Short communication, Note

Oligotrophy: the forgotten end of an ecological spectrum

Patrick J. Kociolek orcid.org/0000-0001-9824-7164 ; Museum of Natural History and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309 U.S.A.
Eugene F. Stoermer ; School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, U.S.A.

Abstract

Most studies that consider the relationship of diatoms and water quality have focused their attention on the questions and practicalities of water pollution or perturbations in some form or another. Many models and studies have demonstrated the environmental tolerances or changes in structure of diatom communities related to environmental challenges. This focus on the impacted end of the water quality spectrum has led, of necessity, to issues ultimately related to habitat restoration. We contend that a concentrated effort to develop more fully the theory and there is a need for practice related to oligotrophy, the other, ignored end of the water quality spectrum. We explore the historical usages of the term oligotrophy, as well as the challenges and promise of autecological and community approaches to understanding oligotrophy, and the possibility of focusing more on conservation rather than restoration in water quality issues.

Keywords

Diatom; water quality; oligotrophy; conservation

Hrčak ID:

41443

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/41443

Publication date:

15.10.2009.

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