The composition of dominant species and the structure of phytoplankton communities in small water bodies with algal 'bloom' in the south of the forest-steppe of Volga region

Abstract

The species composition, biomass, and structure of phytoplankton communities in small eutrophic reservoirs with algal “bloom” have been studied. “Water bloom” in the studied water bodies is caused by widespread species belonging to the taxa Chlorophyta and Cyanoprokaryota. The highest biomass is characteristic for Phytoflagellata and Cyanoprokaryota species. The most significant changes in the structure of phytoplankton communities are associated with the dominance of Cyanoprokaryota. During the period of dominance of Planktothrix agardhii, the growth of other species and the general species diversity gets reduced. In one of the water bodies, the considerable changes in the structure of phytoplankton communities are associated with the pH value.

Keywords

• small eutrophic water bodies
• “water bloom”
• structure of phytoplankton communities
• biomass of species