Eutrophication and the management of planktonic algae: What Vollenweider couldn't tell us

Reynolds, C.S. (1992) Eutrophication and the management of planktonic algae: What Vollenweider couldn't tell us. In: Sutcliffe, David W. and Jones, J. Gwynfryn (eds.) Eutrophication: research and application to water supply. Ambleside, UK, Freshwater Biological Association, pp. 4-29. (FBA Special Publications,3)

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Abstract

The ”Vollenweider model” is a sophisticated mathematical statement about the long-range behaviour of (mainly temperate) lakes and their ability to support phytoplankton chlorophyll. Misapplication of the model, against which Vollenweider himself warned, has led to many misconceptions about the dynamics of plankton in lakes and reservoirs and about how best to manage systems subject to eutrophication. This contribution intends to frame the most important issues in context of the phosphorus- loading and phosphorus-limitation concepts. Emphasis is placed on the need to distinguish rate-limitation from capacity-limitation, to understand which is more manageable and why, to discern the mechanisms of internal recycling and their importance, and to appreciate the respective roles of physical and biotic components in local control of algal dynamics. Some general approaches to the management of water quality in lakes and reservoirs to eutrophication are outlined.

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