Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Impact of cyprinid reduction on the benthic macroinvertebrate community and implications for increased nitrogen retention

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The benthic macroinvertebrate community in a severely eutrophicated South Swedish lake, Lake Ringsjön, was found to re-establish after the lake was subjected to a substantial reduction of cyprinids (mainly bream and roach). Being totally dominated by chironomids and oligochaetes during the 1980s, the lake became repopulated by groups like Amphipoda, Ephemeroptera, Coleoptera and Mollusca after the fish reduction in 1988–1992. These groups appeared in numbers similar to that found in 1969, before the lake entered its worst stage of eutrophication. The re-establishment of the invertebrates mainly occurred in the littoral parts of the lake. The profundal community was still dominated by chironomids and oligochaetes after the fish reduction. The increase in numbers of benthic macroinvertebrates in the littoral zone of the lake was likely an effect of lowered predation pressure from fish. The potential role of an increased macroinvertebrate abundance due to fish removal and its effects on recirculation of nutrients over the sediment–water interface is discussed. It was observed that average total nitrogen retention in Lake Ringsjön before and after the reduction was 59±5% and 82±15%, respectively.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aller, R. C., 1988. Benthic fauna and biogeochemical processes in marine sediments: the role of burrow structures. In T. H. Blackburn & J. Sörensen (eds), Nitrogen Cycling in Coastal Marine Environments. Wiley & Sons, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andersson, G., H. Berggren, G. Cronberg & C. Gelin, 1978. Effects of planktivorous and benthivorous fish on organisms and water chemistry in eutrophic lakes. Hydrobiologia 59: 9–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andersson, G., 1981. Influence of fish on waterfowl and lakes. Anser 20: 21–34 (in Swedish with English summary).

    Google Scholar 

  • Andersson, G., 1984. The role of fish in lake ecosystems – and in Limnology. In S. Bosheim & M. Nicholls (eds), Interaksjoner Mellom Trofiske Nivåer i Ferskvann. Nordisk limnologsymposium, 3-4 April 1984, Norge. Norsk Limnologforening, Oslo 1984.

  • Andersson, G., W. Granéli & J. Stenson, 1988. The influence of animals on phosphorus cycling in lake ecosystems. Hydrobiologia 170: 267–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg, S., E. Jeppesen, M. Søndergaard & E. Mortensen, 1994. Environmental effects of introducing whitefish, Coregonus laveratus (L.), in Lake Ring. Hydrobiologia 275/276: 71–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergman, E., 1990. Effects of roach, Rutilus rutilus, on two percids, Perca fluviatilis and Gymnocephalus cernua: importance of species interaction for diet shifts. Oikos 57: 443–453.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergman, E., 1999. Changes in the nutrient load and lake water chemistry in Lake Ringsjön, southern Sweden, from 1966 to 1996. Hydrobiologia 404: 9–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergman, E. & L. A. Greenberg, 1994. Competition between a planktivore, a bethivore, and a species with ontogenetic diet shifts. Ecology 75: 1233–1245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boström, B., M. Jansson & C. Forsberg, 1982. Phosphorus release from lake sediments. Arch. Hydrobiol. Beih. Ergebn. Limnol. 18: 5–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brundin, L., 1949. Chironomiden und andere Bodentieren der Südschwedischen Urbirgsseen. Rept. Inst. Freshw. Res., Drottningholm 30.

  • Carpenter, S. R. & J. F. Kitchell, 1988. Consumer control of lake productivity. Bioscience 38: 764–769.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cederberg, E. & M. Runesson, 1982. Bottenfaunan i Östra Ringsjön. (In Swedish). Inst. Report. Dept. Limnology, Lund Univ., 12pp.

