Graduation Year
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
Degree Granting Department
Integrative Biology
Major Professor
Melanie A. Riedinger-Whitmore, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Thomas J. Whitmore, Ph.D.
Committee Member
David Lewis, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Timothy Henkel, Ph.D.
Keywords
ecology, conservation, limnology, bioindicators, functional traits
Abstract
Biodiversity is declining across all natural environments, however, freshwater systems are thought to be among the most threatened. Quantifying and understanding trends in freshwater biodiversity has become more urgent as rapid biodiversity loss continues. To provide a robust ecological assessment, more than one bioindicator should be used, along with multiple biodiversity metrics. Macrophytes and diatoms are important components of aquatic systems, especially in shallow lakes. The relationship between macrophytes and epiphytic diatoms, though, is not clearly understood, and has not been well-studied, particularly in Florida, which has the largest abundance of natural freshwater lakes in the southeastern U.S This study investigated diatom-macrophyte host relationships and used multiple biodiversity metrics to assess epiphytic diatom communities found in four Florida Department of Environmental Protection reference lakes. These lakes were located in different regions of the state and represented different lake types , including colored, clear hardwater and clear soft water lakes. Differences in diatom diversity and dominance and associated macrophyte species and functional groups were described, although they were not significantly different. Diatom community assemblages showed some macrophyte-host specificity within lake systems, but not consistently across each lake. Results from this study provide important information about diatom-macrophyte host relationships, as well as providing data that can be used as a baseline to assess and compare the diversity of diatoms in lakes that are impaired, and to aid in effective lake management and conservation.
Scholar Commons Citation
Bronk, Alana Jade, "Integrating Multiple Biodiversity Metrics to Assess Diatom Diversity and Diatom/Macrophyte Host Specificity in Four Florida Benchmark Lakes" (2024). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/10598
