Phytoplankton and water quality of Lake Kuchane (Pskov region, Russia)

The phytoplankton communities of Lake Kuchane, located in the Mikhailovskoye Museum-Reserve, were studied during different 2016–2017 seasons for the first time. 213 specific and intraspecific taxa from 9 phylums were identified in the phytoplankton, namely: Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Chrysophyta, Euglenophyta, Cyanobacteria, Dinophyta, Cryptophyta, Charophyta, and Xanthophyta. The ratio of the main phylums of microalgae during the studied seasons was similar. The floristic complex of the lake's algoflora consisted of diatoms (36.6%), green (27.2%) and golden (10.8%) algae. Most of the phytoplankton genera contained one species taxon only. The specific composition of the phytoplankton community in 2017 was similar from spring to autumn. The minimum specific similarity of the phytoplankton communities was noted in July, 2016, and August, 2017. According to the level of biomass of planktonic algae, the lake belongs to oligotrophic water bodies. The planktonic algoflora of Lake Kuchane is characterized by the predominance of cosmopolitan freshwater forms of microalgae. In relation to pH, the predominant representatives preferred slightly alkaline waters. The Milius trophic index varied in the range 18.0–39.6 with a maximum value in summer. The Pantle–Bukk saprobity index almost did not change during the entire study. The waters of Lake Kuchane corresponded to the betamesosaprobic self-purification zone, quality class III.

Responses of Freshwater Diatoms and Macrophytes Rely on the Stressor Gradient Length across the River Systems

Phytobenthic diatoms and macrophyte communities respond differently to stressors in aquatic environments. For the assessment of the ecological status of rivers in Slovenia, we use several indices, including the River Macrophyte Index (RMI) and Trophic index (TI) based on macrophyte and phytobenthic diatoms communities, respectively. In the present study, we examined the relationships between nutrient variables and values of RMI and TI using varied stressor gradient lengths. We also aimed to explain the variability of macrophyte and diatom communities with different stressors, namely nutrients and land cover variables and their combinations. The relationships of RMI and TI with nutrient variables varied significantly and were affected by the length of the stressor gradient. We obtained a stronger relationship between the RMI and total phosphorous at an approximately <0.3-mg/L annual mean value, while, for the relationships with the TI, the values were significant at bigger gradient lengths. The greatest share of variability in the macrophyte and diatom community was explained by the combination of land use and nutrient variables and the lowest share by phosphorus and nitrogen variables. When we applied a composite stressor gradient, it explained a similar share of the variability of both macrophyte and diatom communities (up to 26%). A principal component analysis (PCA) based on land use and nutrient stressor gradient revealed that the relationship between RMI EQR and PCA1 that represents intensive agriculture depends on the length of the gradient. The relationship was stronger for shorter gradients at lower values and decreased as the gradient extended towards higher values. Both tested assessment methods showed that macrophyte communities are more sensitive to shorter stressor gradients of lower values, whereas diatom communities are more sensitive to longer stressor gradient and higher values of the stressor.

Tracing the Trophic Plasticity of the Coral–Dinoflagellate Symbiosis Using Amino Acid Compound-Specific Stable Isotope Analysis

The association between corals and photosynthetic dinoflagellates is one of the most well-known nutritional symbioses, but nowadays it is threatened by global changes. Nutritional exchanges are critical to understanding the performance of this symbiosis under stress conditions. Here, compound-specific δ15N and δ13C values of amino acids (δ15NAA and δ13CAA) were assessed in autotrophic, mixotrophic and heterotrophic holobionts as diagnostic tools to follow nutritional interactions between the partners. Contrary to what was expected, heterotrophy was mainly traced through the δ15N of the symbiont’s amino acids (AAs), suggesting that symbionts directly profit from host heterotrophy. The trophic index (TP) ranged from 1.1 to 2.3 from autotrophic to heterotrophic symbionts. In addition, changes in TP across conditions were more significant in the symbionts than in the host. The similar δ13C-AAs signatures of host and symbionts further suggests that symbiont-derived photosynthates are the main source of carbon for AAs synthesis. Symbionts, therefore, appear to be a key component in the AAs biosynthetic pathways, and might, via this obligatory function, play an essential role in the capacity of corals to withstand environmental stress. These novel findings highlight important aspects of the nutritional exchanges in the coral–dinoflagellates symbiosis. In addition, they feature δ15NAA as a useful tool for studies regarding the nutritional exchanges within the coral–symbiodiniaceae symbiosis.