  • Chatarpaul, L., J. B. Robinson & N. K. Kaushik, 1979. Role of tubificid worms on nitrogen transformations in stream sediment. Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada 36: 673–678.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chatarpaul, L., J. B. Robinson & N. K. Kaushik, 1980. Effects of tubificid worms on denitrification and nitrification in stream sediment. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 37: 656–663.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diehl, S., 1992. Fish predation and benthic community structure: The role of omnivory and habitat complexity. Ecology 73: 1646–1661.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukuhara, H. & M. Sakamoto, 1987. Enhancement of inorganic nitrogen and phosphate release from lake sediment by tubificid worms and chironimid larvae. Oikos 48: 312–320.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukuhara, H. & M. Sakamoto, 1988. Ecological significance of bioturbation of zoobenthos community in nitrogen release from bottom sediments in a shallow eutrophic lake. Arch. Hydrobiol. 113: 425–445.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gophen, M., 1990. Biomanipulation: retrospective and future development. Hydrobiologia 200/201: 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Granéli, W., 1999. Internal phosphorus loading in Lake Ringsjön. Hydrobiologia 404: 19–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamrin, S. F., 1993. Lake restoration by cyprinid control in Sätofta bay (Lake Ringsjön). Verh. Int. Ver. Limnol. 25: 487–493.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamrin, S. F., 1999. Planning and execution of the fish reduction in Lake Ringsjön. Hydrobiologia 404: 59–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansson, L.-A., M. Enell & E. Bergman, 1999. Lake Ringsjön: its catchment area, its history and its importance. Hydrobiologia 404: 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henriksen, K., J. I. Hansen & T. H. Blackburn, 1980. The in-fluence of benthic infauna on exchange rates of inorganic nitrogen between sediment and water. Ophelia Supplementum 1: 249–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hergenrader, G. L. & D. C. Lessig, 1980. Eutrophication of the Salt Valley reservoirs, 1968–73 III. The macroinvertebrate community: Its development, composition, and change in response to eutrophication. Hydrobiologia 75: 7–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hosper, S. H. & E. Jagtman, 1990. Biomanipulation additional to nutrient control for restoration of shallow lakes in the Netherlands. Hydrobiologia 200/201: 523–534.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeppesen. E., M. Søndergaard, E. Mortensen, P. Kristensen, B. Riemann, H. J. Jensen, J. P. Müller, O. Sortkjaer, J. P. Jensen, K. Christoffersen, S. Bosselmann & E. Dall, 1990a. Fish manipulation as a lake restoration tool in shallow, eutrophic temperate lakes 1: Cross-analysis of three danish case-studies. Hydrobiologia 200/201: 205–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeppesen. E., J. P. Jensen, P. Kristensen, M. Søndergaard, E. Mortensen, O. Sortkjaer & K. Olrik, 1990b. Fish manipulation as a lake restoration tool in shallow, eutrophic temperate lakes 2: Threshold levels, long-term stability and conclusions. Hydrobiologia 200/201: 219–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeppesen. E., J. P. Jensen, M. Søndergaard, T. Lauridsen, P. H. Møller & K. Sandby, 1998. Changes in nitrogen retention in shallow eutrophic lakes following a decline in density of cyprinids. Arch. Hydrobiol. 142: 129–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jonasson, P., 1969. Bottom fauna and eutrophication. In Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences, Correctives. National Acad. Sci., Washington, D.C.: 274–305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kajak, Z., 1988. Considerations on benthos abundance in Freshwaters, its factors and mechanisms. Int. Rev. ges. Hydrobiol. 73: 5–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitchell, J. F., R. V. O'Neill, D. Webb, G.W. Gallepp, S. M. Bartell & J. F. Koonce, 1979. Consumer regulation of nutrient cycling. Bioscience 29: 28–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kranzberg, G., 1985. The influence of bioturbation on physical and biological parameters in aquatic environments; A review. Environ. Pollut. Ser A 39: 99–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kristensen, E., 1988. Benthic fauna and biogeochemical processes in marine sediments: microbial activities and fluxes. In T.H. Blackburn and J. Sörensen (eds), Nitrogen Cycling in Coastal Marine Environments. Wiley & Sons, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kristensen, E., M. H. Jensen & R. C. Aller, 1991. Direct measurement of dissolved inorganic nitrogen exchange and denitrification in individual polychaete (Nereis virens) burrows. J. Mar. Res. 49: 355–377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lammens, E. H. R. R., H. W. de Nie, J. Vijverberg & W. L. T. van Densen, 1985. Resource partitioning and niche shifts of bream (Abramis brama) and eel (Anguilla anguilla). Mediated by predation of smelt (Osmerus eperlanus) on Daphnia hyalina. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 42: 1342–1351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muus, B. J. & P. Dahlström, 1981. Sötvattenfisk och fiske (In Swedish). P.A. Nordstedt & Söners förlag, Stockholm. ISBN 91-1-814002-5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson, L., 1972. Local distribution, food choice and food consumption of diving ducks of a South Swedish lake. Oikos 23: 82–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelegrí, S. P., L. P Nielsen & T. H. Blackburn, 1994. Denitrification in estuarine sediment stimulated by the irrigation activity of the amphipod Corophium volutator. Marine Ecology Progress Series 105: 285–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelegrí, S. P. & T. H. Blackburn, 1995a. Effect of bioturbation by Nereis sp., Mya arenaria and Cerastoderma sp. on nitrification and denitrification in estuarine sediments. Ophelia 42: 289–299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelegrí, S. P. & T. H. Blackburn, 1995b. Effects of Tubifex tubifex (Oligochaeta: Tubificidae) on N-mineralization in freshwater sediments, measured with 15N-isotopes. Aquat. Microbial Ecol. 9: 289–294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Persson, A., 1997. Fish excretion in relation to internal and external load in an eutrophic lake. Limnol. Oceanogr. 42: 577–583.

