Cyanobacteria-phytoplankton dynamics of a hypertrophic African lake

Phytoplankton species composition and abundance were recorded weekly or biweekly for nearly 7 years in a hypertrophic lake ( Hartbeespoort Dam, South Africa), together with a range of physical and chemical parameters. A total of 73 species were recorded, of which only 20 were occasionally abundant, and only 5 became dominant (>50% of total biomass) at least once (Microcystis aeruginosa, Oocystis lacustris, Aulacoseira (= Melosira) granulata, Cyclotella meneghiniana, Carteria cordiformis). The earlier years of the study (1982-1986) were drought years characterized by low water levels (10-15 m below the level at full supply), excess supply of nutrients at all times of the year, and overwhelming dominance of Microcystis aeruginosa. This K-selected species proved to be well adapted to withstand the range of environmental conditions throughout summer, fall and winter but it declined in spring each year when a fast successional episode followed. Several small-celled chlorophytes, diatoms and cryptophytes appeared and disappeared until Oocystis lacrustris became dominant for a few weeks, to be replaced by M. aeruginosa early in the summer. During the following rainy years (late 1986 to 1988), the lake re-filled. Major washout losses, concomitant with a considerable decline in surface water phosphorus concentrations and elevated TN/TP ratios, apparently led to the reduction in the abundance of M. aeruginosa. Its bloom extended over a smaller portion of the year in 1986 and 1987, and disappeared in May 1988, permitting the development of a more diverse phytoplankton community subject to control by 2ooplankton grazing. This long-term phytoplankton record from Hartbeespoort Dam demonstrates the key role of a dominant species in controlling community composition and diversity in hypertrophic lakes. Stable environments lead to low-diversity and high-biomass phytoplankton assemblages dominated by K-strategists, while disruptions of suitable strength and frequency allow for the development and maintenance of higher species diversity.