scholarly journals Sedimentological processes and environmental variability at Lake Ohrid (Macedonia, Albania) between 640 ka and present day

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 15111-15156 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Francke ◽  
B. Wagner ◽  
J. Just ◽  
N. Leicher ◽  
R. Gromig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Productivity ◽  
Environmental Variability ◽  
Geochemical Data ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Scientific Drilling ◽  
Orbital Parameters ◽  
Tephra Layers ◽  
Deep Site

Abstract. Lake Ohrid (FYROM, Albania) is thought to be more than 1.2 million years old and hosts more than 200 endemic species. As a target of the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP), a successful deep drilling campaign was carried out within the scope of the Scientific Collaboration on Past Speciation Conditions in Lake Ohrid (SCOPSCO) project in 2013. Here, we present lithological, sedimentological, and (bio-)geochemical data from the upper 247.8 m of the overall 569 m long DEEP site sediment succession from the central part of the lake. According to an age model, which is based on nine tephra layers (1st order tie points), and on tuning of biogeochemical proxy data to orbital parameters (2nd order tie points) and to the global benthic isotope stack LR04 (3rd order tie points), respectively, the analyzed sediment sequence covers the last 640 ka. The DEEP site sediment succession consists of hemipelagic sediments, which are interspersed by several tephra layers and infrequent, thin (< 5 cm) mass wasting deposits. The hemipelagic sediments can be classified into three different lithotypes. Lithotype 1 and 2 deposits comprise calcareous and slightly calcareous silty clay and are predominantly attributed to interglacial periods with high primary productivity in the lake during summer and reduced mixing during winter. The data suggest that high ion and nutrient concentrations in the lake water promoted calcite precipitation and diatom growth in the epilmnion in during MIS15, 13, and 5. Following a strong primary productivity, highest interglacial temperatures can be reported for MIS11 and 5, whereas MIS15, 13, 9, and 7 were comparable cooler. Lithotype 3 deposits consist of clastic, silty clayey material and predominantly represent glacial periods with low primary productivity during summer and longer and intensified mixing during winter. The data imply that most severe glacial conditions at Lake Ohrid persisted during MIS16, 12, 10, and 6 whereas somewhat warmer temperatures can be inferred for MIS14, 8, 4, and 3. Interglacial-like conditions occurred during parts of MIS14, and 8.

scholarly journals Sedimentological processes and environmental variability at Lake Ohrid (Macedonia, Albania) between 637 ka and the present

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1179-1196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Francke ◽  
Bernd Wagner ◽  
Janna Just ◽  
Niklas Leicher ◽  
Raphael Gromig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Productivity ◽  
Environmental Variability ◽  
Geochemical Data ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Scientific Drilling ◽  
Orbital Parameters ◽  
Tephra Layers ◽  
Deep Site

Abstract. Lake Ohrid (Macedonia, Albania) is thought to be more than 1.2 million years old and host more than 300 endemic species. As a target of the International Continental scientific Drilling Program (ICDP), a successful deep drilling campaign was carried out within the scope of the Scientific Collaboration on Past Speciation Conditions in Lake Ohrid (SCOPSCO) project in 2013. Here, we present lithological, sedimentological, and (bio-)geochemical data from the upper 247.8 m composite depth of the overall 569 m long DEEP site sediment succession from the central part of the lake. According to an age model, which is based on 11 tephra layers (first-order tie points) and on tuning of bio-geochemical proxy data to orbital parameters (second-order tie points), the analyzed sediment sequence covers the last 637 kyr. The DEEP site sediment succession consists of hemipelagic sediments, which are interspersed by several tephra layers and infrequent, thin (< 5 cm) mass wasting deposits. The hemipelagic sediments can be classified into three different lithotypes. Lithotype 1 and 2 deposits comprise calcareous and slightly calcareous silty clay and are predominantly attributed to interglacial periods with high primary productivity in the lake during summer and reduced mixing during winter. The data suggest that high ion and nutrient concentrations in the lake water promoted calcite precipitation and diatom growth in the epilimnion during MIS15, 13, and 5. Following a strong primary productivity, highest interglacial temperatures can be reported for marine isotope stages (MIS) 11 and 5, whereas MIS15, 13, 9, and 7 were comparably cooler. Lithotype 3 deposits consist of clastic, silty clayey material and predominantly represent glacial periods with low primary productivity during summer and longer and intensified mixing during winter. The data imply that the most severe glacial conditions at Lake Ohrid persisted during MIS16, 12, 10, and 6, whereas somewhat warmer temperatures can be inferred for MIS14, 8, 4, and 2. Interglacial-like conditions occurred during parts of MIS14 and 8.

