Patterns in Alpha and Beta Phytoplankton Diversity along a Conductivity Gradient in Coastal Mediterranean Lagoons
Understanding the diversity patterns of phytoplankton assemblages in coastal lagoons is clearly important for water management. In this study, we explored alpha and beta diversity patterns in phytoplankton communities across five Mediterranean lagoons hydrologically connected to Vistonikos Gulf. We...
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MDPI AG
2020-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/1/38 |
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| author | Natassa Stefanidou Matina Katsiapi Dimitris Tsianis Maria Demertzioglou Evangelia Michaloudi Maria Moustaka-Gouni |
| author_facet | Natassa Stefanidou Matina Katsiapi Dimitris Tsianis Maria Demertzioglou Evangelia Michaloudi Maria Moustaka-Gouni |
| author_sort | Natassa Stefanidou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Understanding the diversity patterns of phytoplankton assemblages in coastal lagoons is clearly important for water management. In this study, we explored alpha and beta diversity patterns in phytoplankton communities across five Mediterranean lagoons hydrologically connected to Vistonikos Gulf. We examined the phytoplankton community composition and biomass on a monthly basis from November 2018 to October 2019. For this, water samples were collected from seven inshore, brackish and coastal waters, sampling sites covering a wide range of conductivity. We found significant spatial and temporal differences in phytoplankton alpha diversity and in phytoplankton biomass metrics explained by the high variation of conductivity. Evenness remained low throughout the study period, reflecting significant dominance of several phytoplankton blooms. Harmful algal blooms of <i>Prorocentrum minimum</i>, <i>Alexandrium</i> sp., <i>Rhizosolenia setigera</i> and <i>Cylindrotheca closterium</i> occurred. The system’s species pool was characterized by relatively high phytoplankton beta diversity (average ~0.7) resulting from high temporal species turnover (90%). Overall, alpha and beta diversity components were indicative of rather heterogeneous phytoplankton communities which were associated with the high differences in conductivity among the sampling sites. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T22:18:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-40f61bb5bfae4a6db37336d2f14d1793 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T22:18:58Z |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Diversity |
| spelling | doaj.art-40f61bb5bfae4a6db37336d2f14d17932022-12-22T04:00:15ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182020-01-011213810.3390/d12010038d12010038Patterns in Alpha and Beta Phytoplankton Diversity along a Conductivity Gradient in Coastal Mediterranean LagoonsNatassa Stefanidou0Matina Katsiapi1Dimitris Tsianis2Maria Demertzioglou3Evangelia Michaloudi4Maria Moustaka-Gouni5Department of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceFisheries Department, Dir. of Agricultural Economy & Veterinary Med., Regional District of Xanthi, Region of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace, 67100 Xanthi, GreeceDepartment of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceUnderstanding the diversity patterns of phytoplankton assemblages in coastal lagoons is clearly important for water management. In this study, we explored alpha and beta diversity patterns in phytoplankton communities across five Mediterranean lagoons hydrologically connected to Vistonikos Gulf. We examined the phytoplankton community composition and biomass on a monthly basis from November 2018 to October 2019. For this, water samples were collected from seven inshore, brackish and coastal waters, sampling sites covering a wide range of conductivity. We found significant spatial and temporal differences in phytoplankton alpha diversity and in phytoplankton biomass metrics explained by the high variation of conductivity. Evenness remained low throughout the study period, reflecting significant dominance of several phytoplankton blooms. Harmful algal blooms of <i>Prorocentrum minimum</i>, <i>Alexandrium</i> sp., <i>Rhizosolenia setigera</i> and <i>Cylindrotheca closterium</i> occurred. The system’s species pool was characterized by relatively high phytoplankton beta diversity (average ~0.7) resulting from high temporal species turnover (90%). Overall, alpha and beta diversity components were indicative of rather heterogeneous phytoplankton communities which were associated with the high differences in conductivity among the sampling sites.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/1/38brackishhabsdinoflagellatesdiatomscyanobacteriatransitional water bodies |
| spellingShingle | Natassa Stefanidou Matina Katsiapi Dimitris Tsianis Maria Demertzioglou Evangelia Michaloudi Maria Moustaka-Gouni Patterns in Alpha and Beta Phytoplankton Diversity along a Conductivity Gradient in Coastal Mediterranean Lagoons Diversity brackish habs dinoflagellates diatoms cyanobacteria transitional water bodies |
| title | Patterns in Alpha and Beta Phytoplankton Diversity along a Conductivity Gradient in Coastal Mediterranean Lagoons |
| title_full | Patterns in Alpha and Beta Phytoplankton Diversity along a Conductivity Gradient in Coastal Mediterranean Lagoons |
| title_fullStr | Patterns in Alpha and Beta Phytoplankton Diversity along a Conductivity Gradient in Coastal Mediterranean Lagoons |
| title_full_unstemmed | Patterns in Alpha and Beta Phytoplankton Diversity along a Conductivity Gradient in Coastal Mediterranean Lagoons |
| title_short | Patterns in Alpha and Beta Phytoplankton Diversity along a Conductivity Gradient in Coastal Mediterranean Lagoons |
| title_sort | patterns in alpha and beta phytoplankton diversity along a conductivity gradient in coastal mediterranean lagoons |
| topic | brackish habs dinoflagellates diatoms cyanobacteria transitional water bodies |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/1/38 |
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