Abstract
High phytoplankton productivity characterizes the eutrophic lakes of the upper Qu'Appelle River system. Annual primary production varied from 187 to 561 g C m− while daily areal production varied from 290 to 8 575 mg C m−2. The Amax range was 164 to 315 mg C m−3h−1 with the highest rates usually occurring in August or September. Amax values on any given day normally occurred in the top 0.5 m.
Blue-green algae (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Microcystis aeruginosa, Oscillatoria prolifica) dominated the phytoplankton communities during the summer and fall. Diatoms (Asterionella formosa, Fragilaria capucina, Stephanodiscus niagarae) often dominated the spring communities but sometimes persisted as dominants through the summer. Fragilaria on occasion was present at very high concentrations in the late fall. Ceratium hirundinella was sometimes dominant but was usually an important part of the biomass. Green algae, although always present, rarely formed an important part of the biomass with Pediastrum duplex the only exception. A species list is appended.
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Hammer, U.T. Limnological studies of the lakes and streams of the upper Qu'Appelle River System, Saskatchewan, Canada. Hydrobiologia 99, 125–144 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00015040
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00015040