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6568455 
Journal Article 
The responses of epilithic algal community structure and function to light and nutrients and their linkages in subtropical rivers 
Zhang, J; Shu, X; Zhang, Y; Tan, X; Zhang, Q 
2020 
Yes 
Hydrobiologia
ISSN: 0018-8158
EISSN: 1573-5117 
Springer 
847 
3 
841-855 
English 
WOS:000512108400013 
Epilithic algal community structure and function are important indicators of stream ecosystem health and are sensitive to ambient environmental changes. In this study, we examined the impact of light and nutrients on epilithic algal community structure and function by an in situ nutrient addition and shaded canopy experiment in subtropical streams in China. Epilithic algae structure, dominated by diatoms, was significantly different with nutrient addition and light reduction. Nutrient addition increased the epilithic algae and diatom density, colonial life-forms, planktonic diatoms, and high-profile diatoms but decreased the low-profile diatoms. The shaded canopy increased the low-profile diatoms but decreased the adnate life-forms, planktonic diatoms, and high-profile diatoms. Epilithic metabolism, including gross primary production (GPP), net daily metabolism (NDM), and production/respiration (P/R) increased with nutrient addition, while respiration (R) only increased when the canopy was open with nutrient addition. Epilithic GPP had a significant positive correlation with diatom density (P < 0.01, R2 = 0.9425). Our results indicated that changes in epilithic algae structure due to changes in riparian canopy coverage and nutrients could affect epilithic algal community function. Quantifying the impacts of such drivers on community structure and function is vital to effective river management. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG. 
Benthic algae; Stream; Functional groups; Metabolism; Riparian canopy; Nutrient addition