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Journal of Limnology
Journal Prestige (SJR): 0.632

Citation Impact (citeScore): 2
Number of Followers: 6

This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Print) 1129-5767 - ISSN (Online) 1723-8633
Published by PAGEPress

[52 journals]

Relationships between air temperature and ice conditions on the southern
Baltic coastal lakes in the context of climate change
- Authors: Józef Piotr Girjatowicz, Małgorzata Świątek, Halina Kowalewska-Kalkowska
  Abstract: Shallow, lagoonal coastal lakes of the Southern Baltic are exceptionally susceptible to atmospheric factors. This work examines the influence of winter air temperatures in Ustka on ice parameters (dates of first ice occurrence and last ice disappearance, ice season duration, number of days with ice, and maximum ice thickness) on Southern Baltic coastal lakes (Jamno, Bukowo, Gardno, Łebsko), and trends displayed by changes in these parameters over the period spanning 1960/61-2019/20. The research data was retrieved from the archives of Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute. As a first step of the analysis, we investigated the statistical relationships in spatial and temporal variations in winter air temperature and coastal lake ice parameters. Correlation and regression method was employed to determine the influence of air temperature on coastal lake ice conditions. Correlation and determination coefficients were calculated, and linear regression equations were determined. The statistical significance of the observed relationships was assessed using Fisher-Snedecor test. Additionally, linear trend models were constructed. Our analysis indicates that from 1960/61 to 2019/20, the average rate of increase in winter temperature (December-March) in Ustka equalled 0.04°C ⋅year-1. The correlation coefficients for air temperature versus ice parameters were highly statistically significant (p<0.001). The strongest relationships (with correlation coefficients below -0.90) occurred between air temperature and number of days with ice. Ice season duration and number of days with ice are both closely linked with last ice disappearance date and ice thickness. Our analysis shows that a 1°C increase in average seasonal air temperature will result in the number of days with ice on the studied coastal lakes becoming reduced by 16-17 days. All trends in ice parameters indicate a mildening of ice conditions. Most of the assessed trends are statistically significant. The strongest trends were observed for ice season duration, and indicate its shortening toward the east, from 0.66 day ⋅year-1 (Lake Jamno) to 1.16 day ⋅year-1 (Lake Łebsko). All correlation coefficients for ice trends were found to increase eastward, which could be explained by an increasing influence of the warming climate over the Southern Baltic in this direction. The strong relationships between air temperature and Southern Baltic coastal lake ice parameters, and the determined rate of changes may have a significance for forecasting, as the shifting dates of ice formation and disappearance on lakes are highly important for the lake hydrodynamics, and the functioning of aquatic ecosystems.
  PubDate: 2022-04-22
  DOI: 10.4081/jlimnol.2022.2060
  Issue No: Vol. 81, No. 1 (2022)
Daily and seasonal dynamics of littoral zone fish communities in the
lowland Włocławek Reservoir (central Poland), with a special emphasis on
alien invasive gobies
- Authors: Maciej Błażejewski, Jarosław Król, Tomasz Kakareko, Katarzyna Mierzejewska, Piotr Hliwa
  Abstract: The aim of the study was to examine the daily and seasonal dynamics of changes in fish communities in two environmentally different littoral zones of the Włocławek Reservoir (central Poland), i.e., the floodplain (limnic Dobiegniewo site) and lotic area (Murzynowo site). During seasonal catches using trawl nets, in the daily cycle (at 00.00, 06.00, 12.00, and 18.00 hours), the presence of 18 fish species representing 4 families (Cyprinidae, Percidae, Gasterosteidae, Gobiidae) was confirmed. In both localities, the domination of native taxa, such as roach Rutilus rutilus (L.) and Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis L., in Dobiegniewo (26.6 and 26.6%, respectively) and Murzynowo (13.6 and 22.7%, respectively) of all caught specimens was noted. The quantitative share of three alien invasive gobies, racer goby Neogobius gymnotrachelus (Kessler, 1857), monkey goby Neogobius fluviatilis (Pallas, 1814), and western tubenose goby Proterorhinus semilunaris (Heckel, 1837), varied in the range between 2.7 and 35.3% in samples throughout the season. The results indicate the significant role of gobies in the structure of the sublittoral fish communities of Włocławek Reservoir and the necessity of expansion process studies, as well as the observation of the interactions with native fish species in invaded areas.
