Resolving the Drivers of Algal Nutrient Limitation from Boreal to Arctic Lakes and Streams
Nutrient inputs to northern freshwaters are changing, potentially altering aquatic ecosystem functioning through effects on primary producers. Yet, while primary producer growth is sensitive to nutrient supply, it is also constrained by a suite of other factors, including light and temperature, whic...
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ftwestchesteruni:oai:digitalcommons.wcupa.edu:bio_facpub-1074 2023-05-15T14:56:48+02:00 Resolving the Drivers of Algal Nutrient Limitation from Boreal to Arctic Lakes and Streams Myrstener, Maria Fork, Megan Bergstrom, Ann-Kristin Puts, Isolde Callisto Hauptmann, Demian Isles, Peter D. F. Burrows, Ryan M. Sponseller, Ryan A. 2022-04-01T07:00:00Z application/pdf https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/bio_facpub/73 https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1074&context=bio_facpub unknown Digital Commons @ West Chester University https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/bio_facpub/73 https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1074&context=bio_facpub Biology Faculty Publications nutrient limitation lake stream nitrogen phosphorus phytoplankton periphyton Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology text 2022 ftwestchesteruni 2022-04-23T22:45:17Z Nutrient inputs to northern freshwaters are changing, potentially altering aquatic ecosystem functioning through effects on primary producers. Yet, while primary producer growth is sensitive to nutrient supply, it is also constrained by a suite of other factors, including light and temperature, which may play varying roles across stream and lake habitats. Here, we use bioassay results from 89 lakes and streams spanning northern boreal to Arctic Sweden to test for differences in nutrient limitation status of algal biomass along gradients in colored dissolved organic carbon (DOC), water temperature, and nutrient concentrations, and to ask whether there are distinct patterns and drivers between habitats. Single nitrogen (N) limitation or primary N-limitation with secondary phosphorus (P) limitation of algal biomass was the most common condition for streams and lakes. Average response to N-addition was a doubling in biomass; however, the degree of limitation was modulated by the distinct physical and chemical conditions in lakes versus streams and across boreal to Arctic regions. Overall, algal responses to N-addition were strongest at sites with low background concentrations of dissolved inorganic N. Low temperatures constrained biomass responses to added nutrients in lakes but had weaker effects on responses in streams. Further, DOC mediated the response of algal biomass to nutrient addition differently among lakes and streams. Stream responses were dampened at higher DOC, whereas lake responses to nutrient addition increased from low to moderate DOC but were depressed at high DOC. Our results suggest that future changes in nutrient availability, particularly N, will exert strong effects on the trophic state of northern freshwaters. However, we highlight important differences in the physical and chemical factors that shape algal responses to nutrient availability in different parts of aquatic networks, which will ultimately affect the integrated response of northern aquatic systems to ongoing environmental changes. Text Arctic Phytoplankton Digital Commons @ West Chester University Arctic |
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Open Polar |
collection |
Digital Commons @ West Chester University |
op_collection_id |
ftwestchesteruni |
language |
unknown |
topic |
nutrient limitation lake stream nitrogen phosphorus phytoplankton periphyton Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology |
spellingShingle |
nutrient limitation lake stream nitrogen phosphorus phytoplankton periphyton Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Myrstener, Maria Fork, Megan Bergstrom, Ann-Kristin Puts, Isolde Callisto Hauptmann, Demian Isles, Peter D. F. Burrows, Ryan M. Sponseller, Ryan A. Resolving the Drivers of Algal Nutrient Limitation from Boreal to Arctic Lakes and Streams |
topic_facet |
nutrient limitation lake stream nitrogen phosphorus phytoplankton periphyton Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology |
description |
Nutrient inputs to northern freshwaters are changing, potentially altering aquatic ecosystem functioning through effects on primary producers. Yet, while primary producer growth is sensitive to nutrient supply, it is also constrained by a suite of other factors, including light and temperature, which may play varying roles across stream and lake habitats. Here, we use bioassay results from 89 lakes and streams spanning northern boreal to Arctic Sweden to test for differences in nutrient limitation status of algal biomass along gradients in colored dissolved organic carbon (DOC), water temperature, and nutrient concentrations, and to ask whether there are distinct patterns and drivers between habitats. Single nitrogen (N) limitation or primary N-limitation with secondary phosphorus (P) limitation of algal biomass was the most common condition for streams and lakes. Average response to N-addition was a doubling in biomass; however, the degree of limitation was modulated by the distinct physical and chemical conditions in lakes versus streams and across boreal to Arctic regions. Overall, algal responses to N-addition were strongest at sites with low background concentrations of dissolved inorganic N. Low temperatures constrained biomass responses to added nutrients in lakes but had weaker effects on responses in streams. Further, DOC mediated the response of algal biomass to nutrient addition differently among lakes and streams. Stream responses were dampened at higher DOC, whereas lake responses to nutrient addition increased from low to moderate DOC but were depressed at high DOC. Our results suggest that future changes in nutrient availability, particularly N, will exert strong effects on the trophic state of northern freshwaters. However, we highlight important differences in the physical and chemical factors that shape algal responses to nutrient availability in different parts of aquatic networks, which will ultimately affect the integrated response of northern aquatic systems to ongoing environmental changes. |
format |
Text |
author |
Myrstener, Maria Fork, Megan Bergstrom, Ann-Kristin Puts, Isolde Callisto Hauptmann, Demian Isles, Peter D. F. Burrows, Ryan M. Sponseller, Ryan A. |
author_facet |
Myrstener, Maria Fork, Megan Bergstrom, Ann-Kristin Puts, Isolde Callisto Hauptmann, Demian Isles, Peter D. F. Burrows, Ryan M. Sponseller, Ryan A. |
author_sort |
Myrstener, Maria |
title |
Resolving the Drivers of Algal Nutrient Limitation from Boreal to Arctic Lakes and Streams |
title_short |
Resolving the Drivers of Algal Nutrient Limitation from Boreal to Arctic Lakes and Streams |
title_full |
Resolving the Drivers of Algal Nutrient Limitation from Boreal to Arctic Lakes and Streams |
title_fullStr |
Resolving the Drivers of Algal Nutrient Limitation from Boreal to Arctic Lakes and Streams |
title_full_unstemmed |
Resolving the Drivers of Algal Nutrient Limitation from Boreal to Arctic Lakes and Streams |
title_sort |
resolving the drivers of algal nutrient limitation from boreal to arctic lakes and streams |
publisher |
Digital Commons @ West Chester University |
publishDate |
2022 |
url |
https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/bio_facpub/73 https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1074&context=bio_facpub |
geographic |
Arctic |
geographic_facet |
Arctic |
genre |
Arctic Phytoplankton |
genre_facet |
Arctic Phytoplankton |
op_source |
Biology Faculty Publications |
op_relation |
https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/bio_facpub/73 https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1074&context=bio_facpub |
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1766328864578994176 |