Plant species richness or soil fertility: which affects more the productivity of Scots pine in Central Europe?

It has been highlighted that forest productivity is related both to species richness and to soil fertility; however, thus far it has not been investigated which of these agents is more important for the productivity. The goal of this study was to examine this problem with regard to Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands in Central Europe. The study was conducted in 129 plots located in SW Poland. The productivity of even-aged pine stands was estimated based on site index. Plant species richness was investigated regarding the total richness as well as the richness referring to particular forest strata (overstorey, understorey, herb layer). Soil fertility was studied regarding the nutrients’ stocks, the contents of fine-textural classes, pH, the TOC content and the values of Soil Trophic Index. The importance of the variables for the site index was examined using Spearman correlations and the stepwise regression. Productivity of the studied stands was predominantly correlated stronger to species richness than to soil properties being related to its fertility. The higher importance for the productivity of soil variables than of species richness was exclusively found for the poorest plots being represented by Podzols. This study highlights the high importance of species richness occurring in particular forest strata for the forest stand productivity, which could involve consequences for forest economy as well as for CO2 sequestration. Thus, the research delivers strong argument for the conversion of pine mono-stands occurring in Central Europe for mixed forests.

Integrating In Situ and Ocean Color Data to Evaluate Ecological Quality under the Water Framework Directive

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims at evaluating the ecological status of European coastal water bodies (CWBs). This is a rather complex task and first requires the use of long-term databases to assess the effect of anthropogenic pressure on biological communities. An in situ dataset was assembled using concomitant biological, i.e., chlorophyll a (Chl a) and environmental data, covering the years from 1995 to 2014, to enable a comprehensive assessment of eutrophication in the Western Iberia Coast (WIC). Given the temporal gaps in the dataset, especially in terms of Chl a, satellite observations were used to complement it. Positive relationships between Chl a 90th percentile and nitrogen concentrations were obtained. The Land-Uses Simplified Index (LUSI), as a pressure indicator, showed no relationship with Chl a, except in Galicia, but it highlighted a higher continental pressure in the Portuguese CWBs in comparison with Galician waters. In general terms, the trophic index (TRIX) showed that none of the CWBs were in degraded conditions. Nevertheless, the relatively high TRIX and LUSI values obtained for the water body in front of Tagus estuary suggest that this area should be subject to continued monitoring. Results highlighted the usefulness of satellite data in water quality assessments and set the background levels for the implementation of operational monitoring based on satellite Chl a. In the future, low uncertainty and harmonized satellite products across countries should be provided. Moreover, the assessment of satellite-based eutrophication indicators should also include metrics on phytoplankton phenology and community structure.

Comparison of Assimilative Capacity and Trophic Index for Various Parts of the Sevastopol Bay Water Area

