Dynamics of Phytoplankton, Zooplankton and Fishery Resource Model

In this paper, a new mathematical model has been proposed and analyzed to study the interaction of phytoplankton- zooplankton-fish population in an aquatic environment with Holloing’s types II, III and IV functional responses. It is assumed that the growth rate of phytoplankton depends upon the constant level of nutrient and the fish population is harvested according to CPUE (catch per unit effort) hypothesis. Biological and bionomical equilibrium of the system has been investigated. Using Pontryagin’s Maximum Principal, the optimal harvesting policy is discussed. Chaotic nature and bifurcation analysis of the model system for a control parameter have been observed through a numerical simulation

Omnivory by planktivores stabilizes plankton dynamics, but may either promote or reduce algal biomass

Classical models of phytoplankton–zooplankton interaction show that with nutrient enrichment such systems may abruptly shift from limit cycles to stable phytoplankton domination due to zooplankton predation by planktivorous fish. Such models assume that planktivorous fish eat only zooplankton, but there are various species of filter-feeding fish that may also feed on phytoplankton. Here, we extend these classical models to systematically explore the effects of omnivory by planktivorous fish. Our analysis indicates that if fish forage on phytoplankton in addition to zooplankton, the alternative attractors predicted by the classical models disappear for all realistic parameter settings, even if omnivorous fish have a strong preference for zooplankton. Our model also shows that the level of fish biomass above which zooplankton collapse should be higher when fish are omnivorous than when fish are zooplanktivorous. We also used the model to explore the potential effects of the now increasingly common practice of stocking lakes with filter-feeding fish to control cyanobacteria. Because omnivorous filter-feeding fish forage on phytoplankton as well as on the main grazers of phytoplankton, the net effect of such fish on the phytoplankton biomass is not obvious. Our model suggests that there may be a unimodal relationship between the biomass of omnivorous filter-feeding fish and the biomass of phytoplankton. This implies that to manage for reductions in phytoplankton biomass, heavy stocking or strong reduction of such fish is bes

Physical measures to inhibit planktonic cyanobacteriae

In a small lake, intermittent destratification was installed after several other physico-chemical and physical in-lake therapy measures (phosphorus immobilization, permanent destratification) had been tested without great success. If an aerobic sediment-water interface can be maintained, intermittent destratification removes cyanobacteria and prevents optimal development of other members of the photoautotrophic plankton. During growing seasons, increasing abundances of small-bodied herbivores (Bosmina) and Daphnia may have accounted for relatively low phytoplankton biomass as well. Intermittent destratification is a very fast-working in-lake measure and seems to be applicable even in relatively shallow lakes (< 15 m), in which permanent destratification seems to be risky

The effects of alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) on zooplankton community structure in Depot Pond NH and a comparison of seven New Hampshire lakes

Physical, chemical and biological features of seven New Hampshire lakes were examined in September and October of 1997. Zooplankton communities exhibited evidence of “top-down” control in Milton Three Ponds (Depot, Norteast, and Townhouse Ponds), showing effects of a planktivorous fish, Alosa pseudoharengus: small mean body size, dominance of small grazers such as Bosmina, and absence of large grazers such as Daphnia. Phosphorus concentrations were positively correlated to fluorescence of all water fractions, chlorophyll a and a phytoplankton biotic pollution index (modified from Hillsenhoff, 1978), revealing a level of “bottom-up” control

Effects of climate on size structure and functioning of aquatic food webs

In aquatic food webs, the role of body size is notoriously strong. It is also well known that temperature has an effect on body size. For instance, Bergmann’s rule states that body size increases from warm to cold climates. This thesis addresses the question how climate shapes the size structure of fish and zooplankton communities, and how this affects the strength of the trophic cascade from fish to plankton. I combine three different approaches: a space-for-time substitution study of data from the 83 shallow lakes distributed along a latitudinal gradient in South America, simple mathematical models to explore climate effects on the dynamics of trophic interactions, and an experimental analysis of trophic interactions using outdoor mesocosms

Nitrogen uptake and the importance of internal nitrogen loading in Lake Balaton

1. The importance of various forms of nitrogen to the nitrogen supply of phytoplankton has been investigated in the mesotrophic eastern and eutrophic western basin of Lake Balaton.&lt;br /&gt; 2. Uptake rates of ammonium, urea, nitrate and carbon were measured simultaneously. The uptake rates were determined using N-15 and C-14 methodologies, and N-2-fixation was measured using the acetylene-reduction method. The light dependence of uptake was described with an exponential saturation equation and used to calculate surface-related (areal) daily uptake. &lt;br /&gt; 3. The contribution of ammonium, urea and nitrate to the daily nitrogen supply of phytoplankton varied between 11 and 80%, 17 and 73% and 1 and 15%, respectively. N- 2-fixation was negligible in the eastern basin and varied between 5 and 30% in the western region of the lake. The annual external nitrogen load was only 10% of that utilized by algae.&lt;br /&gt; 4. The predominant process supplying nitrogen to the phytoplankton in the lake is the rapid recycling of ammonium and urea in the water column, The importance of the internal nutrient loading is emphasized

