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Published on: July 10, 2015
Benthic microalgae community response to flooding in a tropical salt flat
L S M Masuda1,2, A Enrich-Prast1,2,3
1Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro RJ , Brazil, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Microbiologia), Departamento Microbiologia Ambiental, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Bloco I, Ilha do Fundão, CEP 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Flooding significantly increases microphytobenthos abundance in tropical salt flats, primarily due to Microcoleus spp. The microbial mat community structure is resilient, maintaining dominant taxa even with water level changes.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Microbial mats in tropical salt flats are sensitive ecosystems.
- Understanding microphytobenthos responses to environmental changes like flooding is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of flooding on microphytobenthos community structure in a tropical salt flat.
- To assess the role of water availability on microalgal abundance and diversity.
Main Methods:
- Field sampling over four days, including dry and flooded conditions.
- Laboratory experiments simulating flood conditions for 10 days.
- Quantification of microphytobenthos abundance and diversity using the Shannon index.
Main Results:
- Total microphytobenthos abundance increased by one order of magnitude with flooding.
- Microcoleus spp. showed high abundance, contributing to the density increase.
- Shannon diversity index (H') was higher during dry (desiccation) periods.
Conclusions:
- Water availability is a key factor influencing microphytobenthos abundance in salt flats.
- The microbial mat community demonstrates resilience, with dominant taxa persisting through desiccation and flooding.
- A microbial consortium likely stabilizes community structure under varying water conditions.
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