Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Use of Phytoplankton Assemblages for Monitoring Ecological Status of Lakes within the Water Framework Directive: The Assemblage Index

  • Opinion Paper
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

On basis of recent developments in phytoplankton ecology an assemblage index, Q, was developed to assess ecological status of different lake types established by the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Since 5 ≥ Q ≥ 0, the developed index can provide 5-grade qualification required by WFD. Case studies from very different lake types support the usefulness of the developed index. Straights and weaknesses of the Q index for monitoring purposes are discussed. Without arguing for the superiority of the assemblage index in comparison with any other measures of ecological status of lakes, we aim to open a discussion about its possible applications.

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

  • J. Braun-Blanquet (1964) Pflanzensoziologie Springer Wien 865

    Google Scholar 

  • P. Brettum (1989) Alger som indikatorer pa vannkvalitet i␣norske innsjoer. Planteplankton NIVA Blindern, Oslo

    Google Scholar 

  • F. E. Clements (1916) Plant Succession: An Analysis of the Development of Vegetation Carnegie Institute Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • InstitutionalAuthorNameEC Parliament and Coincil (2000) Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council 2000/60/EC Establishing a Framework for Community Action in the Field of Water Policy European Commission Luxembourg

    Google Scholar 

  • H. Gleason (1927) ArticleTitleFurther views on the succession-concept Ecology 8 299–326

    Google Scholar 

  • I. Grigorszky G. Borics J. Padisák B. Tótmérész G. Vasas S. Nagy G. Borbély (2003) ArticleTitleFactors controlling the occurrence of Dinophyta species in Hungary Hydrobiologia 506–507 203–207

    Google Scholar 

  • Gulyás P., 1998. Szaprobiológiai indikátorfajok jegyzéke. [List of saprobic indicator species] Vízi Természet- és Környezetvédelem, Környezetgazdálkodási Intézet, Budapest. [in Hungarian].

  • Heinonen P., 1980. Quantity and composition of phytoplankton in Finish inland waters. Publication of the Water Research Institute.

  • Honti, M., V. Istvánovics & A. Osztoics, in press. Stability and change of phytoplankton communities in a highly dynamic environment – the case of large, shallow Lake Balaton (Hungary). Hydrobiologia.

  • E. Hörnström (1981) ArticleTitleTrophic characterisation of lakes by means of quantitative phytoplankton analysis Limnologica 13 249–361

    Google Scholar 

  • Istvánovics V., A. Clement, L. Somlyódy, A. Specziár, L. G.-Tóth & J. Padisák, in press. Updating water quality targets for shallow Lake Balaton (Hungary), recovering from eutrophication. Hydrobiologia.

  • V. Istvánovics A. Osztoics M. Honti (2004) ArticleTitleDynamics and ecological significance of daily internal load of phosphorus in shallow Lake Balaton, Hungary Freshwater Biology 49 232–252

    Google Scholar 

  • H. Järnefelt (1952) ArticleTitlePlankton als Indikator der Trophiegruppen der Seen. – Annales Academia Scientarium Fennica A IV Biology 18 1–29

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Kalff (2002) Limnology Prentica Hall Upper Sadle River, New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Komárek K. Anagnostidis (1999) Cyanoprokaryota. Chroococcales. Süβwasserflora von Mitteleuropa 19/1 Gustav Fischer Jena

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Kozhov (1963) Lake Baikal and its Life Dr. W. Junk Press The Hague

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Kümmerlin (1990) ArticleTitlePlankton-Gemenischaften als Bioindikatoren für Stehgewässer Ökologie und Naturschutz 3 227–241

    Google Scholar 

  • Lepistö L., 1999. Phytoplankton assemblages reflecting the ecological status of lakes in Finland. Monographs of the Boreal Environment Research 16, Tampere.

  • L. Lepistö U. Rosenström (1998) ArticleTitleThe most typical phytoplankton taxa in four lakes in Finland Hydrobiologia 369/370 89–97

    Google Scholar 

  • U. Mischke B. Nixdorf E. Hoehn U. Riedmüller (2002) Möglichkeiten zur Bewertung von Seen anhand des Phytoplanktons. Aktueller Stend in Deutschland. Aktuelle Reihe 5/02: 25–37 Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus

    Google Scholar 

  • Naselli Flores L., J. Padisák, M. T. Dokulil, (eds), 2003a. Phytoplankton and Equilibrium Concept: The Ecology of Steady-State Assemblages. Hydrobiologia 502, Developments in Hydrobiology 172.

