Abstract
Aquatic macrophytes have a key role in aquatic ecosystems because they can structure biotic communities by offering habitat for many aquatic organisms, especially periphytic algae. The aim of this study was to evaluate the periphytic algal structure (taxonomic diversity and functional traits) in two macrophytes with different architectures (Nymphaea L. and Cabomba Aubl.). We tested the hypothesis that architectures of the Nymphaea and Cabomba affect in a different way the periphytic algae community, increasing taxa richness and density in more complex substrate (Cabomba), and that the taxa composition, life form and adherence form are different between both types of macrophyte. In addition, we tested whether there is higher algae density without a fixed structure on complex substrate. The study was conducted in Caxiuanã National Forest, one of the largest protected areas in the Pará state, Eastern Amazon. The samplings were made in blocks with two levels (Nymphaea and Cabomba) under the same abiotic conditions. Our results showed that there was a significant difference in taxa richness and density between macrophytes, with higher values in Cabomba. We found more exclusive species in more complex substrate (70, Cabomba), than less complex substrate (19, Nymphaea). Furthermore, species composition, life form and adherence form also showed differences between macrophytes, with higher algae density without a fixed structure on Cabomba. These results indicated that when the source of algal propagules is the same (mixed bank of macrophytes), the habitat complexity tightly influenced the diversity of periphytic algae community.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Ferreira Penna Research Station for the logistical support in this fieldwork. This work was supported by the project Establishing a Brazilian-Norwegian master course in tropical rainforest ecology and biodiversity by UTFORSK 2017 number UTF-2017-four-year/10053 and in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brazil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001.
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. H. Leão quantified the biological material, analyzed the results and wrote the manuscript. LCR Esdar complemented the discussion and revised the language. B. Dunck reviewed and complemented the paper.
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Leão, H., Esdar, L.C.R. & Dunck, B. The role of macrophyte architecture in driving periphytic algal communities in a lowland river in the Brazilian Amazon. Braz. J. Bot 44, 263–272 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-020-00674-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-020-00674-9