Algal Ecology (eBook)

Cover 1
Contents 8
SECTION ONE: PATTERNS OF BENTHIC ALGAE IN AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS 28
Chapter 1. An Introduction to Algal Ecology in Freshwater Benthic Habitats 30
I. The Diversity of Benthic Algae and Their Habitats in Fresh Waters 30
II. The Niche of Freshwater Benthic Algae 37
III. Methods for Characterizing Freshwater Benthic Algae 40
IV. Conceptual Frameworks for Benthic Algal Community Ecology 50
References 53
Chapter 2. Patterns in Benthic Algae of Streams 58
I. Introduction 58
II. Temporal Patterns 63
III. Spatial Patterns 69
IV. Benthic Algal Proliferations 73
V. Concluding Remarks 78
References 78
Chapter 3. Periphyton Patterns in Lakes 84
I. Introduction 84
II. The Lentic Periphyton Community 85
III. Important Influential Factors 90
IV. Conclusions and Missing Pieces 98
References 99
Chapter 4. Pattern in Wetlands 104
I. Introduction 105
II. Algal Assemblages in Wetlands 105
III. The Role of Algae in Wetlands 108
IV. Species Composition of Wetland Algae 114
V. Algal Production in Wetlands 116
VI. Factors Affecting Algal Production 117
VII. Conceptual Model of Wetland Algae 130
VIII. Conclusion 136
References 136
SECTION TWO: FACTORS AFFECTING BENTHIC ALGAE 146
Chapter 5. Effects of Light 148
I. Introduction 148
II. Photosynthetic Processes 149
III. Benthic Light Environments 150
IV. Photosynthesis–Irradiance Relations 154
V. Ecological Effects of Light Intensity 162
VI. Ecological Effects of Light Quality 168
VII. Ultraviolet Radiation 169
VIII. Summary 170
References 171
Chapter 6. Periphyton Responses to Temperature at Different Ecological Levels 176
I. Introduction 177
II. Autecological Responses 180
III. Population Responses 185
IV. Community Structure 190
V. Ecosystem Response 196
VI. Global Temperature Changes 200
VII. Synthesis 201
References 203
Chapter 7. Nutrients 210
I. Introduction 211
II. Conceptual Framework: Nutrient Uptake and Growth Kinetics 213
III. Conceptual Framework: Microhydrodynamic Environment 220
IV. Nutrient Limitation of Benthic Algae 223
V. Nutrient Kinetics of Benthic Algae 235
VI. Effects of Water Motion on Benthic Algal Nutrient Uptake and Nutrient-Limited Growth 239
VII. Nutrient Competition 241
References 245
Chapter 8. Resource Competition and Species Coexistence in Freshwater Benthic Algal Assemblages 256
I. Introductory Remarks 256
II. Basic Theory and Predictions: The Lotka–Volterra Equations and the Competitive Exclusion Principle 259
III. Limitations to Classical Theory: Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium Coexistence in Competitive Hierarchies 262
IV. Adaptive Traits Conferring Competitive Dominance and Avoidance 265
V. Summary and Recommendations for Future Research 274
References 276
Chapter 9. Interactions of Benthic Algae with Their Substrata 280
I. Introduction: The Interface Niche of Benthic Algae 280
II. Substratum Physical Influences 285
III. The Challenge of Examining Substratum Chemical Influences 288
IV. Known Influences of Substratum Composition 290
V. Conclusions and Recommendations 313
References 316
Chapter 10. The Role of Heterotrophy in Algae 326
I. Defining Autotrophy and Heterotrophy 326
II. The Ecological Roles of Algal Heterotrophy in Benthic Assemblages 338
III. Conclusions 342
References 343
Chapter 11. The Stimulation and Drag of Current 348
I. Introduction 348
II. Direct Effects 350
III. Indirect Effects 356
IV. Manifestations of Current Effects 358
V. Conclusions 362
References 363