  • L. Naselli-Flores J. Padisák M. T. Dokulil I. Chorus (2003b) ArticleTitleEquilibrium/steady-state concept in phytoplankton ecology Hydrobiologia 502 395–403

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Nygaard (1949) ArticleTitleHydrobiological studies on some Danish ponds and lakes. Pert II: The quotient hypothesis and some little known plankton organisms Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab Biologiske Skrifter 7 1–293

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Padisák (1998) Sudden and gradual responses of phytoplankton to global climate change: case studies from two large, shallow lakes (Balaton, Hungary and the Neusiedlersee Austria/Hungary) D. G, George J. G, Jones P. Puncochar C. S. Reynolds D. W. Sutcliffe (Eds) Management of Lakes and Reservoirs during Global Change Kluwer Academic Publishers Dordrecht, Boston. London 111–125

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Padisák R. Adrian (1999) Biovolumen W. Tümpling G. Friedrich (Eds) Methoden der Biologischen Wasseruntersuchung 2. Biologische Gewässeruntersuchung, Chapter 5.1 Gustav Fischer Verlag Jena 334–367

    Google Scholar 

  • J. F. Padisák A. R. Barbosa R. Koschel L. Krienitz (2003a) ArticleTitleDeep layer cyanoprokaryota maxima are constitutional features of lakes: examples from temperate and tropical regions Archiv für Hydrobiologie, Special Issues Advances in Limnology 58 175–199

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Padisák G. Borics G. Fehér I. Grigorszky I. Oldal A. Schmidt Z. Zámbóné-Doma (2003b) ArticleTitleDominant species and frequency of equilibrium phases in late summer phytoplankton assemblages in Hungarian small shallow lakes Hydrobiologia 502 157–168

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Padisák M. Dokulil (1994) ArticleTitleMeroplankton dynamics in a saline, turbulent, turbid shallow lake (Neusiedlersee, Austria and Hungary) Hydrobiologia 289 23–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Padisák, J., L. Krienitz & W. Scheffler, 1999. Chapter 3.6.1. Phytoplankton In Tümpling, W. & Friedrich, G. (eds), Methoden der Biologischen Wasseruntersuchung 2. Biologische Gewässeruntersuchung Gustav Fischer Verlag Jena: 35–52.

  • Padisák, J., G. Molnár, É. Soróczki-Pintér, É. Hajnal & D. G. George, (in press), Four consecutive dry years in Lake Balaton (Hungary): consequences for phytoplankton biomass and composition. Verhandlunger der Internationale Vereinigung für Limnologie Vol. 29.

  • J. Padisák C. S. Reynolds (1998) ArticleTitleSelection of phytoplankton associations in Lake Balaton, Hungary, in response to eutrophication and restoration measures, with special reference to cyanoprokaryotes Hydrobiologia 384 41–53

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Padisák C. S. Reynolds U. Sommer (1993) Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis in Phytoplankton Ecology. Developments in Hydrobiology 81/Hydrobiologia 249 Kluwer Acad. Publ Dordrecht, Boston, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Padisák J. & I. Szabó, 1997. Botanikai kutatások: alacsony- és magasabbrendû növények [Botanical results: lower- and higher plants] In Salánki J. & J. Nemcsók (eds), A Balaton kutatás eredményei 1981–1996 [Results of scientific research in Lake Balaton between 1981 and 1997): 97–136. VEAB, Veszprém, ISBN 963 7385 452 [in Hungarian].

  • W. Pankin (1941) ArticleTitleDie Vegetation einiger Seen und Umgebung von Joachimsthal Bibliotheca Botanica, H 119 1–162

    Google Scholar 

  • W. Pankin (1945) ArticleTitleZur Entwicklungsgeschichte der Algensoziologie und zum Problem der ‘echten’ und ‘zugehörigen’ Algengesellschaften Archiv für Hydrobiologie 41 92–111

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Popovsky L. A. Pfiester (1990) Dinophyceae (Dinophyta). Süβwasserflora von Mitteleuropa 6 Gustav Fischer Jena

    Google Scholar 

  • C. S. Reynolds (1980) ArticleTitlePhytoplankton assemblages and their periodicity in stratifying lake systems Holarctic Ecology 3 141–159

    Google Scholar 

  • C. S. Reynolds (1988) Functional morphology and the adaptive strategies of freshwater phytoplankton C. D. Sandgren (Eds) Growth and Reproductive Strategies of Freshwater Phytoplankton Cambridge University Press Cambridge 388–433