scholarly journals Pollen-based paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic change at Lake Ohrid (south-eastern Europe) during the past 500 ka

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1423-1437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Sadori ◽  
Andreas Koutsodendris ◽  
Konstantinos Panagiotopoulos ◽  
Alessia Masi ◽  
Adele Bertini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Good Correspondence ◽  
Scientific Drilling ◽  
Near Eastern ◽  
Orbital Parameters ◽  
Age Model ◽  
Tephra Layers ◽  
Assemblage Zone ◽  
Yugoslavian Republic ◽  
Glacial Periods

Abstract. Lake Ohrid is located at the border between FYROM (Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia) and Albania and formed during the latest phases of Alpine orogenesis. It is the deepest, the largest and the oldest tectonic lake in Europe. To better understand the paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental evolution of Lake Ohrid, deep drilling was carried out in 2013 within the framework of the Scientific Collaboration on Past Speciation Conditions (SCOPSCO) project that was funded by the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP). Preliminary results indicate that lacustrine sedimentation of Lake Ohrid started between 1.2 and 1.9 Ma ago. Here we present new pollen data (selected percentage and concentration taxa/groups) of the uppermost  ∼  200 m of the 569 m long DEEP core drilled in the depocentre of Lake Ohrid. The study is the fruit of a cooperative work carried out in several European palynological laboratories. The age model of this part of the core is based on 10 tephra layers and on tuning of biogeochemical proxy data to orbital parameters. According to the age model, the studied sequence covers the last  ∼  500 000 years at a millennial-scale resolution ( ∼  1.6 ka) and records the major vegetation and climate changes that occurred during the last 12 (13 only pro parte) marine isotope stages (MIS). Our results indicate that there is a general good correspondence between forested/non-forested periods and glacial–interglacial cycles of the marine isotope stratigraphy. The record shows a progressive change from cooler and wetter to warmer and drier interglacial conditions. This shift in temperature and moisture availability is visible also in vegetation during glacial periods. The period corresponding to MIS11 (pollen assemblage zone OD-10, 428–368 ka BP) is dominated by montane trees such as conifers. Mesophilous elements such as deciduous and semi-deciduous oaks dominate forest periods of MIS5 (PASZ OD-3, 129–70 ka BP) and MIS1 (PASZ OD-1, 14 ka BP to present). Moreover, MIS7 (PASZ OD-6, 245–190 ka) shows a very high interglacial variability, with alternating expansions of montane and mesophilous arboreal taxa. Grasslands (open vegetation formations requiring relatively humid conditions) characterize the earlier glacial phases of MIS12 (PASZ OD-12, 488–459 ka), MIS10 (corresponding to the central part of PASZ OD-10, 428–366 ka) and MIS8 (PASZ OD-7, 288–245 ka). Steppes (open vegetation formations typical of dry environments) prevail during MIS6 (OD-5 and OD-4, 190–129 ka) and during MIS4-2 (PASZ OD-2, 70–14 ka). Our palynological results support the notion that Lake Ohrid has been a refugium area for both temperate and montane trees during glacials. Closer comparisons with other long southern European and Near Eastern pollen records will be achieved through ongoing high-resolution studies.

Half-precession signals in Lake Ohrid and their spatial and temporal connection to proxy records in the European realm

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne Ulfers ◽  
Christian Zeeden ◽  
Silke Voigt ◽  
Thomas Wonik
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Variability ◽  
Sediment Cores ◽  
Balkan Peninsula ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Scientific Drilling ◽  
Proxy Records ◽  
Natural Gamma ◽  
Climatic System ◽  
Natural Climate

