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Spatial heterogeneity of littoral benthic diatoms in a large lake: monitoring implications

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Abstract

Benthic diatoms inhabiting littoral zones are regarded as promising bioindicators in lakes. Some pre-standard protocols were proposed and suggested to collect a single site per lake to assess its overall quality. In large lakes, such as Lake Geneva, a spatial heterogeneity of diatom assemblages was suspected, because of differing human pressures. Thirty-five sites were sampled along the shoreline in locations showing various population densities and crossed by rivers flowing into the lake. Different assemblages were found; one corresponded to more oligotrophic areas and was mostly situated on the shoreline next to low population densities; it was mostly composed of low-profile diatoms. A second one corresponded to more eutrophic areas and was mostly situated near densely inhabited areas; it was composed of many high-profile diatoms. A third one was in close vicinity to river inlets, with high abundances of motile diatoms. This last assemblage was spatially restricted to the river plume. After testing several diatom indices, one showed better capacities to assess nutrient level (EPI-L). If we avoid areas near river inlets, the ecological quality assessed with diatom indices ranged from moderate to high ecological status depending on the vicinity situated more or less near densely populated areas.

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Acknowledgments

This study was involved in the IMPALAC Project financed by the French Ministry in charge of environmental affairs (MEEDDAT). The authors warmly thank M. G. Kelly is for his constructive review which brought new ideas to the manuscript and Professor Elliot Shubert for revising the English and scientific content of the paper.

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  1. INRA, UMR Carrtel, 75 av. de Corzent, BP 511, 74203, Thonon les Bains cedex, France

    Frédéric Rimet, Agnès Bouchez & Kalman Tapolczai

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  1. Frédéric Rimet
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  2. Agnès Bouchez
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Rimet, F., Bouchez, A. & Tapolczai, K. Spatial heterogeneity of littoral benthic diatoms in a large lake: monitoring implications. Hydrobiologia 771, 179–193 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-015-2629-y

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