Patterns and drivers for benthic algal biomass in sub-Arctic mountain ponds

Janne M. Heikkinen*, Pekka Niittynen, Janne Soininen, Virpi Pajunen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
31 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This study investigated the spatial variation in total benthic algal biomass and within cyanobacteria, green algae, and diatoms in sub-Arctic ponds. Additionally to more widely used explanatory variables, snowmelt and ice duration were considered as their importance on algal communities is poorly understood. The data comprised algal biomasses from 45 sub-Arctic ponds in the Finnish Lapland. A generalized linear model and hierarchical partitioning were used to identify the significantly influential variables. Cyanobacteria were the most abundant algal group. Trace elements (e.g. Fe, Al, and Mn) were the most significant explanatory variable group in explaining algal biomasses. Macronutrients apart from K were found insignificant in all models. There were positive relationships between some algal biomasses indicating no strong competition between them. Snow and ice variables were found insignificant for all models, but they could have an important secondary role on algal communities. The results highlight the importance of trace elements in shaping algal biomasses in sub-Arctic ponds and thus their wider use in research can be advocated to better understand the productivity of nutrient poor and acidic waters in sub-Arctic regions. Focussing on benthic algal biomasses and the chemical composition of sub-Arctic freshwaters provides important information on the aquatic primary production.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)689-708
Number of pages20
JournalHydrobiologia
Volume851
Issue number3
Early online date20 Sept 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2024
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • Aluminium
  • Climate change
  • Cyanobacteria
  • Diatoms
  • Green algae
  • Iron

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