Plant-Herbivore Interactions in the Pelagic Zone of Eutrophic Lakes

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WPC0 2 B V T W #| x 10 pitch z N x x x , x @ ; HP Laserjet (25-in-one, Network) HPLASEII.PRS X t 4 P RN h 0 IS 2 4 V F W Courier 10 pitch z N x x x , x @ ; HP Laserjet (25-in-one, Network) HPLASEII.PRS X t 4 P RN h 0 IS 2 & J . #| x 93083375 Sarnelle This research focuses on the strong interactions between Daphnia and algae in eutrophic lakes. The general objectives to quantify the relationship between the death rate of Daphnia and total algal biomass to examine the role of initial conditions as a determinant of planktonic community structure and to quantify adaptive tradeoffs faced by algal species to constraints imposed by herbivory. This research examines whether multiple equilibria exist in the community structure of eutrophic lakes, due to a reciprocal negative interaction between Daphnia and filamentous bluegreens. In addition the work will identify some of the mechanisms underlying the above interactions, by examing adaptive tradeoffs faced by algal species. %%% The presence of multiple equilibria has been predicated by ecological theory but rarely demostrated experimentally. This is crucial to development of ecology as a predictive science since the need to specify initial conditions may severely contrain the ability to predict ecolgical phenomena. The role of food webs in ameliorating negative effects of extroplication on water quality is also important to indentifying management targets for reducing excessive algal growth in nutrient enriched lakes via changes in the fish community.