    Google Scholar 

  • Persson, L., 1983a. Food consumption and competition between age classes in a perch (Perca fluviatilis) population in a shallow eutrophic lake. Oikos 40: 197–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Persson, L., 1983b. Effects of intra-and inter-specific competition on dynamics and size structure of a perch Perca fluviatilis and a roach Rutilus rutilus population. Oikos 41: 126–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Persson, L. & L. Greenberg, 1990. Juvenile competitive bottlenecks: the perch (Perca fluviatilis)–roach (Rutilus rutilus) interaction. Ecology 71: 44–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Persson, L. G., G. Andersson, S. F. Hamrin & L. Johansson, 1988. Predator regulation and primary production along the productivity gradient of temperate lake ecosystems. In S. R. Carpenter (ed.), Complex Interactions in Lake Communities. Springer Verlag, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterka, J. J., 1972. Benthic invertebrates in Lake Ashtabula reservoir, North Dakota. Am. Midl. Nat. 88: 408–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petr, T., 1977. Bioturbation and exchange of chemicals in the mudwater interface. In H. L. Golterman (ed.), Interaction Between Sediment and Freshwater. Dr W. Junk, The Hague: 216–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riemann, B., K. Christoffersen, H. J. Jensen, J. P. Müller, C. Lindegaard & S. Bosselmann, 1990. Ecological consequences of a manual reduction of roach and bream in a eutrophic, temperate lake. Hydrobiologia 200/201: 241–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, J., 1990. Biomanupulation: the next phase – making it stable. Hydrobiologia 200/201: 13–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strand, J., 1999. The development of submerged macrophytes in Lake Ringsjön after biomanipulation. Hydrobiologia 404: 113–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Svensson, J. M. & L. Leonardson, 1996. Effects of bioturbation by tube-dwelling chironimid larvae on oxygen uptake and denitrification in eutrophic lake sediments. Freshwat. Biol. 35: 289–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Svensson, J. M., 1997. Influence of Chironomus plumosus larvae on ammonium flux and denitrification (measured by acetylene blockage-and isotope pairing-technique) in eutrophic lake sediment. Hydrobiologia 346: 157–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Svärdson, G., 1976. Interspecific population dominance in fish communities of Scandinavian lakes. Rept. Inst. Freshw. Res., Drottningholm 55: 144–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walls, M., I. Kortelainen & J. Sarvala, 1990. Prey responses to fish predation in freshwater communities. Ann. Zool. Fennici 27: 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Limnology, Insitute of Ecology, Ecology Building, University of Lund, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden

    Jonas M. Svensson & Eva Bergman

  2. County Administration of Scania, SE-205 15, Malmö, Sweden

    Gunnar Andersson

Authors
  1. Jonas M. Svensson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Eva Bergman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gunnar Andersson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Svensson, J.M., Bergman, E. & Andersson, G. Impact of cyprinid reduction on the benthic macroinvertebrate community and implications for increased nitrogen retention. Hydrobiologia 404, 99–112 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003772529654

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003772529654

Search

Navigation