Original paper
A note on the colonization of limestone rocks by Cyanobacteria
Pentecost, Allan
Archiv für Hydrobiologie Volume 124 Number 2 (1992), p. 167 - 172
15 references
published: Mar 31, 1992
DOI: 10.1127/archiv-hydrobiol/124/1992/167
ArtNo. ESP141012402002, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
Three vertical limestone surfaces with differing moisture regimes were cleared of cyanobacteria and their rate of recolonization observed over a 10-year period. At the wettest site, recolonization was complete within a year, but the thick, moisture-retaining mats were prone to exfoliation and loss by freeze-thaw action, with the removal of significant amounts of mat and underlying rock during winter. At the driest site, complete recolonization was not observed and will probably take several decades. Water availability controlled the rate of recolonization, and to some extent the biomass (as chlorophyll-a) and productivity.
Keywords
limestone • moisture • recolonization • biomass • chlorophyll-a