Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2007, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (2): 313-319.DOI: 10.17521/cjpe.2007.0036

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

SPRING DYNAMICS OF THE PHYTOPLANKTON COMMUNITY OF AN OLIGO-TROPHIC RESERVOIR IN THE SOUTHERN SUBTROPICS OF CHINA

LI Qiu-Hua(), HU Ren, HAN Bo-Ping()   

  1. Institute of Hydrobiology, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
  • Received:2005-10-09 Accepted:2006-06-14 Online:2007-10-09 Published:2007-03-30
  • Contact: HAN Bo-Ping
  • About author:First author contact:

    E-mail of the first author: qiuhua2002@126.com

Abstract:

Aims The objective of this paper was to describe the phytoplankton community and dynamics of Meixi Reservoir, a small oligotrophic reservoir in the southern subtopics of China.

Methods Hydrological parameters, nutrition and phytoplankton were investigated at the center of the reservoir every two weeks in spring from January to June 2005. Nutrient concentrations were measured by BG3838-2002. Phytoplankton were identified, counted and measured with microscopes, and their biomass was calculated based on cell morphometrics.

Important findings The phytoplankton community was characterized by low species number, biomass and dominance by two dinoflagellate species, Ceratium hirundinella and Peridinium sp. In total, 42 taxa were identified from 24 samples. The community was distinctively different between early spring (January to March) and late spring (April to June). Only about 12 species were observed in each sampling in the early spring, but 21 species in the late spring. The total abundance of phytoplankton ranged from 31 to 273 cells·ml-1, and the total biomass of phytoplankton ranged from 0.176 to 2.024 mg·L-1. The average biomass of phytoplankton was higher in late spring than in early spring. Dinoflagellates had an advantage in competition with other species and were able to move vertically to get nutrients from near the bottom of the reservoir. In late spring,phytoplankton abundance and biomass increased significantly with water temperature, but decreased with rainfall, apparently as water transparence declined due to disturbance from precipitation. Therefore, water temperature was the main factor restricting the phytoplankton community, but was disturbed by rainfall. This study provided base data for phytoplankton communities in oligotrophic water bodies and was helpful to understand possible changes with cultural eutrophication.

Key words: phytoplankton, dynamics, spring, reservoir