Shifts in fish communities along the productivity gradient of temperate lakes—patterns and the importance of size‐structured interactions

Abstract

Species biomass and size composition of fish faunas along a productivity gradient were studied in south Swedish lakes. Generally, with increasing productivity (measured as chlorophyll content), Salmoniformes were replaced by percids, which in turn were replaced by cyprinids, as suggested in previous studies. However, percids showed two peaks in biomass, one in medium productive lakes due to perch and one in highly productive lakes due to zander. Benthic piscivores were present in all lakes, whereas pelagic piscivores were absent in the least productive lakes. The proportion of piscivores in the total fish biomass showed a peak in medium productive lakes, largely reflecting the importance of piscivorous perch. The median size of the dominant cyprinids (roach) in the systems studied increased as the importance of piscivores increased, which was interpreted as a size refuge response to increased predation pressure. The same pattern was present for the dominant planktivore, vendace, in low productive systems. Although a predictable pattern ofchange in the fish fauna was found along the productivity gradient, other environmental factors such as structural complexity may be the ultimate cause of the observed succession pattern.

Differences in feeding selectivity and efficiency between young-of-the-year European perch (Perca fluviatilis) and roach (Rutilus rutilus) — field observations and laboratory experiments on the importance of prey movement apparency vs. evasiveness

“…European perch Perca fluviatilis L., 1758 and roach Rutilus rutilus (L., 1758) belong to the most common fish species in meso-to eutrophic temperate water bodies in Europe (Persson et al 1991;Kubečka 1993). As a consequence, young-of-the-year perch and roach dominate the 0+ fish communities of these aquatic ecosystems.…”

Different effects of planktonic invertebrate predators and fish on the plankton community in experimental mesocosms

“…Both species are a regular component of fish assemblages in European meso-and eutrophic water bodies (Persson et al, 1991). The VP treatment, stocked with yearling fish, combined the almost exclusive feeding on herbivore zooplankton by roach with the broader perch diet also consisting of copepods.…”

Sexual cycle of white bream, Blicca bjoerkna (Actinopterygii, Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae), from three sites of the lower Oder River (NW Poland) differing in temperature regimes

“…Cyprinids, including white bream, are a fl exible group that adapts well to eutrophic conditions (Persson et al 1991, Lammens et al 1992, Olin 2009), although they tend to avoid acidifi ed waters (Leuven et al 1987). They are characterized by a high fertility and fl exibility of reproduction (Barthelmes 1983).…”