  PubDate: 2022-04-22
  DOI: 10.4081/jlimnol.2022.2059
  Issue No: Vol. 81, No. 1 (2022)
Habitat expansion of a tropical chironomid by seasonal alternation in use
of littoral and profundal zones
- Authors: Javier Alcocer, William M. Lewis Jr., María del Carmen Hernández, Luis A. Oseguera, Vania J.J. Pérez, Narcís Prat
  Abstract: The consistent warming of tropical lakes at all depths causes rapid development and long persistence of seasonal hypoxia in the hypolimnion, which greatly reduces the biodiversity of hypolimnetic benthic invertebrates. Full mixing of the water column in a typically annual cool-season creates a benthic habitat suitable for invertebrates but offers little time for colonization before the return of anoxia. In Lake Alchichica, Mexico, the endemic midge Chironomus alchichica has evolved a life cycle consisting of reproduction in waters of the littoral zone, which is suboptimal for development, followed by colonization of the hypolimnetic benthic zone during its oxic phase. As shown by the sampling of both littoral and benthic habitats over an annual cycle, the development of Ch. alchichica in the profundal zone is favoured by minimal competition (only one other invertebrate species present) and no significant predation. The rapid maturation of the midge leads to a high density of pupation before the seasonal anoxia.
  PubDate: 2022-03-10
  DOI: 10.4081/jlimnol.2022.2055
  Issue No: Vol. 81, No. 1 (2022)
Complex effects of acidification, habitat properties and fish stock on
littoral macroinvertebrate assemblages in montane standing waters
- Authors: Jana Petruželová, Jindřiška Bojková, Jan Sychra, Vanda Šorfová, Vendula Polášková, Jaroslav Vrba
  Abstract: Littoral macroinvertebrates in acidified waterbodies are affected by the interaction of acidification and local environmental conditions. Understanding the interplay of these factors in the structuring of communities is essential for interpreting responses to and/or recovery from acidification. Here, we analyse the species composition and richness of littoral macroinvertebrates in a range of acidified montane standing waters in relation to water chemistry, littoral characteristics and fish stock. The main species composition gradients were related to pH and conductivity; however, considerable variation along these gradients was associated with local habitat characteristics (changing water levels and littoral structure) and concentration of ionic aluminium and dissolved organic carbon. Although fish stock effects were confounded by correlated acidity, we observed a significant decline in abundance of macroinvertebrates vulnerable to fish predation at sites with fish stock. Overall, littoral macroinvertebrates of acidic waterbodies were diverse due to the heterogeneity of local habitat properties, despite they were dominated by acid-tolerant species. Acidic humic sites with dense, heterogeneous littoral vegetation were species-rich, hosting numerous habitat specialists and rare species, while chronically acidified lakes with high aluminium concentrations and sparse littoral vegetation had species-poor assemblages, characteristic of strong acid-stress. Water level manipulation resulted in serious assemblage impoverishment, overriding the effects of more favourable water chemistry. This study shows that the littoral fauna of acidic waterbodies is structured by complex effects induced by local factors in addition to acidity, resulting in acid-stressed assemblages with relatively high variability, emphasising a need to analyse local habitat factors when evaluating the impact of acidification on macroinvertebrates.
  PubDate: 2022-01-11
  DOI: 10.4081/jlimnol.2022.2053
  Issue No: Vol. 81, No. 1 (2022)
The first floristic study of freshwater dinoflagellates (Dinophyceae) in
Colombia
- Authors: Carolina Bustamante-Gil, Eduardo Amat, Andrés Boltovskoy, John J. Ramírez-Restrepo
  Abstract: The first comprehensive study of dinoflagellate flora and their related environmental variables in reservoirs, swamps, and an insular lake of Colombia is presented. Fourteen Colombian water bodies were assessed. In each, water temperature, electric conductivity, oxygen saturation, turbidity, and apparent color were the physical and chemical variables measured. Twelve dinoflagellate taxa were recorded, indicating a considerable richness compared to similar surveys. Ensembles recovered showed a spatial structuration mediated by the type of the water bodies (reservoirs and swamps); environmental variables and species richness explained equally the differences among the water bodies. The dinoflagellate flora showed altitudinal segregation, with intermediate altitude systems displaying the highest richness values. A brief discussion about the geographical distribution of the species collected is offered. The study contributes to the knowledge of the ecological aspects of dinoflagellate flora and outlines preliminary biodiversity tendencies of ensembles in tropical water systems.
  PubDate: 2021-10-07
  DOI: 10.4081/jlimnol.2021.2023
  Issue No: Vol. 81, No. 1 (2021)
Experiments on invertebrate predation on cladocerans and its relationships
with lake data
- Authors: Tânia C. dos Santos Ferreira, Marlene S. Arcifa
  Abstract: Until recently, knowledge of the impact of invertebrate predators on cladocerans in the Brazilian Lake Monte Alegre was limited to a few species. In order to assess the effects of predation on other cladoceran species, experiments were carried out with different pair-wise combinations of prey species. The experiments tested predation by fourth instar larvae of the dipteran Chaoborus brasiliensis Theobald on neonates and adults of the cladocerans Daphnia gessneri Herbst, Diaphanosoma birgei Kořínek, and Ceriodaphnia richardi Sars, and predation by the water mite Krendowskia sp. on neonates and adults of C. richardi and D. gessneri. In replicated treatments, the prey was offered alone or in combination with neonates and adults of two species and kept in bottles on a plankton wheel under controlled temperature, photoperiod, and light conditions. Chaoborus larvae preyed on neonates of D. birgei and D. gessneri and on adults of the former species. They preyed preferentially on neonates and adults of D. birgei over neonates and adults of C. richardi. The mite Krendowskia sp. preyed on only one species: neonates and adults of D. gessneri. Data on the distribution and strategies of prey in the lake are discussed in light of the experimental results, in an attempt to establish a link between laboratory data and field conditions.
