The Influence of Environmental Factors on Phytoplankton Varietya Case Study of Three Ponds of Western Poland

Abstract

Abstract The structure of phytoplankton assemblages in three small water bodies was compared and abiotic factors were described. It indicated considerable differences in the species abundance and biomass of the phytoplankton as well as the chemical composition of water between artificial pond (No. 2) and others. A total of 455 phytoplankton taxa were recorded. All ponds were characterized by greatest species richness of Chlorophyta. The highest biomass was noted in August-September 2015, and it was true for each pond. The CCA models showed dependences between the variables under study and phytoplankton groups. They indicated which environmental variables had the greatest influence on the biomass of phytoplankton in the waterbodies under analysis. The biomass of most of the taxonomic group in the phytoplankton (except Miozoa) depended on the presence of nitrogen not only in form of nitrates but also in the form of mineral nitrogen. The research findings suggest the trend of future studies on the phytoplankton in these ponds. The analysis of its variability should also include the influence of light and the influence of consumers on the food chain in the ecosystem.