Phytoplankton from Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park. III. Diatoms and chlorophytes

Abstract

Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park is an important semi-arid wetland, biodiversity reserve, that is experiencing an accelerated eutrophication process and dramatic hydrological changes in recent years. This paper reports the taxonomy, dynamics and ecology of 9 planktonic diatoms (2 centric, 7 pennate) and 37 chlorophytes (24 coccoids. 8 flageflated and 5 species of other groups) which were found from 1996 to 1998. Despite the higher diversity of Chlorococcales, diatoms made a major contribution to algal biomass. Most species are typical of eutrophic systems and some are salinity indicators (Chaetoceros muelleri). Scenedesmus quadricauda, Cyclotella meneghiniana and Nitzschia acicularis were the most common species. Pteromonas limnetica is a new record for Spain. There was a remarkable decrease in phytoplankton density and a 50 % species substitution in comparison to the drier period 1992-1993. Species distribution through the wetland was very heterogeneous spatially and temporally, without any pattern.