    Google Scholar 

  • C. S. Reynolds (1997) Vegetation Processes in the Pelagic Ecology Institute Oldendorf/Luhe, Germany

    Google Scholar 

  • C. S. Reynolds (2000) ArticleTitlePhytoplankton designer – or how to predict compositional responses to trophic-state change Hydrobiologia 424 123–132

    Google Scholar 

  • C. S. Reynolds V. Huszar K. Kruk L. Naselli-Flores S. Melo (2002) ArticleTitleTowards classification of the freshwater phytoplankton Journal of Plankton Research 24 417–428 Occurrence Handle10.1093/plankt/24.5.417

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G. Rosén (1981) ArticleTitlePhytoplankton indicators and their relation to certain chemical and physical factors Limnologica 13 263–290

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Scheffer S. Reinaldi J. Huisman F. J. Weissing (2003) ArticleTitleWhy plankton communities have no equilibrium: solutions to the paradox Hydrobiologia 491 9–18 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1024404804748

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • W. Scheffler J. Padisák (2000) ArticleTitleStephanocostis chantaicus (Bacillariophyceae): morphology and population dynamics of a rare centric diatom growing in winter under ice in the oligotrophic Lake Stechlin, Germany Archiv für Hydrobiologie 98/Algological Studies 133 49–69 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXlt1yit74%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • I. Schönfelder (1997) Eine Phosphor-Diatomeen-relation für alkalische Seen und Flüsse Brandenburgs und ihre Anwendung für die paläolimnologische Analyse von Auensedimenten der unteren Havel. Dissertaiones Botanicae 283 Cramer J Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • U. Sommer (1986) ArticleTitleThe periodicity of phytoplankton in Lake Constance (Bodensee) in comparison to other deep lakes of central Europe Hydrobiologia 138 1–7 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00027228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • U. Sommer (1991) Phytoplankton: directional succession and forced cycles H. Remmert (Eds) The Mosaic-Cycle Concept of Ecosystems Springer Verlag Berlin 132–146

    Google Scholar 

  • U. Sommer M. Gliwicz W. Lampert A. Duncan (1986) ArticleTitleThe PEG model of seasonal succession of planktonic events in fresh waters Archiv für Hydrobiologie 106 433–471

    Google Scholar 

  • J.-J. Symoens E. Kusel-Fetzmann J.-P. Descy (1988) Algal communities of continental waters J.-J. Symoens (Eds) Vegetation of Inland Waters Kluwer Academic Publishers Dordrecht 183–221

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Teiling (1955) ArticleTitleSome mesotrophic phytoplankton indicators Verhandlunger der Internationale Vereinigung für Limnologie 12 212–215

    Google Scholar 

  • S. Thunmark (1945) ArticleTitleZur Soziologie des Süsswasserplanktons. Eine methodisch-ökologische Studie Folia Limnologica Skandinvaica 3 1–66

    Google Scholar 

  • A. G. Transley (1935) The British Isles and their Vegetation Cambridge University Press Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • B. Tremel (1996) ArticleTitleDetermination of the trophic state by qualitative and quantitative phytoplankton analysis in twi gravel pit lakes Hydrobiologia 323 1–38

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Tüxen (1955) ArticleTitleDas Systeme der nordwestdeutschen Pflanzengesellschaft Mitteilungen der Floristisch-soziologische Arbeitgemenschaft 5 1–119

    Google Scholar 

  • H. Utermöhl (1958) ArticleTitleZur Vervollkommnung der quantitativen Phytoplankton-Methodik Mitteilungen der internationale Vereinigung der theoretische und angewandte Limnologie 5 567–596

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Limnology, University of Veszprém, Egyetem u. 10, H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary

    Judit Padisák & Éva Soróczki-Pintér

  2. Environmental Protection Inspectorate for Trans-Tiszanian Region, H-4025, Debrecen, Hungary

    Gábor Borics

  3. Botanical Department, University of Debrecen, P.O. Box 14, H-4010, Debrecen, Hungary

    István Grigorszky

Authors
  1. Judit Padisák
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gábor Borics
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. István Grigorszky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Éva Soróczki-Pintér
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Judit Padisák.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Padisák, J., Borics, G., Grigorszky, I. et al. Use of Phytoplankton Assemblages for Monitoring Ecological Status of Lakes within the Water Framework Directive: The Assemblage Index. Hydrobiologia 553, 1–14 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-005-1393-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-005-1393-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation