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Impact of a Flood Event on the Planktonic Food Web of the Schelde Estuary (Belgium) in Spring 1998

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Abstract

To evaluate the effect of short-term changes in discharge on plankton dynamics, a station in the upper reaches of the Schelde estuary was monitored during 1 month in spring 1998 with a sampling frequency of 1–2 days. During this monitoring period, a flood event occurred during which discharge increased about 5-fold. This flood event had a strong effect on the composition of the planktonic community. Rotifers were strongly negatively affected by the flood event while densities of heterotrophic nanoflagellates and scuticociliates increased. Chlorophyll a concentration and abundance of bacteria, oligotrich ciliates and crustacean zooplankton did not respond clearly to the flood event. Although the flood event lasted only a few days it took more than 2 weeks for the planktonic community to return to its original composition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Katholic University Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, B-3001, Heverlee, Belgium

    Koenraad Muylaert

  2. Department of Biology, University Gent, Krijgslaan 281 – S8, B-9000, Gent, Belgium

    Wim Vyverman

Authors
  1. Koenraad Muylaert
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  2. Wim Vyverman
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Correspondence to Koenraad Muylaert.

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Muylaert, K., Vyverman, W. Impact of a Flood Event on the Planktonic Food Web of the Schelde Estuary (Belgium) in Spring 1998. Hydrobiologia 559, 385–394 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-005-1081-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-005-1081-9

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