Review of best management practices for aquatic vegetation control in stormwater ponds, wetlands, and lakes

Auckland Council (AC) is responsible for the development and operation of a stormwater network across the region to avert risks to citizens and the environment. Within this stormwater network, aquatic vegetation (including plants, unicellular and filamentous algae) can have both a positive and negative role in stormwater management and water quality treatment. The situations where management is needed to control aquatic vegetation are not always clear, and an inability to identify effective, feasible and economical control options may constrain management initiatives. AC (Infrastructure and Technical Services, Stormwater) commissioned this technical report to provide information for decision- making on aquatic vegetation management with in stormwater systems that are likely to experience vegetation-related issues. Information was collated from a comprehensive literature review, augmented by knowledge held by the authors. This review identified a wide range of management practices that could be potentially employed. It also demonstrated complexities and uncertainties relating to these options that makes the identification of a best management practice difficult. Hence, the focus of this report was to enable users to screen for potential options, and use reference material provided on each option to confirm the best practice to employ for each situation. The report identifies factors to define whether there is an aquatic vegetation problem (Section 3.0), and emphasises the need for agreed management goals for control (e.g. reduction, mitigation, containment, eradication). Resources to screen which management option(s) to employ are provided (Section 4.0), relating to the target aquatic vegetation, likely applicability of options to the system being managed, indicative cost, and ease of implementation. Initial screening allows users to shortlist potential control options for further reference (Section 5.0). Thirty-five control options are described (Section 5.0) in sufficient detail to consider applicability to individual sites and species. These options are grouped under categories of biological, chemical or physical control. Biological control options involve the use of organisms to predate, infect or control vegetation growth (e.g. classical biological control) or manipulate conditions to control algal growth (e.g. pest fish removal, microbial products). Chemical control options involve the use of pesticides and chemicals (e.g. glyphosate, diquat), or the use of flocculants and nutrient inactivation products that are used to reduce nutrient loading, thereby decreasing algal growth. Physical control options involve removing vegetation or algal biomass (e.g. mechanical or manual harvesting), or setting up barriers to their growth (e.g. shading, bottom lining, sediment capping). Preventative management options are usually the most cost effective, and these are also briefly described (Section 6.0). For example, the use of hygiene or quarantine protocols can reduce weed introductions or spread. Catchment- based practices to reduce sediment and nutrient sources to stormwater are likely to assist in the avoidance of algal and possibly aquatic plant problems. Nutrient removal may be a co-benefit where harvesting of submerged weed biomass is undertaken in stormwater systems. It should also be considered that removal of substantial amounts of submerged vegetation may result in a sudden and difficult-to-reverse s witch to a turbid, phytoplankton dominated state. Another possible solution is the conversion of systems that experience aquatic vegetation issues, to systems that are less likely to experience issues. The focus of this report is on systems that receive significant stormwater inputs, i.e. constructed bodies, including ponds, amenity lakes, wetlands, and highly-modified receiving bodies. However, some information will have application to other natural water bodies

Processes controlling the quantities of biogenic materials in lakes and reservoirs subject to cultural eutrophication

The processes which control the growth, composition, succession and loss from suspension of phytoplankton algae are briefly reviewed, with special reference to function in eutrophic reservoir systems. The ecology of larger algal biomasses supported by high nutrient loading rates are more likely to be subject to physical (wash-out, underwater light penetration, thermal stability and mixing) than to chemical constraints. Sudden changes in the interactions between physical factors temporarily impair the growth of dominant algal species, and advance the succession. Certain algae may be cropped heavily, but selectively, by zooplankton feeding, but they are rarely the species which cause problems in waterworks practice. Grazing, however, does influence succession. A deeper understanding of the operation of loss control mechanism is urgently required. Potentially, manipulation of the physical environment provides an important means of alleviating day-to-day algal problems in eutrophic reservoirs; in terms of cost effectiveness these may prove to be more attractive than reducing nutrient loads at source

Brown Tide Symposium and Workshop : 15-16 July 1991

The 'brown tide' bloom of an aberrant Chrysophyte sp. phytoplankter occurred for more than 18 months and extended into both upper (cover map) and lower Laguna Madre, Texas. Great concern for the Laguna Madre ecosystem was shown during the brown tide event by local, state and regional groups, but little previous knowledge was available about this unusual phytoplankton bloom. Since field data had been collected by an ongoing UTMSI field program in the Laguna, it was felt that a workshop format meeting should be convened with national and international experts to discuss the data and results on brown tide and other unusual phytoplankton blooms. A relatively quick response was needed as planning for the workshop started in May 1991 for a meeting date in July, with support supplied by the Gulf of Mexico Program of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Grant No. X 006242-01-0), The Resource Protection Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and The University of Texas Marine Science Institute. This report includes the agenda, abstracts of presentations and summary of findings by the workshop participants. The participants also strongly agreed that long term research support was necessary to further understand the brown tide bloom and its effects. To that end, a resolution was drafted and unanimously approved by all the workshop participants.September 1991Marine Scienc