  PubDate: 2021-10-07
  DOI: 10.4081/jlimnol.2021.1987
  Issue No: Vol. 81, No. 1 (2021)
Influence of wastewater discharges on benthic macroinvertebrate
communities in a cantabrian-atlantic coastal river
- Authors: David Gutiérrez, Romina Álvarez-Troncoso, Yasmina Martínez-Barciela, Alejandro Polina, Josefina Garrido
  Abstract: This paper studies the effect of wastewater discharges on benthic macroinvertebrates in the Furnia River (Pontevedra, NW Spain). Semiquantitative surveys were carried out in spring 2008 and 2017 in three different locations, upstream and downstream of a sewage treatment plant built in 2013. Different indexes were calculated based on benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages: abundance, richness, Shannon-Wiener, EPT, IASPT, IBMWP and several physicochemical variables were measured concurrently. Although the indexes values decreased slightly along the water course, the results indicate an optimal water quality of the Furnia River, supporting a very diverse community of aquatic macroinvertebrates.
  PubDate: 2021-10-25
  DOI: 10.4081/jlimnol.2021.2014
  Issue No: Vol. 81 (2021)
Behavioural responses of juvenile Daphnia magna to two
organophosphorus insecticides
- Authors: Valeria Di Nica, Cristiana Rizzi, Antonio Finizio, Lorenzo Ferraro, Sara Villa
  Abstract: In this study, the behaviour of Daphnia magna was studied under equipotent and sub-lethal concentrations of two pesticides congeners: chlorpyrifos (CPF; 5 ng L-1 to 50 ng L-1) and chlorpyrifos-methyl (CPF-m; 30 ng L-1 to 300 ng L-1) with aims to assess and compare the behavioural swimming responses (BSRs) of the cladocerans elicited by both compounds at different concentrations and exposure times. A video tracking analysis after 24 h and 48 h of exposure allowed us to evaluate different behavioural responses (distance moved, average velocity, active time, and average acceleration). The results indicate that BSRs are sensitive indicators of sub-lethal stress. Highly concentration- and time-response changes for both compounds were observed during the experiments. In particular, in the first 24 h of exposure, both compounds elicited a similar decreasing trend in swimming behaviour, in which CPF induced the highest decline. Further, hypoactivity was associated with the narcotic effects of both compounds. Conversely, after 48 h of exposure, we observed an increasing tendency in the swimming parameters, particularly at the highest tested concentrations. However, the compounds did not exhibit the same trend. Rather, CPF-m induced high variations from the control groups. This reversal trend could be due to the activation of compensatory mechanisms, such as feeding, searching, or avoidance behaviours. These results suggest that BSRs are measurable active responses of organisms, which are controlled by time.
  PubDate: 2021-10-07
  DOI: 10.4081/jlimnol.2021.2015
  Issue No: Vol. 81 (2021)
Ciliates in different types of pools in temperate, tropical, and polar
climate zones – implications for climate change
- Authors: Tomasz Mieczan, Urszula Bronowicka-Mielniczuk
  Abstract: Small water bodies are typically characterized by high diversity of various groups of microorganisms. Moreover, these ecosystems react very quickly to even the slightest climate changes (e.g. a temperature increase or water level fluctuations). Thus far, studies of planktonic ciliates in small water bodies having different origins and located in various climate zones have been scarce. Our study aimed to verify the following hypotheses: planktonic ciliate assemblages exhibit higher diversity in pools with higher concentrations of biogenic compounds; pools in warmer climates have higher biodiversity of planktonic ciliates than those in the polar climate zone; individual functional groups of ciliates demonstrate considerable diversity, both between individual pool types and between climate zones. The study was conducted in 21 small pools in temperate, tropical, and polar climate zones. While the type of pool clearly influenced the makeup of microbial communities, the influence of climate was stronger. The factors with the greatest influence on the occurrence of these microorganisms were temperature, total organic carbon, and nutrients. Our results show that in warmer climates the abundance of bacterivorous ciliates is higher, while that of mixotrophs is lower. This has consequences for modelling of climate change and assessment of its influence on the carbon cycle in small water body ecosystems.
  PubDate: 2021-09-28
  DOI: 10.4081/jlimnol.2021.1997
  Issue No: Vol. 81 (2021)