Ref ID : 4812
Wilfried Schonborn; Comparative Studies on the Production Biology of Protozoan Communities in Freshwater and Soil Ecosystems. Arch.Protistenk 141:187-214, 1992
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The hitherto known values of annual production of gymnamoebae, testate amoebae, and ciliates are presented comparatively and analysed. Advantages and disadvantages of the methods applied depend largely on the dynamics of population. The P/B-quotient in protozoan communities is determined not only by the absolute amount of production but also by the production pattern and the production-mortality-abundance (PMA)-type. Both ciliates in bodies of water and Testacea in soils have high and comparable production values. Testacea and loricate ciliates in rivers showed a relatively low production. The 4 PMA-types are presented again, and general laws on the relationships between generation times, number of generations, rates of mortality, distribution of mortality in course of the population growth and production have been derived. The mortality in most protozoan communities averages 5-10%/day. Generation times, consumption, respiration, and egestion are influenced synchronously by external and population dynamics factors with reference in each case of the sizes of the energy budget. Details of the energy budget are analysed comparatively. As far as secondary production is concerned, protozoa hold second place behind bacteria in the element cycle of many ecosystems. Among the invertebrates the protozoa have a major part in the element cycle, amounting to 50% and more. It reaches 5-50% of that of bacteria, in soils this proportion is shifted in favour of bacteria. The predation effect of protozoa on bacteria and the function in the energy flow are analysed. In benthic and terrestrial habitats short (circuited) cycles seem to occur more frequently. Productivity, habitat structure, and phylogenetic adaptation are correlated.