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The subalpine lake ecosystem, Øvre Heimdalsvatn, and its catchment: local and global changes over the last 50 years pp 71–79Cite as

Long-term changes in the littoral benthos of a Norwegian subalpine lake following the introduction of the European minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus)

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Part of the book series: Developments in Hydrobiology 211 ((DIHY,volume 211))

Abstract

The littoral benthos of the subalpine lake, Øvre Heimdalsvatn, has been documented in a series of investigations carried out in 1972, 1976, 1985 and 2000. During this 28-year period there have been major changes in the benthos of the lake following the introduction of European minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) into the lake where brown trout (Salmo trutta) was formerly the sole species. In 1972 Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, Plecoptera and Gammarus lacustris dominated the macrobenthos, constituting 85% of faunal numbers, while Chironomidae and Oligochaeta made up only c. 6%. However, by 1976, chironomids and oligochaetes had increased in relative abundance, while G. lacustris declined. This trend towards a dominance of chironomids and oligochaetes was confirmed in 1985 and 2000, although absolute numbers of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera increased in 2000 relative to 1972 values. Gammarus lacustris had a 2-year life cycle in Øvre Heimdalsvatn. In 1972 there were significantly more females than males, but by 1976 and through to 2000 there were greater numbers of males. Despite this reduction in females, numbers of juveniles increased, although mortality, probably due to increased predation from minnows, was higher than earlier. The introduction of the alien species, the European minnow, into Øvre Heimdalsvatn has clearly changed the composition and structure of the littoral macroinvertebrate benthos.

Guest editors: J. E. Brittain & Borgstrøm / The subalpine lake ecosystem, Øvre Heimdalsvatn, and its catchment: local and global changes over the last 50 years

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Hedmark University College, 2480, Koppang, Norway

    Frode Næstad

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  1. Frode Næstad
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  2. John E. Brittain
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Correspondence to Frode Næstad .

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  1. Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Blindern, PO Box 1172, 0318, Oslo, Norway

    John E. Brittain

  2. Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432, Ås, Norway

    John E. Brittain  & Reidar Borgstrøm  & 

  3. Norwegian Water Resources & Energy Directorate (NVE), Majorstua, PO Box 5091, 0301, Oslo, Norway

    John E. Brittain

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Næstad, F., Brittain, J.E. (2010). Long-term changes in the littoral benthos of a Norwegian subalpine lake following the introduction of the European minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus). In: Brittain, J.E., Borgstrøm, R. (eds) The subalpine lake ecosystem, Øvre Heimdalsvatn, and its catchment: local and global changes over the last 50 years. Developments in Hydrobiology 211, vol 211. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9388-2_7

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