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Environmental filters influencing phytoplankton taxonomic structure in cascade reservoirs

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Abstract

In this study we analyzed the dynamics of the phytoplankton community in two cascade reservoirs in six sampling periods, to investigate the influence of environmental filters on phytoplankton, and the community concordance with the environmental variability. We addressed several questions, and from phytoplankton biomass data and abiotic variables sampled at the Salto Osório and Salto Santiago reservoirs, Paraná, Brazil, we obtained the answers. A total of 136 taxa distributed in cyanobacteria, diatoms, green algae and mixotrophic flagellates were recorded. Diatoms and mixotrophic flagellated algae contributed most of the phytoplankton biomass in both reservoirs. Environmental filters such as nutrient concentrations, light, pH, depth and temperature had the greatest influence on phytoplankton taxonomic structure, being the community in concordance with the environmental conditions. Although some environmental differences between reservoirs were recorded, the phytoplankton community was similar, probably associated with environmental connectivity, but with differences in biomass, which is possibly associated with seston retention in upstream regions. Our results revealed important drivers that influence the phytoplankton structure and dynamics in reservoirs, and this understanding is of interest, due to the maintenance of ecosystem functions and services.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development) for the post-doctorate fellowship granted to JCB (Process 165796/2015-4). We would also like to thank the GERPEL (Research Group on Fishery Resources and Limnology) for providing technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Avenida Esperança, s/n, Goiânia, Goiás, 74690-900, Brazil

    Jascieli Carla Bortolini

  2. Instituto Neotropical de Pesquisas Ambientais (INEO), Rua Guaíra, 2006, Toledo, Paraná, 85902-140, Brazil

    Pedro Rogério Leandro da Silva

  3. Grupo de Pesquisas em Recursos Pesqueiros e Limnologia (GERPEL), Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, Rua da Faculdade, 645, Toledo, Paraná, 85903-000, Brazil

    Gilmar Baumgartner

  4. Programa de Pós-graduação em Conservação e Manejo de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, Rua Universitária, 2019, Cascavel, Paraná, 85819-110, Brazil

    Norma Catarina Bueno

Authors
  1. Jascieli Carla Bortolini
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  2. Pedro Rogério Leandro da Silva
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  3. Gilmar Baumgartner
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  4. Norma Catarina Bueno
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Contributions

JCB contributed to phytoplankton sample analysis, data analysis and manuscript writing. PRLS and GB contributed to collection of biological and physical–chemical material as well as provide the analysis of physical–chemical samples, and reviewed the last version of this manuscript. NCB took part in guidance in the development of the project and reviewed the last version of this manuscript.

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Correspondence to Jascieli Carla Bortolini.

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Bortolini, J.C., da Silva, P.R.L., Baumgartner, G. et al. Environmental filters influencing phytoplankton taxonomic structure in cascade reservoirs. Braz. J. Bot 43, 405–412 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-020-00604-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-020-00604-9

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