Distribution and ecological significance of aggregated dead zones along the Hungarian section of River Tise
Informations
- Funding country
Hungary- Acronym
- -
- URL
- -
- Start date
- 3/30/2006
- End date
- 12/31/2009
- Budget
- 52,735 EUR
Fundings
| Name | Role | Start | End | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thematic Programme | Grant | 3/30/2006 | 12/31/2009 | 52,735 EUR |
Abstract
Natural hydromorphological and hydrodynamic properties of almost every large European rivers have been dramatically changed by regulation. Ratios of lentic and lotic habitats have been modified radically. Near-shore dead zones, backwaters and floodplain water bodies provide suitable growth conditions for aquatic biota including the potamoplankton. Water exchange between these growth areas and the mainstream river results in a drift of biota as a function of stochastic fluctuations in discharge. As a rule, the influence of drift significantly contributes to downstream biomass increase of algae. In the same time flood, as a disturbance factor plays a key role in community organization of potamoplankton. The present project aims at studying the influence of these factors on the potamoplankton of River Tisza. We map the biomass of four main color classes of algae along the flow at every few tens of meters by the means of on-line delayed fluorescence spectroscopy. Using appropriate hydrodynamic and ecological models, we analyze the aggregate effect of dead zones on dynamics of potamoplankton at various flows. Mapping of dead zones may initiate similar studies concerning different groups of higher organisms. Such studies should provide the scientific background to the ecological management of large rivers where the focal points are re-establishment of natural flow inhomogeny and floodplain connectivity.