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The influence of animals on phosphorus cycling in lake ecosystems

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Abstract

Aquatic animals directly influence the cycling of phosphorus in lakes through feeding and excretion. Traditionally, animals (zooplankton, benthic invertebrates and fish) have been assigned only minor roles in the process of freshwater phosphorus cycling. They were regarded as consumers without much regulating influence. Today there is growing evidence that animals, predators and herbivores, directly or indirectly can control biomass of primary producers and internal cycling of phosphorus.

This paper summarizes different mechanisms of transformation and translocation of phosphorus via different groups of organisms.

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  1. Department of Limnology, University of Lund, Box 65, S-221 00, Lund, Sweden

    Wilhelm Granéli

  2. Department of Zoology, University of Göteborg, Box 25059, S-400 31, Göteborg, Sweden

    Jan Stenson

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  1. Gunnar Andersson
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  2. Wilhelm Granéli
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  3. Jan Stenson
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Andersson, G., Granéli, W. & Stenson, J. The influence of animals on phosphorus cycling in lake ecosystems. Hydrobiologia 170, 267–284 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00024909

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