Abundance and structure of planktonic crustacean community of a humic Lake Smolak twenty years after the experimental mineral fertilisation

Abstract

Planktonic crustacean community of a humic Smolak Lake responded to liming and mineral fertilisation (N, P, K) carried out in 1971-1974 with a strong increase of numbers and biomass, as well as a change of species composition and trophic structure, indicating eutrophication of the lake. Discontinuation of fertilisation did not considerably affect the community. Twenty years after the nutrient supply, high density and biomass of crustaceans are still observed. The community is dominated by small, detritivorous cladocerans (Chydorus sphaericus and Bosmina longirostris), and predatory Cyclopoida typically found in productive, alkaline waters.