Large-Scale Operations Management Test of Use of the White Amur for Control of Problem Aquatic Plants; Report 1: Baseline Studies. Volume III. The Plankton and Benthos of Lake Conway, Florida.
Abstract
Monthly monitoring of the phytoplankton, periphyton, zooplankton, and benthic invertebrates of Lake Conway, Florida, indicates that no serious water quality problems were present prior to introduction of the Chinese Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) for the biological control of aquatic macrophytes. The phytoplankton community is dominated by green algae (Chlorophyta) during most of the year, with the exception of summer and early fall when blue-greens (Cyanophyta) become abundant. Maximum algal abundance (predominately blue-greens) occurs during fall associated with thermal destratification and associated nutrient regeneration from the hypolimnion. Production of periphyton is highest in summer and fall and lowest in winter. Blue-greens dominate the flora throughout the year. The total numbers of zooplankton increase from south to north through the lake chain along a gradient of increasing trophic state, and the trend for copepod abundance is inverse to that of total zooplankton. Benthic invertebrates have much greater density, species richness and biomass in shallow areas than deeper areas. Minimum abundance of benthos occurs during the period of summer stratification. Based on all these biological parameters, the whole lake system can be classified as mesotrophic, although the East and West Pools, and especially Lake Gatlin, are more eutrophic than the Middle and South Pools. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA072392
Entities
People
- Charles Ferrick
- Eldon C. Blancher Ii
- Floor Kooijman
- Jackson L. Fox
- Roger Conley
Organizations
- University of Florida