&lt;p&gt;Lake Ohrid is located on the Balkan Peninsula between Albania and North Macedonia. It is considered Europe&amp;#8217;s oldest lake and thus is a valuable archive for studies that focus on the change of local (hydro-)climate during the last 1.36 million years (e.g., Francke et al. 2016; Wagner et al. 2019). During an International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP) campaign in 2013, geophysical downhole logging by the Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics acquired continuous datasets of physical properties. Additionally, 2100 m of sediment core was obtained from different sites, the deepest with a length of 570 m (Wagner et al. 2014).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Investigations of half-precession (HP) cycles (~9,000 &amp;#8211; 12,000 years) have been given only a small role or have been completely neglected in previous cyclostratographic studies. In this study we focus on HP signals in Lake Ohrid and investigate the temporal variability of this signal over the last one million of years. Next to a connection of HP cycles to interglacials, we see a more pronounced correlation of the HP signal to natural gamma radiation logs in the younger part of the record.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We relate the results from Lake Ohrid to a variety of proxy records from the European mainland and marine sediment cores from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Certain patterns, such as the increased visibility of the HP signal in interglacials, occur in most records, but differences, like variations in the amplitude modulation of the filtered HP signal, need to be investiagted in more detail. Nevertheless, the HP cycles are contained in all of the investigated sites, although the records are influenced by different climatic systems. This illustrates that HP signals cannot be connected to a certain climatic system, but can occur simultaneously in records with different proxy signal origins.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;HP cycles are a relevant part of natural climate variability - also in Europe - and allow a more detailed investiagtion of sedimentary systems.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;References:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Francke, A., Wagner, B., Just, J., Leicher, N., Gromig, R., Baumgarten, H., &amp;#8230; &amp; Giacco, B. (2016). Sedimentological processes and environmental variability at Lake Ohrid (Macedonia, Albania) between 637 ka and the present, Biogeosciences , 13, 1179&amp;#8211;1196.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Wagner, B., Wilke, T., Krastel, S., Zanchetta, G., Sulpizio, R., Reicherter, K., &amp;#8230;. &amp; Vogel, H. (2014). The SCOPSCO drilling project recovers more than 1.2 million years of history from Lake Ohrid, Sci. Drill. , 17, 19-29.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Wagner, B., Vogel, H., Francke, A., Friedrich, T., Donders, T., Lacey, J. H., &amp;#8230; &amp; Zhang, X. . (2019). Mediterranean winter rainfall in phase with African monsoons during the past 1.36 million years, Nature , 573(7773), 256-260.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals First tephrostratigraphic results of the DEEP site record from Lake Ohrid (Macedonia and Albania)

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2151-2178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niklas Leicher ◽  
Giovanni Zanchetta ◽  
Roberto Sulpizio ◽  
Biagio Giaccio ◽  
Bernd Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Volcanic Field ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy ◽  
The Balkans ◽  
Tephra Layers ◽  
Deep Site ◽  
Glass Shards

Abstract. A tephrostratigraphic record covering the Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 1–15 was established for the DEEP site record of Lake Ohrid (Macedonia and Albania). Major element analyses (energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and wavelength-dispersive spectroscopy (WDS)) were carried out on juvenile fragments extracted from 12 tephra layers (OH-DP-0115 to OH-DP-2060). The geochemical analyses of the glass shards of all of these layers suggest an origin in the Italian volcanic provinces. They include the Y-3 (OH-DP-0115, 26.68–29.42 ka cal BP), the Campanian Ignimbrite–Y-5 (OH-DP-0169, 39.6 ± 0.1 ka), and the X-6 (OH-DP-0404, 109 ± 2 ka) from the Campanian volcanoes, the P-11 of Pantelleria (OH-DP-0499, 133.5 ± 2 ka), the Vico B (OH-DP-0617, 162 ± 6 ka) from the Vico volcano, the Pozzolane Rosse (OH-DP-1817, 457 ± 2 ka) and the Tufo di Bagni Albule (OH-DP-2060, 527 ± 2 ka) from the Colli Albani volcanic district, and the Fall A (OH-DP-2010, 496 ± 3 ka) from the Sabatini volcanic field. Furthermore, a comparison of the Ohrid record with tephrostratigraphic records of mid-distal archives related to the Mediterranean area allowed the recognition of the equivalents of other less known tephra layers, such as the TM24a–POP2 (OH-DP-0404, 102 ± 2 ka) recognized in the Lago Grande di Monticchio and the Sulmona Basin, the CF-V5–PRAD3225 (OH-DP-0624, ca. 163 ± 22 ka) identified in the Campo Felice Basin and the Adriatic Sea, the SC5 (OH-DP-1955, 493.1 ± 10.9 ka) recognized in the Mercure Basin, and the A11/12 (OH-DP-2017, 511 ± 6 ka) sampled at the Acerno Basin, whose specific volcanic sources are still poorly constrained. Additionally, one cryptotephra (OH-DP-0027) was identified by correlation of the potassium X-ray flourescence (XRF) intensities from the DEEP site with those from a short core of a previous study from Lake Ohrid. In these cores, a maximum in potassium is caused by glass shards, which were correlated with the Mercato tephra (8.43–8.63 ka cal BP) from Somma–Vesuvius. The tephrostratigraphic work presented here allows, for the first time, the extension of a consistent part of the Middle Pleistocene tephrostratigraphy of Italian volcanoes as far as the Balkans. The establishment of the tephrostratigraphic framework for the Lake Ohrid record provides important, independent tie points for the age–depth model of the DEEP site sequence, which is a prerequisite for palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. Furthermore, this age–depth model will help to improve and re-evaluate the chronology of other, both undated and dated tephra layers from other records. Thus, the Lake Ohrid record may potentially become the template for the central Mediterranean tephrostratigraphy, especially for the hitherto poorly known and explored lower Middle Pleistocene period.

