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The role of zoobenthos in energy flow in deep, oligotrophic Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland

  • Productivity and Energy Flows
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Abstract

Macrozoobenthos in Thingvallavatn is dominated by 42 taxa. The vertical distribution delimits 5 communities: (1) the surf zone community from 0–2 m, (2) the upper stony littoral community from 2–6 m, (3) the lower stony littoral community from 6–10 m, (4) the Nitella zone community from 10–20 m, and (5) the profundal zone community from 20–114 m. Total mean lakewide production was 78 kJ m−2 yr−1. Herbivores, detritivores, and carnivores contributed 59%, 38% and 3%, respectively. Respiration and ingestion were estimated according to the literature. Net production efficiency averaged 0.50. Ingestion was dominated by herbivores in the littoral zones (46–81%), while detritivores made up 93% in the profundal zone. Total zoobenthic production averaged 6% of estimated available food with a range from 10–11% in the three upper littoral zones to only 2% in the Nitella zone. The profundal fauna converted 6% of the estimated sedimentation of organic matter to secondary production. On a lakewide basis the zoobenthis utilized one third of the estimated potential food resources. Zoobenthic production made up 32% of total secondary production.

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  1. Freshwater Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, 51 Helsingørsgade, DK-3400, Hillerød, Denmark

    Clauss Lindegaard

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Lindegaard, C. The role of zoobenthos in energy flow in deep, oligotrophic Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland. Hydrobiologia 243, 185–195 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00007034

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