Causes of macrophyte mass development and management recommendations.

Aquatic plants (macrophytes) are important for ecosystem structure and function. Macrophyte mass developments are, however, often perceived as a nuisance and are commonly managed by mechanical removal. This is costly and often ineffective due to macrophyte regrowth.

Phosphorus storage and utilization strategies of two bloom-forming freshwater cyanobacteria.

The inter-relationships between cellular phosphorus (P) storage, dissolved inorganic P (DIP) uptake affinity, alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations were studied in two ubiquitous diazotrophic freshwater cyanobacteria, (six strains) and (two strains). DIP uptake kinetics were measured using rates of incorporation of the radio-isotope, P and APA as a proxy for DOP-ester utilization. The study showed that DIP uptake of individual strains followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics (modified in our study to incorporate cellular P quotas), but differed with DIN and P availability, and between growth stages.

Schindler's legacy: from eutrophic lakes to the phosphorus utilization strategies of cyanobacteria.

David Schindler and his colleagues pioneered studies in the 1970s on the role of phosphorus in stimulating cyanobacterial blooms in North American lakes. Our understanding of the nuances of phosphorus utilization by cyanobacteria has evolved since that time. We review the phosphorus utilization strategies used by cyanobacteria, such as use of organic forms, alternation between passive and active uptake, and luxury storage.

Community stability and seasonal biotic homogenisation emphasize the effect of the invasive tropical tanner grass on macrophytes from a highly dynamic neotropical tidal river.

Unlabelled: We described the spatial and temporal dynamics of aquatic macrophytes in a Neotropical coastal estuarine river, and identified the negative effects associated to the presence and dominance of the invasive tanner grass. We compared macrophyte beds along the Guaraguaçu River (South Brazil) over four years, using taxonomic and functional dimensions. Biodiversity descriptors were higher in the driest periods compared to the rainiest, although this difference seems to be decreasing over the studied years.