Articles
Limnology of Kandy Lake before the outbreak of a cyanobacteria bloom in May 1999. III. Phytoplankton composition and succession
Authors:
E.I.L. Silva ,
LK
About E.I.L.
Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka
S.R.M.S. Samaradiwakara
LK
About S.R.M.S.
Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Abstract
Composition and succession of the phytoplankton community in Kandy lake were examined from September 19% to August 1998, with a view to understand the community structure and its seasonal and spatial distribution patterns. Thirty-seven species of phytoplankton belonging to eight taxonomic groups were identified. The number of species per sampling occasion ranged from 15 to 25 with an average of 20. There were 15 Chlorophyceae species but only seven species were important in the community structure. Pediastrum simplex appeared as either dominant or sub-dominant species. Cyanophyceae, the second most important group was represented by nine species with moderate densities of Micorcystis aeruginosa and Merismopedia punctata. The diatom, Aulacoseira granulata, was also found as either a dominant or a sub-dominant species with three other diatom species of minor importance.
The occurrence of A. granulata and P. simplex showed a rhythmic oscillation under wet and dry weather conditions until the latter was curtailed by other species from April 1998 onwards. The phytoplankton density was low during the peak rainy season. Four functional species of phytoplankton were identified. These were a) large chain forming centric diatom, A. granulata dominating during the wet weather (K-strategist); b) a colony forming Chlorophyceae, i.e., P. simplex common during the dry weather (K-strategist); c) Colony forming Cyanobacteria namely scum forming M. aeruginosa (r-strategist); and d) M. punctata, a small colony forming non-heterocystous cyanobacteria, appearing in moderate numbers throughout the year (K-strategist).
How to Cite:
Silva, E.I.L. and Samaradiwakara, S.R.M.S., 2005. Limnology of Kandy Lake before the outbreak of a cyanobacteria bloom in May 1999. III. Phytoplankton composition and succession. Sri Lanka Journal of Aquatic Sciences, 10, pp.55–71. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljas.v10i0.7460
Published on
15 Jun 2005.
Peer Reviewed
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