Patterns and drivers for benthic algal biomass in sub-Arctic mountain ponds
Year of publication
2023
Authors
Heikkinen, Janne Matias; Pajunen, Virpi; Soininen, Janne; Niittynen, Pekka Oskari
Abstract
This study investigated the spatial variation in total benthic algal biomass and within cyanobacteria, green algae, and diatoms in sub-Arctic ponds. Additionally to more widely used explanatory variables, snowmelt and ice duration were considered as their importance on algal communities is poorly understood. The data comprised algal biomasses from 45 sub-Arctic ponds in the Finnish Lapland. A generalized linear model and hierarchical partitioning were used to identify the significantly influential variables. Cyanobacteria were the most abundant algal group. Trace elements (e.g. Fe, Al, and Mn) were the most significant explanatory variable group in explaining algal biomasses. Macronutrients apart from K were found insignificant in all models. There were positive relationships between some algal biomasses indicating no strong competition between them. Snow and ice variables were found insignificant for all models, but they could have an important secondary role on algal communities. The results highlight the importance of trace elements in shaping algal biomasses in sub-Arctic ponds and thus their wider use in research can be advocated to better understand the productivity of nutrient poor and acidic waters in sub-Arctic regions. Focussing on benthic algal biomasses and the chemical composition of sub-Arctic freshwaters provides important information on the aquatic primary production.
Show moreOrganizations and authors
University of Jyväskylä
Niittynen Pekka
Aalto University
Pajunen Virpi
Publication type
Publication format
Article
Parent publication type
Journal
Article type
Original article
Audience
ScientificPeer-reviewed
Peer-ReviewedMINEDU's publication type classification code
A1 Journal article (refereed), original researchPublication channel information
Journal
Parent publication name
Publisher
Volume
851
ISSN
Publication forum
Publication forum level
2
Open access
Open access in the publisher’s service
Yes
Open access of publication channel
Partially open publication channel
Self-archived
Yes
Other information
Fields of science
Environmental sciences; Ecology, evolutionary biology; Plant biology, microbiology, virology; Environmental engineering
Keywords
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Publication country
Netherlands
Internationality of the publisher
International
Language
English
International co-publication
No
Co-publication with a company
No
DOI
10.1007/s10750-023-05368-3
The publication is included in the Ministry of Education and Culture’s Publication data collection
Yes