Ref ID : 3206
Gerald A. Cole; Studies on a Kentucky Knobs Lake. III. Some Qualitative Aspects of the Net Plankton. Transactions of the Kentucky Academy of Science 18(4):88-101, 1957
Reprint
In File
Notes
1. Plankton populations present during the first 10 years of the existence of Tom Wallace Lake, Jefferson County, Ky., were studied through examination of profundal sediments and net collections. 2. An early Melosira community disappeared after three years, possibly in response to the accumulation of nutrients from applied commercial fertilizers. 3. Microcystis aeruginosa bloomed luxuriantly during the years fertilizer was added to the lake, but with cessation of the fertilizing program this species was never again conspicuous. Aphanizomenon and Trichodesmium bloomed the first year no fertilizer was applied, but since then blue-green algae have been unimportant. 4. Desmids were more common in the spring months and during the early years of the lake's existence than at other times. The decline in the desmid population may have been due to the increase in total alkalinity of the lake. 5. Puzzing fluctuation in the population of some species, and the late arrival of such zooplankters as Conochiloides, Ptygura, Diaphanosoma, Daphnia pulex, and possibly Mesocyclops edax are discussed. Where possible, polythermal and oligothermal species are pointed out. 6. With respect to the number of species present, the zooplankton community on most occasions consisted of four rotifers, three cladocerans, one cyclopoid copepod, and one calanoid copepod. 7. The holophytic net plankters were largely flagellates, and the majority of zooplankters were filter feeders or small-particle feeders. Secondary consumers were scarce, although the common Tropocyclops prasinus may have belonged to this trophic level. Chaoborus larvae, which were very abundant in profundal sediments, probably filled this niche, but were not common in daytime plankton samples.