The ecological state of the marine shallow water ecosystem (the case of the Sevastopol Bay) is analyzed by the ratio of assimilative capacity and E-TRIX index depending on the anthropogenic load level for the whole bay ecosystem. As part of analysis, the eastern, central, western parts of the bay were distinguished as well as the Yuzhnaya Bay (southern part). Calculations of the assimilative capacity and E-TRIX index for ecosystems of different parts of the Sevastopol Bay were performed using the in situ data of inorganic nitrogen for the period 1998–2012 obtained from the MHI RAS oceanographic data bank. The paper compares values of ecosystem assimilative capacity calculated for inorganic nitrogen as a prevailing pollutant in municipal and storm wastewaters and E-TRIX trophic index of the sea ecosystem, with the technogenic load and biological process seasonality (warm and cold periods) of nutrient income taken into account. This allowed to properly distinguish water areas, which are most vulnerable in terms of formation of negative ecological events, up to disasters. According to the obtained data, such an area is that of the Yuzhnaya Bay. The second vulnerable water area is the eastern apex part of the Sevastopol bay exposed to the Chernaya River discharge. As the results showed, the situation worsens during winter and spring freshets due to increase in content of inorganic nitrogen forms in the Chernaya River runoff. The ecosystem of the western bay part adjoining the open sea is the safest in terms of nitrate nitrogen assimilative capacity, whereas the central part ecosystem appears to be the cleanest in terms of E-TRIX. The ecosystem most exposed to ecological risks in terms of both indices (assimilative capacity and E-TRIX) is that of the Yuzhnaya Bay (the southern part of the Sevastopol Bay). The observed imbalance of distribution of the calculated trophic index E-TRIX and assimilative capacity in different parts of the Sevastopol Bay is due to various nature of these quantities. The assimilative capacity of an ecosystem is defined by physical, chemical and biological processes given a dynamic removal of pollutants from the ecosystem, whereas E-TRIX is determined, in general, by seasonal variability of nutrient income into the ecosystem.

DSPIR Framework as Planning and Management Tools for the La Boquita Coastal System, Manzanillo, Mexico

Coastal ecosystems are attractive sites for tourism. In the central Pacific coast of Mexico in the La Boquita coastal system (LBCS), consisting of a beach and a coastal lagoon, the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model was implemented for the spatial and temporal analysis of socio environmental indicators, aiming to gather information for decision-making and implementation of management strategies. The spatial occupation (umbrellas and tables) of the beach showed a 50–200% increase during the Easter season relative to the low season, while the area containing restaurants (called “ramadas”) increased by 396% in 15 years, representing pressure on land use for tourism purposes. The density of beach users ranged from moderate to high (<10 m2/user) during the holiday seasons in the tourism area. The Trophic index (TRIX), used as an indicator of trophic status, revealed mesotrophic-to-eutrophic conditions in lagoon water due to the limited water exchange with the adjacent ocean and to DIN and DIP inputs from adjacent tourist areas. The analysis of the environmental legislation showed that law enforcement in the LBCS is poor or nil, with most environmental regulations either ignored or having inadequate enforcement monitoring. This has led to the current state of socio environmental disruption.

Viral Metagenomic Content Reflects Seawater Ecological Quality in the Coastal Zone

Viruses interfere with their host’s metabolism through the expression of auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) that, until now, are mostly studied under large physicochemical gradients. Here, we focus on coastal marine ecosystems and we sequence the viral metagenome (virome) of samples with discrete levels of human-driven disturbances. We aim to describe the relevance of viromics with respect to ecological quality status, defined by the classic seawater trophic index (TRIX). Neither viral (family level) nor bacterial (family level, based on 16S rRNA sequencing) community structure correlated with TRIX. AMGs involved in the Calvin and tricarboxylic acid cycles were found at stations with poor ecological quality, supporting viral lysis by modifying the host’s energy supply. AMGs involved in “non-traditional” energy-production pathways (3HP, sulfur oxidation) were found irrespective of ecological quality, highlighting the importance of recognizing the prevalent metabolic paths and their intermediate byproducts. Various AMGs explained the variability between stations with poor vs. good ecological quality. Our study confirms the pivotal role of the virome content in ecosystem functioning, acting as a “pool” of available functions that may be transferred to the hosts. Further, it suggests that AMGs could be used as an ultra-sensitive metric of energy-production pathways with relevance in the vulnerable coastal zone and its ecological quality.