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Factors influencing the species composition, distribution and abundance of benthic invertebrates in the profundal zone of a eutrophic northern lake

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Abstract

Factors influencing the species composition, distribution and abundance of benthic invertebrates were determined in a eutrophic subarctic lake from April 1978 to April 1979. Collections were made at five stations located at depths of 4 to 13 m. The largest populations of up to 5 × 103 animals m−2 were found in the deepest part of the lake. of the 24 species recorded in this area, the chironomidsProcladius denticulatus, Dicrotendipes modestus, Chironomus decorus andGlyptotendipes barbipes were most common. The strong development of benthos in the profundal zone was attributed to a consistently large supply of food and warm (4 °C) winter temperatures on bottom. Slightly smaller populations (up to 4 × 103 animals, m−2), composed of 19–23 species, occurred in shallower water, a reflection of lower (1.5 °C) winter temperatures. In the anoxic northern part of the lake, only 4–8 species were found in low numbers (400–1 000 animals m−2). This was likely due to low (<5% saturation) oxygen levels in water and high organic content (18.5%) of the sediments.

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  1. Alberta Environmental Centre, Bag 4000, Vegreville, Alberta, T0B 4L0, Canada

    James W. Moore

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  1. James W. Moore
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Moore, J.W. Factors influencing the species composition, distribution and abundance of benthic invertebrates in the profundal zone of a eutrophic northern lake. Hydrobiologia 83, 505–510 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02187047

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02187047

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