What is it about?
Algae that can cope with very low availability of phosphorus and/or water dominate relative biomass in the Florida Everglades, a wetland once known as the "river of grass" that has been heavily managed to limit flooding and supply water to millions of people for decades.
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Why is it important?
The conservation of near-pristine habitats in the Southern Everglades (i.e. Everglades National Park) can support healthy mats of algae, bacteria, fungi and detritus (i.e. periphyton) into the future. However, low surface water phosphorus conditions need to be preserved by purifying upstream waters that are released from agricultural and urban areas from excess nutrients (especially phosphorus from fertilizers). Otherwise, these 'natural carpets' (periphyton mats) risk breaking down into loose assemblages with non native opportunistic species.
Perspectives
I analysed a large dataset of taxonomic identifications and counts of all algae found in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan Monitoring and Assessment Plant from 2005 to 2011 and came up with a new way to look at algal community structure by quantifying dominance in relation to algal traits and hydrology and nutrient conditions. I participate in the annual sampling of this ongoing research project funded by the US Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District.
Dr. Luca Marazzi
Earthwatch Europe
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Phosphorus scarcity and desiccation stress increase the occurrence of dominant taxa in wetland benthic primary producer communities, Aquatic Ecology, August 2017, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s10452-017-9637-0.
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