Percids of Lake Constance, a Lake Undergoing Eutrophication

Abstract

A review of literature suggested that yield of Eurasian perch, Perca fluviatilis, in Lake Constance was greatest with moderate eutrophication. During eutrophication (1950–76), changes also took place in food, growth, distribution, and diseases of perch. Differences in perch between Lake Constance and other German or Alpine lakes of various degrees of eutrophy were found with respect to growth, yield, the relation of growth to yield, food, and the relation of food to growth. Similarities were apparent for perch in these lakes in terms of their age composition, age at maturity, and mortality. Only limited data were available for pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca, mainly on stocking success, yield, and growth. The status of percids in Lake Constance indicates that eutrophication has led to conditions favoring percids. Key words: Percidae, Lake Constance limnology, eutrophication, yield, Perca fluviatilis, food, growth, distribution, disease, Stizostedion lucioperca

Variation in parasite communities and health indices of juvenile Lepomis gibbosus across a gradient of watershed land-use and habitat quality

“…Literature on species-area relationships indicates larger riverine systems often support higher diversity (Hugueny, 1989); consequently, the observed changes in parasite diversity may be positively influenced by increased habitat complexity and connectivity found in larger systems. However, previous research has demonstrated similar changes in parasite communities in relation to habitat quality as observed here (Hartmann and Nümann, 1977;MacKenzie, 1999;Zargar et al, 2012), and nutrient loading may dampen the speciesarea effect (Brönmark et al, 1984), providing further support for parasites as effective indicators of environmental characteristics. Truly disentangling the causal mechanisms regarding changes in parasite diversity such as what is observed here would require large-scale, systematic research program incorporating laboratory and field trials.…”

Diel and seasonal distribution of perch in Lake Constance: a hydroacoustic study and in situ observations

“…Gillnetting showed that the vertical distribution varies with season. the depth of maximum catch increasing from 6 to 10 m in summer to more than 40 m in winter (Hartrnann & Niimann, 1977). Except for this general habitat shift.…”

Effects of phytoplankton-induced turbidity on predation success of piscivorous Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis): possible implications for fish community structure in lakes

“…Human activity has increased the number of highly productive, and therefore highly turbid, lakes significantly (Edmondson 1969). Concurrently with this development, changes in the structure of temperate lake fish communities were observed (Colby et al 1972;Hartmann and Nümann 1977). European lake fish communities dominated by salmonids and coregonids were replaced by percids, and those dominated by percids were replaced by cyprinids.…”