scholarly journals Pollen-based paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic change at Lake Ohrid (SE Europe) during the past 500 ka

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 15461-15493 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Sadori ◽  
A. Koutsodendris ◽  
A. Masi ◽  
A. Bertini ◽  
N. Combourieu-Nebout ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Good Correspondence ◽  
Near Eastern ◽  
Orbital Parameters ◽  
Paleoenvironmental Evolution ◽  
Age Model ◽  
Tephra Layers ◽  
Assemblage Zone ◽  
Isotope Stratigraphy ◽  
Vegetation And Climate

Abstract. Lake Ohrid is located at the border between FYROM and Albania and formed during the latest phases of Alpine orogenesis. It is the deepest, the largest and the oldest tectonic lake in Europe. To better understand the paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental evolution of Lake Ohrid a deep drilling was carried out in 2013 within the framework of the Scientific Collaboration on Past Speciation Conditions (SCOPSCO) project that was funded by the International Continental Drilling Program (ICDP). Preliminary results indicate that lacustrine sedimentation of Lake Ohrid started between 1.2 and 1.9 Ma ago. Here we present new pollen data (selected percentage and concentration taxa/groups) of the uppermost ~200 m of the 569 m-long DEEP core drilled in the depocenter of Lake Ohrid. The study is the fruit of a cooperative work carried out in several European palynological laboratories. The age model is based on nine tephra layers and on tuning of biogeochemical proxy data to orbital parameters and to the global benthic isotope stack LR04. According to the age model the studied sequence covers the last ~500 000 years at a millennial-scale resolution (~1.6 ka) and record the major vegetation and climate changes that occurred during the last 12 (13 only pro parte) marine isotope stages (MIS). Our results indicate that there is a general good correspondence between forested/non-forested periods and glacial/interglacial cycles of marine isotope stratigraphy. Our record shows a progressive change from cooler and wetter to warmer and dryer interglacial conditions. This shift is visible also in glacial vegetation. The interglacial phase corresponding to MIS11 (pollen assemblage zone, PAZ OD-12, 488–455 ka BP and OD-19, 367–328 ka BP) is dominated by montane trees such as conifers. The two younger interglacial periods, MIS5 (PAZ OD-3, 126–70 ka BP) and MIS1 (PAZ OD-1, 12 ka BP to present) are marked by dominance of mesophilous elements such as deciduous and semi-deciduous oaks. Moreover, MIS7 (PAZ OD-6, 245–189 ka) shows a very high interglacial variability, with alternating expansions of montane and mesophilous arboreal taxa. Grasslands (open vegetation formations requiring relatively humid conditions) characterize the first glacial phases of MIS12 (PAZ OD-12, 488–455 ka), MIS10 (corresponding to PAZ OD-10, 421–367 ka) and MIS8 (PAZ OD-7, 285–245 ka). Steppes (open vegetation formations typical of dry environments) prevail during MIS6 (OD-5 and OD-4, 189–126 ka) and during MIS4–2 (PAZ OD-2, 70–12 ka). Our palynological results support the notion that Lake Ohrid has been a refugium area for both temperate and montane trees during glacials. Close comparisons with other long southern European and Near Eastern pollen records will be achieved through ongoing high-resolution studies.

