Abstract
The results reported here are part of a joint study on possible ecological effects in the delta area of Lake Randsfjorden, Southern Norway, caused by a reduction in water flow as a result of hydroelectric power development.
From 1988 to 1990 the mean daily water flow decreased sharply and the total load of suspended matter was greatly reduced. During the same period there was an increase in oligochaete abundance from 6,096 ind. m−2 in 1988 to 100,051 ind. m−2 in 1989 and 154,345 ind. m−2 in 1990.
Piguetiella blanci was the dominant species in 1988 making up 48.5% of the total community. In 1989, Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Nais variabilis/Nais communis and enchytraeids were the most abundant oligochaetes, making up 29.3%, 26.1% and 28.2%, respectively of the total number. Reduced water flow from 1988 to 1989 and 1990 caused reduced disturbance of the bottom sediments and is considered the main reason for the change in species composition and abundances.
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Svein-Erik, SE. Oligochaete response to changes in water flow in the Dokka Delta, Lake Randsfjorden (Norway), caused by hydroelectric power development. Hydrobiologia 278, 243–249 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00142332
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00142332