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Ecological effects of acidification on primary producers in aquatic systems

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Abstract

For each of the aquatic communities of the phytoplankton, the periphyton and the macrophytes, recent studies of community structure related to acidification are reviewed. While biomass and productivity do not generally decrease, there are rather consistent decreases in species richness and profound changes in species composition as pH decreases. It is unclear whether these changes result from the effect of H+, lowered concentrations of nutrients, change in chemical form of nutrients, toxic metals, or alterations in grazing pressure, but evidence for each of these is considered. We have most information on the plankton, less on periphyton and little on macrophytes. The massive invasion of Sphagnum and the resulting oligotrophication hypothesized to have occurred in Swedish lakes does not seem to be occurring in other regions under acid stress. Implications for the aquatic ecosystem as a result of these structural changes include loss of resilience in the plant communities, habitat effects related to excessive growth of periphyton and macrophytes, modification of nutrient cycling by the benthic mats, and alteration of the food base for grazers. More studies are required on functional changes in primary producer communities related to acidification; these will lead to more testable hypotheses concerning mechanisms.

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Stokes, P.M. Ecological effects of acidification on primary producers in aquatic systems. Water Air Soil Pollut 30, 421–438 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00305212

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