Skip to main content

Restoration by biomanipulation in a small hypertrophic lake: first-year results

  • Conference paper
Trophic Relationships in Inland Waters

Part of the book series: Developments in Hydrobiology ((DIHY,volume 53))

Abstract

Biomanipulation was carried out in order to improve the water quality of the small hypertrophic Lake Zwemlust (1.5 ha; mean depth 1.5 m). In March 1987 the lake was drained to facilitate the elimination of fish. Fish populations were dominated by planktivorous and benthivorous species (total stock c. 1500 kg) and were collected by seine- and electro-fishing. The lake was subsequently re-stocked with 1500 northern pike fingerlings (Esox lucius L.) and a low density of adult rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus). The offspring of the rudd served as food for the predator pike. Stacks of Salix twigs, roots of Nuphar lutea and plantlets of Chara globularis were brought in as refuge and spawning grounds for the pike, as well as shelter for the zooplankton.

The impact of this biomanipulation on the light penetration, phytoplankton density, macrophytes, zooplankton and fish communities and on nutrient concentrations was monitored from March 1987 onwards. This paper presents the results in the first year after biomanipulation.

The abundance of phytoplankton in the first summer (1987) after this biomanipulation was very low, and consequently accompanied by increase of Secchi-disc transparency and drastic decline of chlorophyll a concentration.

The submerged vegetation remained scarce, with only 5% of the bottom covered by macrophytes at the end of the season.

Zooplankters became more abundant and there was a shift from rotifers to cladocerans, comprised mainly of Daphnia and Bosmina species, the former including at least 3 species.

The offspring of the stocked rudd was present in the lake from the end of August 1987. Only 19% of the stocked pike survived the first year.

Bioassays and experiments with zooplankton community grazing showed that the grazing pressure imposed by the zooplankton community was able to keep chlorophyll a concentrations and algal abundance to low levels, even in the presence of very high concentrations of inorganic N and P. The total nutrient level increased after biomanipulation, probably due to increased release from the sediment by bioturbation, the biomass of chironomids being high.

At the end of 1987 Lake Zwemlust was still in an unstable stage. A new fish population dominated by piscivores, intended to control the planktivorous and benthivorous fish, and the submerged macrophytes did not yet stabilize.

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

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Andersson, G., H. Berggren, G. Cronberg & C. Gelin, 1978. Effect of planktivorous and benthivorous fish on organisms and water chemistry in eutrophic lakes. Hydrobiologia 59: 9–15.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benndorf, J., H. Kneschke, K. Kossatz & E. Penz, 1984. Manipulation of the pelagic food web by stocking with predacious fishes. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 69: 407–428.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Björk, S., 1985. Lake restoration techniques. In: Proceedings of the International congress `Lakes Pollution and Recovery’ April 1985, Rome.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Bernardi, R. & G. Giussani, 1975. Population dynamics of three cladocerans of Lago Maggiore related to the predation pressure by a planktiphagous fish. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 19: 2906–2912.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Bernardi, R., G. Giussani & E. Lasso Pedretti, 1982. Select feeding of zooplankton with special reference to blue-green algae in enclosure experiments. Mem. Ist. Ital. Idrobiol. 40: 113–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallepp, G. W., J. F. Kitchell & S. M. Bartel, 1978. Phosphorus release from lake sediments as affected by chironomids. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol 20: 458–465.

