, J. P. Jensen, K. E. Havens, et al., 2005. Lake responses to reduced nutrient loading—an analysis of contemporary long-term data from 35 case studies. Freshwater Biology 50: 1747–1771.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jeppesen, E. J., M. Meerhoff, B. A. Jacobsen, R. S. Hansen, M. Søndergaard, J. P. Jensen, T. L. Lauridsen, N. Mazzeo & C. W. C. Branco, 2007. Restoration of shallow lakes by nutrient control and biomanipulation—the successful strategy varies with lake size and climate. Hydrobiologia 581: 269–285.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence, S. G., D. F. Malley, W. J. Findlay, M. A. MacIver & I. L. Delbaere, 1987. Method for estimating dry weight of freshwater planktonic crustaceans from measures of length and shape. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 44: 264–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ludovisi, A., P. Pandolfi & M. I. Taticchi, 2005. The strategy of ecosystem development: specific dissipation as an indicator of ecosystem maturity. Journal of Theoretical Biology 235: 33–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lund, J. W. G., C. Kipling & E. D. LeCren, 1958. The inverted microscope method for estimating algal numbers and the statistical basis for estimations by counting. Hydrobiologia 11: 393–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mallin, M. A. & W. E. Partin, 1989. Thermal tolerances of common Cladocera. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 5: 45–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • M.A.R.U., 1992. Piano per la gestione ed il controllo del bacino del Lago Trasimeno finalizzato al contenimento dell’eutrofizzazione. Report of the Ministry of the Region of Umbria No. 3405.

  • McCauley, E., 1984. The estimation of the abundance and biomass of zooplankton in samples. In Downing, J. A. & F. H. Rigler (eds), A Manual for the Assessment of Secondary Productivity in Fresh Waters. Blackwell Scientific, Oxford: 228–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meerhoff, M., J. M. Clemente, F. Teixeira de Mello, C. Iglesias, A. R. Pedersen & E. Jeppesen, 2007. Can warm climate-related structure of littoral predator assemblages weaken the clear water state in shallow lakes? Global Change Biology 13: 1888–1897.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ostrofsky, M. L., F. G. Jacobs & J. Rowan, 1983. Evidence for the production of extracellular herbivore deterrents by Anabaena flos-aquae. Freshwater Biology 13: 501–506.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paerl, H. W. & R. S. Fulton III, 2006. Ecology of harmful cyanobacteria. In Graneli, E. & J. T. Turner (eds), Ecology of Harmful Algae. Springer-Verlag, Berlin: 95–109.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Pinto-Coelho, R., B. Pinel-Alloul, G. Methot & K. E. Havens, 2005. Crustacean zooplankton in lakes and reservoirs of temperate and tropical regions: variation with trophic status. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 62: 348–361.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Porter, K. G., 1973. Selective grazing and differential digestion of algae by zooplankton. Nature 244: 179–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Porter, K. G. & J. D. Orcutt Jr, 1980. Nutritional adequacy, manageability, and toxicity as factors that determine the food quality of green and blue-green algae for Daphnia. In Kerfoot, W. C. (ed.), Evolution and Ecology of Zooplankton Communities. University Press of New England, Hanover, NH: 268–281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, C. S., 2006. Ecology of Phytoplankton. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Søndergaard, M., L. Liboriussen, A. R. Pedersen & E. Jeppesen, 2008. Lake restoration by fish removal: short and long-term effects in 36 Danish lakes. Ecosystems 11: 1291–1305.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stephen, D., D. M. Balayla, E. Bécares, S. E. Collings, C. Fernández-Aláez, M. Fernández-Aláez, C. Ferriol, P. García, J. Gomá, M. Gyllström, L. A. Hansson, J. Hietala, T. Kairesalo, M. R. Miracle, S. Romo, J. Rueda, S. Ståhl-Delbanco, M. Svensson, K. Vakkilainen, M. Valentín, W. J. Van De Bund, E. Van Donk, E. Vincente, M. J. Villena & B. Moss, 2004. Continental-scale patterns of nutrient and fish effects on shallow lakes: introduction to a pan-European mesocosm experiment. Freshwater Biology 49: 1517–1524.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strathmann, R. R., 1967. Estimating the organic carbon content of phytoplankton from cell volume or plasma volume. Limnology and Oceanography 12: 411–418.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taticchi, M. I., 1992. Studies on Lake Trasimeno and other water bodies in Umbria. Memorie dell’Istituto Italiano di Idrobiologie 50: 295–318.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taticchi, M. I., A. Cioffini, C. Isa & A. Bartoli, 1989. Indagine biennale (1987–1988) sulla popolazione di Daphnia (Cladocera) nel Lago Trasimeno. Rivista di Idrobiologia 28: 69–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teixeira-de Mello, F., M. Meerhoff, Z. Pekcan-Hekim & E. Jeppesen. 2009. Substantial differences in littoral fish community structure and dynamics in subtropical and temperate shallow lakes. Freshwater Biology (in press).

  • Tugend, K. I. & M. S. Allen, 2000. Temporal dynamics of zooplankton community composition and mean size at Lake Wauberg, Florida. Florida Scientist 63: 142–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanni, M. J., C. Luecke, J. F. Kitchell, Y. Allen, J. Temte & J. J. Magnuson, 1990. Effects on lower trophic levels of massive fish mortality. Nature 344: 333–335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Work, K. A. & M. Gophen, 1999. Factors that affect the abundance of an invasive cladoceran, Daphnia lumholtzii, in US reservoirs. Freshwater Biology 41: 1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Work, K. A. & K. E. Havens, 2003. Zooplankton grazing on bacteria and cyanobacteria in a eutrophic lake. Journal of Plankton Research 25: 1301–1307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Work, K. A., K. E. Havens, B. Sharfstein & T. L. East, 2005. How important is bacterial carbon to planktonic grazers in a turbid subtropical lake? Journal of Plankton Research 27: 357–372.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful to two anonymous reviewers for providing helpful suggestions for revising an earlier draft of this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Florida Sea Grant College Program, University of Florida, Building 803 McCarty Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0400, USA

    Karl E. Havens

  2. University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy

    Antonia Concetta Elia & Maria Illuminata Taticchi

  3. St. Johns River Water Management District, Palatka, FL, USA

    Rolland S. Fulton III

Authors
  1. Karl E. Havens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Antonia Concetta Elia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Maria Illuminata Taticchi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Rolland S. Fulton III
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Karl E. Havens.

Additional information

Handling editor: S. I. Dodson

An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-010-0562-7.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Havens, K.E., Elia, A.C., Taticchi, M.I. et al. Zooplankton–phytoplankton relationships in shallow subtropical versus temperate lakes Apopka (Florida, USA) and Trasimeno (Umbria, Italy). Hydrobiologia 628, 165–175 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-009-9754-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-009-9754-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation