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Modelling nutrient cycles in relation to food web structure in a biomanipulated shallow lake

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Abstract

The modelPCLAKE describes the phosphorus and nitrogen cycles within a shallow lake ecosystem, including the sediment and a simplified biological food web. All components are modelled in a generalized way rather than a very detailed one. This model has been applied to Lake Zwemlust, a small biomanipulated lake in The Netherlands. Formerly, this highly eutrophic lake was dominated by cyanobacteria and devoid of macrophytes. Biomanipulation was carried out in 1987 by pumping-out of the water, removal of all fish, and refilling of the lake with seepage water. The lake was restocked with some rudd, pike, zooplankton and seedlings of macrophytes, and then monitored up to 1992. Macrophytes developed rather quickly and reached their maximum biomass during the six-years period in 1989. Despite the continuously high nutrient (N and P) loading, algal biomass remained low due to nitrogen limitation, caused by competition with the macrophytes. From 1990 onwards, the macrophytes declined again and a species shift occurred, following an increase of herbivorous birds on the lake and the development of herbivorous fishes.

Model simulations grossly reproduced the observed developments in Lake Zwemlust before and after the biomanipulation measures. The existence of multiple steady states at the same trophic state and the possible shift between them could be simulated well. This study also demonstrates the interrelation between system structure and the distribution and cycling of nutrients. It is concluded, that within general boundary conditions set by the trophic state of the system, the food web structure determines the actual nutrient flows and the occurrence of nutrient limitations of the primary producers. It is shown that both aspects can be integrated in one mathematical model. The long-term stability of the macrophyte dominance in the lake is discussed.

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Author notes

  1. J. H. Janse

    Present address: Lab. for Water and Drinking Water Research, RIVM, P.O. Box 1, 3720, BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands

  2. E. Van Donk

    Present address: Department of Water Quality Management and Aquatic Ecology, Agricultural University, P.O. Box 8080, 6700, DD Wageningen, The Netherlands

  3. R. D. Gulati

    Present address: Centre for Limnology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Rijksstraatweg 6, 3631, AC Nieuwersluis, The Netherlands

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    1. J. H. Janse
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    2. E. Van Donk
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    3. R. D. Gulati
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    Janse, J.H., Van Donk, E. & Gulati, R.D. Modelling nutrient cycles in relation to food web structure in a biomanipulated shallow lake. Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecology 29, 67–79 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02061790

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