scholarly journals First tephrostratigraphic results of the DEEP site record from Lake Ohrid, Macedonia

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 15411-15460 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Leicher ◽  
G. Zanchetta ◽  
R. Sulpizio ◽  
B. Giaccio ◽  
B. Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Volcanic Field ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
The Balkans ◽  
Tephra Layers ◽  
Deep Site ◽  
Geochemical Analyses ◽  
Glass Shards

Abstract. A~tephrostratigraphic record covering the Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 1–15 was established for the DEEP site record of Lake Ohrid (Macedonia/Albania). Major element analyses (SEM-EDS/WDS) were carried out on juvenile fragments extracted from 12 tephra layers (OH-DP-0115 to OH-DP-2060). The geochemical analyses of the glass shards of all of these layers suggest an origin from the Italian Volcanic Provinces. They include: the Y-3 (OH-DP-0115, 26.68–29.42 cal ka BP), the Campanian Ignimbrite/Y-5 (OH-DP-0169, 39.6 ± 0.1 ka), and the X-6 (OH-DP-0404, 109 ± 2 ka) from the Campanian volcanoes, the P-11 of the Pantelleria Island (OH-DP-0499, 129 ± 6 ka), the Vico B (OH-DP-0617, 162 ± 6 ka) from the Vico volcano, the Pozzolane Rosse (OH-DP-1817, 457 ± 2 ka) and the Tufo di Bagni Albule (OH-DP-2060, 527 ± 2 ka) from the Colli Albani volcanic district, and the Fall A (OH-DP-2010, 496 ± 3 ka) from the Sabatini volcanic field. Furthermore, a comparison of the Ohrid record with tephrostratigraphic records of mid-distal archives related to the Mediterranean area, allowed the recognition of the equivalents of other less known tephra layers, such as the TM24-a/POP2 (OH-DP-0404, 101.8 ka) from the Lago Grande di Monticchio and the Sulmona basin, the CF-V5/PRAD3225 (OH-DP-0624, ca. 162 ka) from the Campo Felice basin/Adriatic Sea, the SC5 (OH-DP-1955, 493.1 ± 10.9 ka) from the Mercure basin, and the A11/12 (OH-DP-2017, 511 ± 6 ka) from the Acerno basin, whose specific volcanic sources are still poorly constrained. Additionally, one cryptotephra (OH-DP-0027) was identified by correlation of the potassium XRF intensities from the DEEP site with those from short cores of previous studies from Lake Ohrid. In these cores, a maximum in potassium is caused by glass shards, which were correlated with the Mercato tephra (8.43–8.63 cal ka BP) from Somma-Vesuvius. With the tephrostratigraphic work, a consistent part of the Middle Pleistocene tephrostratigraphic framework of Italian volcanoes was for the first time extended as far as to the Balkans. The establishment of the tephrostratigraphic framework for the Lake Ohrid record provides important, independent tie-points for the age-depth model of the DEEP site sequence, which is a prerequisite for paleoclimatic and -environmental reconstructions. Furthermore, this age-depth model will help to improve and re-evaluate the chronology of other, both undated and dated tephra layers from other records. Thus, the Lake Ohrid record is candidate to become the Rosetta stone for the central Mediterranean tephrostratigraphy, especially for the hitherto poorly known and explored lower Middle Pleistocene period.

scholarly journals A representation of the phosphorus cycle for ORCHIDEE (revision 3985)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel S. Goll ◽  
Nicolas Vuichard ◽  
Fabienne Maignan ◽  
Albert Jornet-Puig ◽  
Jordi Sardans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Productivity ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Net Primary Productivity ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Soil Development ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Phosphorus Cycle ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Leaf Level

