Table of Contents
What is benthic algae?
Benthic algae or kelp usually cover hard bottoms from the seashore down to 20 to 40 m depth, depending on the clarity of the ocean. Below that level, insufficient sunlight hampers their growth. Where the bottom is sandy or muddy the benthic algae cannot attach themselves as they have no roots.
What is benthic microalgae?
Benthic microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms growing in the sediment, contrarily to phytoplankton that develop in the water column. The microphytobenthos can consist of diatoms, cyanobacteria, Chlorophyceae and/or flagellates.
Which lake has lowest productivity of algae?
Notes: The lakes which have low primary productivity as a result of low nutrient content are known as Oligotrophic Lake. These lakes have very low algal production therefore they often have very clear waters, with high drinking-water quality.
What is Epilithic algae?
Epilithic algae are one of the major primary producers in streams and play major roles in controlling energy flow of food webs in stream ecosystems [2–4]. However, the overgrowth of epilithic algae may deteriorate water quality [5].
What animals eat benthic algae?
The animals seen as primary consumers include zooplankton, which is made up of the small larvae of larger fish that grow to become consumers at different levels of the food chain. Other animals also known as zooplankton are small animals, such as adult worms and crustaceans that spend their lives feeding on algae.
What do benthic algae eat?
Benthic algae are the basis of many food webs in rivers. Macroinvertebrates feed on algae and detritus, and are themselves an important food source for fish.
Why is benthic algae important?
What lake has the highest productivity?
Lakes that exhibit extremely high productivity, such as nuisance algae and weed growth are called hypereutrophic lakes.
Can you swim in an oligotrophic lake?
Different lakes offer different recreational opportunities. Oligotrophic lakes like Skeleton Lake offer beautiful boating, swimming, and snorkeling recreation.
What is Epipelic?
Epipelic refers to the growth habit of living on mud (sediments, clays, and silt), in other words, residing at the interface of water and sediment.
What is the meaning of Epilithic?
: growing upon stone or stonelike material epilithic mosses epilithic lichens.