Factors driving the metabolism of two north temperate ponds

• Published in: Hydrobiologia Vol. 711; no. 1; pp. 9 - 17
• Main Author: Klotz, Richard Lawrence
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.07.2013; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Aquatic ecosystems; Beavers; Biogeochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Ecology; Fresh water ecosystems; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Growing season; Inland waters; Life Sciences; Mammalia; Nuclear radiation; Nutrients; Physiological aspects; Ponds; Primary production; Primary Research Paper; Solar radiation; Synecology; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; Zoology; USA, New York; North temperate lakes; Gross primary production; Lake metabolism; Net ecosystem production; Beaver pond; Primary productivity; Rodentia; Net production; Metabolism; Freshwater environment; Aquatic environment; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Pond; Ecosystem; Lakes
• ISSN: 0018-8158; 1573-5117
• DOI: 10.1007/s10750-013-1450-8

Two beaver ponds in central New York State, one in a forested and one in an agricultural setting, were studied to determine the influence of nutrient enrichment on metabolic activity in small, shallow north temperate lentic systems with extensive littoral zones. Metabolic activity was determined from every 15-min oxygen measurements during the growing season utilizing a sonde and wind, temperature, and depth data. The agricultural Timmerman Pond was more enriched in phosphorus and nitrogen than the forested Hoxie Gorge Pond, a factor likely driving the greater gross primary production (GPP) and more positive net ecosystem production (NEP) measured in Timmerman. Average daily GPP was over 3X greater for the more enriched pond and seasonal average NEP was positive in the enriched pond while negative for the forested pond. Daily GPP and NEP were positively correlated ( P  < 0.001) with daily solar radiation at both ponds. The active metabolism of small ponds, the most abundant size class of lentic systems, further confirms the important role of inland waters in the transformation of carbon on a global scale.