Abstract
Numerous studies have determined the effects of physical disturbance on periphyton, however, the substrata used have varied in size among studies. In this study we examined the influence of substratum size on the change in periphyton exposed to three levels of disturbance. Periphyton communities were established in a large greenhouse tank on square unglazed tiles that were either 2.5, 5, or 7.5 cm on a side. Following community development sets of tiles were randomly assigned to controlled disturbances removing 25%, 50%, or 75% of the community or an undisturbed control. Following disturbance, changes in periphyton density were associated with both disturbance treatment and tile size as was taxa richness. Experimental results and direct observation revealed that algal growth was most concentrated along the edge of the tile and progressively declined toward the center. Thus, substratum size influences colonization and pre-disturbance community structure, which then affects the extent of periphyton community change due to ifferent levels of disturbance.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Biggs, B. J. F., 1995. The contribution of disturbance, catchment geology and land use to the habitat template of periphyton in stream ecosystems. Freshwater Biology 33: 419–438.
Biggs, B. J. F., 1996. Patterns in benthic algae of streams. In Stevenson R. J., M. L. Bothwell & R. L. Lowe (eds), Algal Ecology: Freshwater Benthic Ecosystems. Academic Press, Inc, San Diego, CA: 31–56.
Biggs, B. J. F. & M. E. Close, 1989. Periphyton biomass dynamics in gravel bed rivers: The relative effects of flows and nutrients. Freshwater Biology 22: 209–231.
Douglas, B., 1958. The ecology of the attached diatoms and other algae in a small stony stream. Journal of Ecology 46: 295–322.
Hamilton, P. B. & H. C. Duthie, 1984. Periphyton colonization of rock surfaces in a boreal forest stream studied by scanning electron microscopy and track autoradiography. Journal of Phycology 20: 525–532.
Horner, R. R., E. B. Welch, M. R. Seeley & J. M. Jacoby, 1990. Responses of periphyton to changes in current velocity, suspended sediment and phosphorus concentrations. Freshwater Biology 24: 215–232.
Korte, V. L. & D. W. Blinn, 1983. Diatom colonization on artificial substrata in pool and riffle zones studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. Journal of Phycology 19: 332–341.
Krejci, M. E. & R. L. Lowe, 1986. Importance of sand grain mineralogy and topography in determining micro-spatial distribution of epipsammic diatoms. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 5: 211–220.
Lock, M. A., R. R. Wallace, J. W. Costerton, R. M. Ventullo & S. E. Charlton, 1984. River epilithon: Toward a structural-functional model. Oikos 42: 10–22.
MacArthur, R. H. & E. O. Wilson, 1967. The Theory of Island Biogeography. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J 203 pp.
McCormick, P., 1991. Spatial considerations in the study of benthic algal colonization in streams. Transactions of the American Microscopical Society 110: 279–288.
Miller, A. R., R. L. Lowe & J. T. Rotenberry, 1987. Succession of diatom communities on sand grains. Journal of Ecology 75: 693–709.
Patrick, R., 1967. The effect of invasion rate, species pool, and size of area on the structure of the diatom community. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 58: 1335–1342.
Patrick, R., 1976. The formation and maintenance of benthic diatom communities. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society 120: 475–484.
Peterson, C. G., 1996. Response of algae to natural physical disturbance. In Stevenson R. J., M. L. Bothwell & R. L. Lowe (eds), Algal Ecology: Freshwater Benthic Ecosystems. Academic Press, Inc, San Diego, CA: 373–402.
Peterson, C. G. & R. J. Stevenson, 1992. Resistance and resilience of lotic algal communities: Importance of disturbance timing and current. Ecology 73: 1445–1461.
Power, M. E., 1992. Hydrologic and trophic controls of seasonal algal blooms in northern California rivers. Archiv für Hydrobiologie 125: 385–410.
Steinman, A. D., 1996. Effects of grazers on freshwater benthic algae. In Stevenson R. J., M. L. Bothwell & R. L. Lowe (eds), Algal Ecology: Freshwater Benthic Ecosystems. Academic Press, Inc, San Diego, CA: 341–373.
Steinman, A. D. & C. D. McIntire, 1986. Effects of current velocity and light energy on the structure of periphyton assemblages in laboratory streams. Journal of Phycology 22: 352–361.
Steinman, A. D, C. D. McIntire, S. V. Gregory, G. A. Lamberti & L. Ashkenas, 1987. Effect of herbivore type and density on taxonomic structure and physiognomy of algal assemblages in laboratory streams. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 6: 189–197.
Stevenson, R. J., 1983. Effects of current and conditions simulating autogenically changing microhabitats on benthic algal immigration. Ecology 64: 1514–1524.
Stevenson, R. J., 1984a. How currents on different sides of substrates in streams affect mechanisms of benthic algal accumulation. International Revue der gesamten Hydrobiologia 69: 241–262.
Stevenson, R. J., 1984b. Procedures for mounting algae in syrup medium. Transactions of the American Microscopical Society 97: 320–321.
Tuchman, M. L. & R. J. Stevenson, 1980. Comparison of clay tiles, sterilized rock, and natural substrate diatom communities in a small stream in southeastern Michigan, USA. Hydrobiologia 75: 73–79.
Tuchman, N. C. & R. J. Stevenson, 1991. Effects of selective grazing by snails on benthic algal communities. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 10: 430–443.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2006 Springer
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Luttenton, M.R., Baisden, C. (2006). The relationships among disturbance, substratum size and periphyton community structure. In: Stevenson, R.J., Pan, Y., Kociolek, J.P., Kingston, J.C. (eds) Advances in Algal Biology: A Commemoration of the Work of Rex Lowe. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 185. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-5070-4_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-5070-4_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-4782-4
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-5070-1
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)