    Google Scholar 

  • Golterman, H. L., 1969. Methods for chemical analysis of freshwater. I.B.P. Handbook, No. 8. Blackwell Sci. Publ., Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grimm, M. P., 1981. The composition of northern pike (Esox lucius L.) populations in four shallow waters in The Netherlands, with special reference to factors influencing o * pike biomass. Fish. Management 12: 61–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grimm, M. P., 1983. Regulation of biomasses of small (<41 cm) northern pike (Esox lucius L.) with special reference to the contribution of individuals stocked as fingerlings (4–6 cm). Fish. Management 14: 115–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gulati, R. D., 1983. Zooplankton and its grazing as indicators of trophic status in Dutch lakes. Envir. Monit. Assess. 3: 343–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gulati, R. D., K. Siewertsen & G. Postma, 1982. The zooplankton: its community structure, food and feeding, and role in the ecosystem of Lake Vechten. Hydrobiologia 95: 127–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henrikson, L., H. G. Nyman, H. G. Oscarson & J. A. Stenson, 1980. Trophic changes without changes in the external nutrient loading. Hydrobiologia 68: 257–263.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hosper, S. H., M.-L. Meijer & E. Jagtman, 1987. Biomanipulation a new perspective for restoring lakes in The Netherlands (in Dutch, English summary), H2O (20) 12: 274–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hrbdèek, J., M. Dvorâkovâ, V. Koiinek & L. Prochâzkovâ, 1961. Demonstration of the effect of the fish stock on the species composition of zooplankton and the intensity of the metabolism of the whole plankton association. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 14: 192–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koksvik, J. I. & K. Aagaard, 1984. Effects of rotenone treatment on the benthic fauna of a small eutrophic lake. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 22: 658–665.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lammens, E. H. R. R., 1986. Interactions between fishes and structure of fish communities in Dutch shallow eutrophic lakes. Thesis, University of Agriculture, Wageningen 100 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarro, X., 1987. A review of planktivorous fishes: their evolution, feeding behaviours, selectivities, and impacts. Hydrobiologia 146: 97–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leah, R. T., B. Moss & D. E. Forrest, 1980. The role of predation in causing major changes in the limnology of a hyper-eutrophic lake. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 65: 223–247.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Le Cosquino de Bussy, U J., 1968. Algiciden. Onderzoek over diuron als bestrijdingsmiddel van algen in de zwem- vijver `Zwemlust’, Nieuwersluis, IG-TNO report, nr. A48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch, M. & J. Shapiro, 1981. Predation, enrichment and phytoplankton community structure. Limnol. Oceanogr. 26: 86–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McQueen, D. J., J. R. Post & E. L. Mills, 1986. Trophic relationships in freshwater pelagic ecosystems. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 43: 1571–1581.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reinertsen, H. & Y. Olson, 1984. Effects of fish elimination on the phytoplankton community of a eutrophic lake. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 22: 649–657.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, J., 1980a. The need for more biology in lake restoration. In: Lake Restoration. Proceedings of a National Conference, 22–24 August 1978. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 444/5–79–001, Minneapolis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, J., 1980b. The importance of trophic-level interactions to the abundance and species composition of algae in lakes. In: Hypertrophic ecosystems (Eds. J. Barica & L. R. Mur). Junk, The Hague.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, J., B. Forsberg, V. Lamarra, G. Lindmark, M. Lynch, E. Smeltzer & G. Zoto, 1982. Experiments and experiences in biomanipulation: studies of ways to reduce algal abundance and eliminate bluegreens. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA–600/3–82–096. Also Limnological Research Center Interim Report no. 19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, J., V. Lamarra & M. Lynch, 1975. Biomanipulation: an ecosystem approach to lake restoration. In: Water quality management through biological control. (Eds. P. L. Brezonik & J. L. Fox). Rep. no. ENV–07–75–1, University of Florida, Gainesville.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, J. & D. I. Wright, 1984. Lake restoration by biomanipulation: Round Lake, Minnesota, the first two years. Freshwat. Biol. 14: 371–383.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stenson, J. A. E., T. Bohlin, L. Henrikson, B. I. Nilsson, H. G. Nyman, H. G. Oscarson & P. Larsson, 1978. Effects of fish removal from a small lake. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol 20: 794–801.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Liere, E., 1986. Loosdrecht lakes, origin, eutrophication, restoration and research programme Hydrobiol. Bull., Amsterdam 20: 9–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Liere, E., L. van Ballegooyen, W. A. de Kloet, K. Siewertsen, P. Kouwenhoven & T. Aldenberg, 1986. Primary production in the various parts of the Loosdrecht Lakes. Hydrobiol. Bull., Amsterdam 20: 77–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winberg, G. G. et al 1971. Symbols, units and conversion factors of freshwater productivity. IBP, London, 23 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaret, T. M., 1980. Predation and freshwater communities. Yale University Press, New Haven and London. 187 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

P. Biró J. F. Talling

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht

About this paper

Cite this paper

Van Donk, E., Gulati, R.D., Grimm, M.P. (1990). Restoration by biomanipulation in a small hypertrophic lake: first-year results. In: Biró, P., Talling, J.F. (eds) Trophic Relationships in Inland Waters. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 53. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0467-5_33

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0467-5_33

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6695-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-0467-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics