Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Is reduction of the benthivorous fish an important cause of high transparency following biomanipulation in shallow lakes?

  • Part Four: Whole Lake Studies
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Experimental reduction of the fish stock in two shallow lakes in The Netherlands shows that such a biomanipulation can lead to a substantial increase in transparency, which is caused not only by a decrease in algal biomass, but also by a decrease in resuspended sediment and detritus. A model was developed to describe transparency in relation to chlorophyll-a and inorganic, suspended solids (resuspended sediment). With the use of this model it is shown that more than 50% of the turbidity in these shallow lakes before biomanipulation was determined by the sediment resuspension, mainly caused by benthivorous fish.

Another analysis reveals that the concentration of inorganic suspended solids and the biomass of benthivorous fish are positively correlated, and that even in the absence of algae a benthivorous fish biomass of 600 kg ha−1 can reduce the Secchi depth to 0.4 m in shallow lakes. In addition, it is argued that algal biomass is also indirectly reduced by removal of benthivorous fish. Reduction of benthivorous fish is necessary to get macrophytes and macrophytes seem to be necessary to keep the algal biomass low in nutrient-rich shallow lakes. It is concluded that the impact of benthivorous fish on the turbidity can be large, especially in shallow lakes.

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

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

    CAS  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.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bakema, A. H., 1988. Empirische licht modellering voor een aantal Nederlandse meren. WL T387. Delft, 68 pp.

  • Crivelli, A., 1983. The destruction of aquatic vegetation by carp. Hydrobiologia 106: 37–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Bernardi, R. & G. Guissani, 1978. Effect of mass fish mortality on zooplankton structure and dynamics in all small Italian lakes (Lago di Annone). Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 20: 1045–1048.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fletcher, A. R., A. K. Morison & D. J. Hume, 1985. Effects of carpCyprinus carpio L. on communities of aquatic vegetation and turbidity of waterbodies in the lower Goulburn River Basin. Aust. J. mar. Freshwat. Res. 36: 311–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gons, H. J., R. van Keulen & R. Veeningen, 1986. Effects of wind on a shallow lake ecosystem. Redistribution of particles in the Loosdrecht lakes. Hydrobiol. Bull. 20: 109–120.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grimm, M. P., 1989. Northern pike (Esox lucius L.) and aquatic vegetation, tools in the management of fisheries and water quality in shallow waters. Hydrobiol. Bull. 23: 59–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gulati, R. D., 1990. Structural and grazing responses of zooplankton community to biomanipulation of some Dutch water bodies. Hydrobiologia 200/201: 99–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, M. A. & M. G. Butler, 1990. Early responses of plankton and turbidity to biomanipulation in a shallow prairie lake. Hydrobiologia 200/201: 317–327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henrikson, L., H. G. Nyman, H. G. Oscarson & J. A. Stenson, 1980. Trophic changes without changes in the external nutrient loading. Hydrobiologia 68: 257–263.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Horppilla, J. & T. Kairesalo, 1990. A fading recovery: the role of roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) in maintaining high phytoplankton productivity and biomass in lake Vesijärvi, southern Finland. Hydrobiologia 200/201: 153–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hosper, S. H., 1989. Biomanipulation, new perspective for restoring shallow, eutrophic lakes in the Netherlands. Hydrobiol. Bull. 23: 5–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeppesen, E., J. P. Jensen, P. Kristensen, M. Søndergaard, E. Mortensen, O. Sjortkjær & K. Olrik, 1990. 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 

  • Kirk, J. T. O., 1983. Attenuation of solar radiation in scattering-absorbing waters; a simplified procedure for its calculation. Applied Optics 23: 3737–3739.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGrimmon, H. R., 1968. Carp in Canada. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd Can., 165 pp.

