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Spatial and temporal dynamics of phytoplankton communities in a freshwater tidal estuary (Schelde, Belgium)
Muylaert, K.; Sabbe, K.; Vyverman, W. (2000). Spatial and temporal dynamics of phytoplankton communities in a freshwater tidal estuary (Schelde, Belgium). Est., Coast. and Shelf Sci. 50(5): 673-687. dx.doi.org/10.1006/ecss.2000.0590
In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. Academic Press: London; New York. ISSN 0272-7714; e-ISSN 1096-0015
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Algae > Diatoms
    Analysis > Mathematical analysis > Statistical analysis > Variance analysis > Multivariate analysis
    Aquatic communities > Plankton > Phytoplankton
    Aquatic communities > Plankton > Zooplankton
    Check lists
    Diatoms
    Respiration
    Spatial variations
    Temporal variations > Periodic variations > Seasonal variations
    Water
    ANE, Belgium [Marine Regions]; Netherlands [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal; Brackish water
Author keywords
    phytoplankton; species composition; seasonal and spatial dynamics; freshwater tidal estuary; multivariate analysis; CCA; variation partitioning; Schelde Estuary; Assemblages; Seasonal and spatial dynamics; Freshwater tidal estuary; Cca; Variation partitioning; Canonical correspondence-analysis; Coastal-plain estuaries; Environmental components; Assemblages; Seasonal and spatial dynamics; Freshwater tidal estuary; Cca; Variation partitioning; Canonical correspondence-analysis; Coastal-plain estuaries; Environmental components

Authors  Top 
  • Muylaert, K.
  • Sabbe, K., more
  • Vyverman, W.

Abstract
    During the course of 1996, the brackish to freshwater tidal reaches of the Schelde Estuary were sampled monthly along a longitudinal transect to study the origin and composition of phytoplankton communities in the freshwater tidal estuary. Variation in the phytoplankton community as a whole and its relation with the abiotic environment was analysed using multivariate analysis with variation partitioning. Of the variation in the species data 23.4% was spatially structured and a large part (13.8%) was explained by salinity or factors co-varying with salinity, with a marked species succession observed along the salinity gradient. Spatial variation not related to salinity (9.6%) was mainly situated within the freshwater tidal reaches, where in the uppermost stations phytoplankton was imported from the riverine tributaries while in the more downstream situated stations it was produced in situ. Riverine phytoplankton declined after import into the estuary where it was replaced by autochthonous, estuarine populations which were adapted to the low light climate and/or resistant to rotifer grazing. Of the species variation 27.8% was temporally structured. While riverine blooms appeared to be initiated by an increase in irradiance a decrease in river discharge in spring, estuarine phytoplankton only developed in summer, when temperature increased. Some potentials and limitations of the use of multivariate analyses with variation partitioning in pelagic estuarine environments are discussed in view of our results.

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