Abstract. Land surface models rarely incorporate the terrestrial phosphorus cycle and its interactions with the carbon cycle, despite the extensive scientific debate about the importance of nitrogen and phosphorus supply for future land carbon uptake. We describe a representation of the terrestrial phosphorus cycle for the land surface model ORCHIDEE, and evaluate it with data from nutrient manipulation experiments along a soil formation chronosequence in Hawaii. ORCHIDEE accounts for influence of nutritional state of vegetation on tissue nutrient concentrations, photosynthesis, plant growth, biomass allocation, biochemical (phosphatase-mediated) mineralization and biological nitrogen fixation. Changes in nutrient content (quality) of litter affect the carbon use efficiency of decomposition and in return the nutrient availability to vegetation. The model explicitly accounts for root zone depletion of phosphorus as a function of root phosphorus uptake and phosphorus transport from soil to the root surface. The model captures the observed differences in the foliage stoichiometry of vegetation between an early (300yr) and a late stage (4.1 Myr) of soil development. The contrasting sensitivities of net primary productivity to the addition of either nitrogen, phosphorus or both among sites are in general reproduced by the model. As observed, the model simulates a preferential stimulation of leaf level productivity when nitrogen stress is alleviated, while leaf level productivity and leaf area index are stimulated equally when phosphorus stress is alleviated. The nutrient use efficiencies in the model are lower as observed primarily due to biases in the nutrient content and turnover of woody biomass. We conclude that ORCHIDEE is able to reproduce the shift from nitrogen to phosphorus limited net primary productivity along the soil development chronosequence, as well as the contrasting responses of net primary productivity to nutrient addition.

Short-lived dissolved nitrate pulses in a shallow Western Australian coastal lagoon

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (10) ◽  
pp. 1068 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Lourey ◽  
H. Kirkman
Keyword(s):  
Primary Productivity ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Physical Forcing ◽  
Nitrate Concentrations ◽  
Energy Environment ◽  
Carbon Recycling ◽  
Western Australian

The source of nutrients that sustains abundant benthic primary productivity on Western Australian coastal reef systems is unknown, but it is possible that cycling between organic matter production and remineralisation contributes and may be enhanced by variations in the magnitude of physical forcing. We have used a 5-year nitrate dataset collected at weekly, daily and hourly temporal scales to investigate dynamics and supply mechanisms in Marmion Lagoon, Perth, Western Australia. Nitrate concentrations were variable over short time scales (hours) and formed pulses of elevated nutrient concentrations. On average, nitrate concentrations were highest during the high energy winter period (June to August) and scant wave data (June to August 1984) suggest a general correlation between wave activity and nitrate concentration. While it was not possible to definitively link variations in nitrate to wave forcing, increased energy may have promoted carbon recycling and nitrate release (possibly through abrasion of macroalgae, resuspension of detrital material or enhanced pore water exchange). Rapid uptake suggests that the nitrate pulses observed here may help sustain primary productivity in this shallow high energy environment. High temporal (hourly) variability suggests future surveys must sample at a frequency adequate to isolate long-term temporal trends from short-term background variations.

scholarly journals Effects of nutrient availability and other elevational changes on bromeliad populations and their invertebrate communities in a humid tropical forest in Puerto Rico

2000 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara A. Richardson ◽  
M. J. Richardson ◽  
F. N. Scatena ◽  
W. H. Mcdowell
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Primary Productivity ◽  
Net Primary Productivity ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Faunal Abundance ◽  
High Plant Density

Nutrient inputs into tank bromeliads were studied in relation to growth and productivity, and the abundance, diversity and biomass of their animal inhabitants, in three forest types along an elevational gradient. Concentrations of phosphorus, potassium and calcium in canopy-derived debris, and nitrogen and phosphorus in phytotelm water, declined with increasing elevation. Dwarf forest bromeliads contained the smallest amounts of debris/plant and lowest concentrations of nutrients in plant tissue. Their leaf turnover rate and productivity were highest and, because of high plant density, they comprised 12.8% of forest net primary productivity (0.47 t ha−1 y−1), and contained 3.3 t ha−1 of water. Annual nutrient budgets indicated that these microcosms were nutrient-abundant and accumulated < 5% of most nutrients passing through them. Exceptions were K and P in the dwarf forest, where accumulation was c. 25% of inputs. Animal and bromeliad biomass/plant peaked in the intermediate elevation forest, and were positively correlated with the debris content/bromeliad across all forest types. Animal species richness showed a significant mid-elevational peak, whereas abundance was independent of species richness and debris quantities, and declined with elevation as forest net primary productivity declined. The unimodal pattern of species richness was not correlated with nutrient concentrations, and relationships among faunal abundance, species richness, nutrient inputs and environment are too complex to warrant simple generalizations about nutrient resources and diversity, even in apparently simple microhabitats.

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