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Scales of disturbance and their role in plankton ecology

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Abstract

The role of hydraulic and hydrographic disturbances in delaying, arresting or diverting successional sequences from achieving stable, climactic equilibria is discussed by reference to case studies. The critical time scale is expressed in terms of planktonic reproductive generation times. Environmental constancy persisting over some 12–16 generations may permit a climactic condition to be achieved. An Intermediate Disturbance, if sustained, can establish a new successional sequence or, if not, can lead to a reversion to a sequence similar to the predisturbance succession. At intervals of ∼ 1 generation time, species are selected according to their ability to accommodate disturbances at the physiological level. Highly disturbed environments are considered to be likely to maintain ‘plagioclimactic’ associations.

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  1. Freshwater Biological Association, NERC Institute of Freshwater Ecology, Windermere Laboratory, LA22 0LP, Ambleside, UK

    Colin S. Reynolds

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Reynolds, C.S. Scales of disturbance and their role in plankton ecology. Hydrobiologia 249, 157–171 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00008851

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