Chapter 12. Effects of Grazers on Freshwater Benthic Algae 368
I. Introduction 368
II. Conceptual Framework 369
III. Algal Responses to Herbivory 370
IV. Future Research Directions and Concerns 391
References 393
Chapter 13. Response of Benthic Algal Communities to Natural Physical Disturbance 402
I. Introduction 402
II. Factors Influencing Resistance to Scour 405
III. Factors Influencing Resilience Following Scour 412
IV. Factors Influencing Response to Emersion 420
V. Factors Influencing Response to Light Deprivation and Burial 422
VI. Concluding Remarks 424
References 425
Chapter 14. Ecotoxicology of Inorganic Chemical Stress to Algae 430
I. Introduction 431
II. Adsorption and Uptake 431
III. Effects of Inorganic Chemical Stress on Algae 436
IV. Mechanisms of Tolerance 447
V. Environmental Factors Affecting Metal Toxicity and Uptake 459
VI. Interactions among Inorganic Stressors 472
VII. Response of Algal Communities to Inorganic Stressors 479
VIII. Algal Bioassay of Inorganic Stressors 484
References 485
Chapter 15. Effects of Organic Toxic Substances 496
I. Introduction 496
II. Conceptual Framework 498
III. Direct Effects 498
IV. Indirect Effects 516
V. Conclusions and Future Directions 517
References 518
Chapter 16. Acidification Effects 524
I. Introduction 524
II. General Responses to the Loss of the Acid-Neutralizing Capacities of Ecosystems 526
III. Hypotheses Explaining Acidification Effects 536
IV. Conclusions 548
References 549
SECTION THREE: THE NICHE OF BENTHIC ALGAE IN FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 558
Chapter 17. The Role of Periphyton in Benthic Food Webs 560
I. Introduction 560
II. Structure of "Macroscopic" Benthic Food Webs 562
III. Periphyton in Aquatic Energy Budgets 563
IV. Periphyton in Benthic Food Webs 566
V. Top-down and Bottom-up Regulation of Benthic Food Webs 575
VI. The Case for "Intermediate Regulation" 587
VII. General Conclusions and Directions for Future Research 589
References 591
Chapter 18. Algae in Microscopic Food Webs 600
I. Introduction 601
II. Algal–Bacterial Interaction 603
III. Detection of Microbial Feeding Relationships 603
IV. Algal and Bacterial Ingestion by Microconsumers 606
V. Use of Other Food Resources, Intraguild Predation, and Links to Higher Organisms 622
VI. Impact on Production and Standing Crops 624
VII. Nutrient Regeneration 626
VIII. Conclusions, Implications, and Research Needs 626
References 628
Chapter 19. Role in Nutrient Cycling in Streams 636
I. Introduction 636
II. Direct Effects: Nutrient Cycling Processes 639
III. Indirect Effects 648
IV. Nutrient Turnover Rates and Comparison with Other Ecosystems 657
V. Summary and Conclusions 659
References 660
Chapter 20. Benthic Algae and Nutrient Cycling in Lentic Freshwater Ecosystems 668
I. Introduction 668
II. Nutrient Characteristics in Lentic Habitats 670
III. Nutrient Gradients and Limitations 672
IV. Summary and Conclusions 688
References 690
Chapter 21. Modeling Benthic Algal Communities: An Example from Stream Ecology 696
I. Introduction 697
II. A Modeling Approach 698
III. The McIntire and Colby Stream Model 699
IV. An Updated Herbivory Subsystem Model 700
V. Behavior of the Herbivory Subsystem Model 704
VI. Behavior of the Updated M & C Model
VII. Hypothesis Generation 721
VIII. Discussion and Conclusions 725
References 729
Chapter 22. Benthic Algal Communities as Biological Monitors 732
I. Introduction 732
II. Applications 734
III. Methodology 736
IV. Summary and Conclusions 759
References 760
Index 776