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Periphyton communities in Amazonian black- and whitewater habitats: Community structure, biomass and productivity

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Abstract

Chlorophyll a-concentrations, AFWD (ash-free-dry-weight) and photosynthesis rates were estimated for periphyton assemblages in Amazonian black-and white-water habitats over 14 months. Cellulose-acetate strips were incubated in situ and showed few major differences in periphyton quality as compared to natural substrata. The only exceptions were submersed Igapó forest leaves, which exhibited higher proportions of green algae and cyanobacteria though not producing differences in total periphyton biomass. Enclosure experiments showed a considerable nutrient release by inundated non-senescent Igapó forest leaves. Periphyton biomass and productivity were found to be highest in black-and white water mixing zones, where biomass peaked at 41.6 mg Chla/m2 and 19.8 g/m2 AFDW. Production was estimated to be 380 gC/m2·a. Maximum biomass of periphyton in floating meadows was 46 mg Chla/m2 and 10.6 g/m2 AFDW, with an annual production of 170 gC/m2·a. Solimões main channel periphyton values were low: maximum Chla was 7.1 mg/m2, AFDW 0.8 g/m2 and annual production was estimated to be 30 gC/m2. Blackwater periphyton values were lower compared to whitewater and mixed water values but an enlarged trophogenic zone has to be taken into account. Highest Chla content reached 30.9 mg/m2, AFDW 1.43 g/m2. Estimated annual production was 110 gC/m2. Observed mean periphyton productivity of Amazonian blackwater habitats approximately corresponded to mesotrophic attached algae productivity in temperate zones, whereas productivity of whitewater periphyton approached those of temperate eutrophic lakes. The role of periphyton in the Amazon food web is discussed.

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  1. Department of Tropical Ecology, Max-Planck-Institute for Limnology, Postfach 165, 24302, Plön, Germany

    Rainer Putz

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Putz, R. Periphyton communities in Amazonian black- and whitewater habitats: Community structure, biomass and productivity. Aquatic Science 59, 74–93 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02522552

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02522552

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