Factors Affecting the Phytoplankton Diversity and Richness in a Shallow Eutrophic Lake in Turkey

ABSTRACT

Three hundred and thirty-one phytoplankton taxa were identified from Lake Uluabat over a 12-month period in 1998–1999. Phytoplankton richness varied between 35 and 79 taxa, and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index range was 1.574–3.151. Lake Uluabat was characterized by a high variety of Bacillariophyta (152 taxa), Chlorophyta (89 taxa), and Cyanobacteria (42 taxa). Total diversity was strongly correlated with dissolved oxygen and pH, but total species richness and total density were mostly influenced by temperature and Secchi depth. The lake supported a dynamic phytoplankton community through most months of the year.