Influence of habitat complexity on the algal community structure and nutrient status of periphyton in seasonal scale

• Grant number: 11/14751-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Carla Ferragut
• Grantee: Mariane Lima de Souza
• Host Institution: Instituto de Botânica. Secretaria de Meio Ambiente, Infraestrutura e Logística (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Despite the ecological importance of the periphyton, the identification of factors that drive the spatial and temporal variability is still a challenge. Spatial heterogeneity is an important factor in the distribution of periphyton and macrophytes has as key components. Spatial heterogeneity increases the variability of environmental factors in the ecosystem, making the identification of indicator species and guilds of water quality and the potential for algal limitation. This can lead to problems of sampling, affecting the efficiency of monitoring programs and environmental impact studies. The scale seasonal variation in limnological conditions also acts directly on periphyton dynamics. This project aims to evaluate the influence of spatial heterogeneity on algal community structure and nutritional status of periphyton on artificial substrate (inert) in time scale. As a general hypothesis, it is expected that the spatial heterogeneity is the direct factor controlling periphyton community structure and seasonality is indirect controlling. Abiotic and biotic standardized methods will be used internationally to achieve those goals. It is part of the project "Influence of spatial heterogeneity on the structure and nutrient status (C, N, P) of the periphyton, metaphyton and phytoplankton in Ninféias Reservoir (PEFI, São Paulo)" in development (FAPESP 2009/52253-4). Finally, this research project will contribute to the periphyton ecology through joint analysis of the structure and nutrient status of the periphytic community in an inert substrate, in order to identify different degrees of spatial heterogeneity and environmental factors controlling community dynamics in a tropical region

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DE SOUZA, MARIANE LIMA; PELLEGRINI, BARBARA GOLEBSKI; FERRAGUT, CARLA. Periphytic algal community structure in relation to seasonal variation and macrophyte richness in a shallow tropical reservoir. Hydrobiologia, v. 755, n. 1, p. 183-196, AUG 2015. (11/14751-2)

FERRAGUT, CARLA; DOS SANTOS, THIAGO RODRIGUES; PELLEGRINI, BARBARA GOLEBSKI; SOUZA, MARIANE LIMA; GOMES, EDUARDO P. C.. The success of algae with luxury P uptake and mixotrophy in P-limiting periphyton within-reservoir spatial heterogeneity. Hydrobiologia, v. 849, n. 15, p. 13-pg., 2022-07-18. (11/05177-0, 11/14751-2, 09/11721-5)