Diversity of Periphytic Communities in Lakes of Karelian Isthmus

Abstract

This paper describes the results of an investigation of taxonomic composition, community structure and dominant species of periphytic algae in 30 lakes located in different geomorphic regions of Karelian Isthmus. Structure of periphyton communities was studied in summer 2011-2013. In summer periphyton communities there were 400 algal taxa, most of which were diatoms and green algae. There was significant variability of taxonomic structure in the lakes of different trophic state. In oligotrophic lakes with low productivity, rare green algae and cyanobacteria species dominated in periphytic communities, whereas in meso- and eutrophic lakes diatom and green algae taxa with wide ecological requirements were dominant

Keywords

• periphyton
• lakes
• taxonomic composition
• dominant species
• Karelian Isthmus