  • Meijer, M.-L., A. J. P. Raat & R. W. Doef, 1989. Restoration by biomanipulation of the Dutch shallow, eutrophic lake Bleiswijkse Zoom; first results. Hydrobiol. Bull. 23: 49–59.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meijer, M.-L., E. H. R. R. Lammens, A. J. P. Raat, M. P. Grimm & S. H. Hosper, 1990. Impact of cyprinids on zooplankton and algae in ten drainable ponds; preliminary results. Hydrobiologia 191: 275–284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moss, B., 1990. Engineering and biological approaches to the restoration from eutrophication of shallow lakes in which aquatic plant communities are important components. Hydrobiologia 200/201: 367–377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozimek, T., R. D. Gulati & E. van Donk, 1990. Can macrophytes be useful in biomanipulation of lakes? The Lake Zwemlust example. Hydrobiologia 200/201: 399–407.

    Google Scholar 

  • Painter, D. S., K. J. McCabe & W. L. Simson, 1988. Past and present limnological conditions in Cootes paradise aquatic vegetation. National Water Research Institute no. 88-47. Burlington, Ontario, 34 pp.

  • Preisendorfer, R. W., 1986. Secchi disk science: Visual optics of natural waters. Limnol. Oceanogr. 41: 909–926.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reinertsen, H. & Y. Olsen, 1984. Effects of fish elimination on the phytoplankton community of an eutrophic lake. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 22: 649–657.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ricker, W. E., 1975. Computation and interpretation of biological statistics of fish populations. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 191, 382 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robel, R. J., 1961. The effects of carp populations on the production on waterfowl food plants on a western waterfowl marsh. Trans. 36th. Am. Wildl. Nat. Res. Conf.: 147–159.

  • Roberts, A. L., 1969. European carp in Gippsland. Fur Feathers Fins 121: 14–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, J. & D. I. Wright, 1984. Lake restoration by biomanipulation: Round Lake, Minnesota, the first two years. Freshwat. Biol. 14: 317–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, J., V. Lamarra & M. Lynch, 1975. Biomanipulation: an ecosystem approach to lake restoration. In P. L. Brezonit & J. L. Fox (eds.), Water Quality Management through Biological Control. Rep. no. ENV-07-75-1 Univ. of Florida, Gainesville.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R. R. & F. J. Rohlf, 1969. Biometry. The principles and practice of statistics in biological research. W. M Freeman and Comp., San Francisco, 859 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tatrai, I. & V. Istvanovics, 1986. The role of fish in the regulation of nutrient cycling in lake Balaton, Hungary. Freshwat. Biol. 16: 417–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ten Winkel, E. H. & J. T. Meulemans, 1984. Effects of fish upon submerged vegetation. Hydrobiol. Bull. 18: 157–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Threinen, C. W. & W. T. Helm, 1954. Experiments and observations designed to show carp destruction of aquatic vegetation. J. Wildl. Manage. 18: 247–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Donk, E., A. Veen & J. Ringelberg, 1988. Natural community bioassays to determine the abiotic factors that control phytoplankton growth and succession. Freshwat. Biol. 20: 199–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Donk, E., R. D. Gulati & M. P. Grimm, 1989. Food-web manipulation in lake Zwemlust; positive and negative effects during the first two years. Hydrobiol. Bull. 23: 19–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vermaat, J. E., M. J. M. Hootsman & G. M. van Dijk, 1990. Ecosystem development in different types of littoral enclosures. Hydrobiologia 200/201: 391–398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wium-Andersen, S., U. Anthoni, C. Christophersen & G. Houen, 1982. Allelopathic effects on phytoplankton by substances isolated from aquatic macrophytes (Charales). Oikos 39: 187–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Inland Water Management and Waste Water Treatment, P.O. Box 17, 8200 AA, Lelystad, The Netherlands

    M. -L. Meijer, M. W. de Haan, A. W. Breukelaar & H. Buiteveld

Authors
  1. M. -L. Meijer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. W. de Haan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. W. Breukelaar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. H. Buiteveld
    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

Meijer, M.L., de Haan, M.W., Breukelaar, A.W. et al. Is reduction of the benthivorous fish an important cause of high transparency following biomanipulation in shallow lakes?. Hydrobiologia 200, 303–315 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02530348

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02530348

Key words

Search

Navigation