300518 VO Primary producers of freshwaters (2006W)

The lecture emphasis the role of primary producers in freshwaters by ecophysiology, photosynthesis, ecological stoichiometry and community interactions and starts with an introduction on the variety of photosynthetic organisms in freshwater systems. The key issues lectured in the beginning are acclimation to light and nutrient availability, the assessment of resource limitation, algal growth as beneficial or nuisance component in ecosystems (link to other microbial organisms, food chain interaction, effects of toxins by cyanobacteria), and photo-autotrophic community structure. In the second part the wider implication of the response of primary producers to pollution and global climate change will be communicated. Both practical issues are addressed by recent research initiatives of the European community, the 'European Water Framework Directive' and the 5-6thframework programmes. The last 6h of the lectures are understood as a practical computer guide and aimed to give simple examples for tools of nutrient bio-assessment and of the analysis of the response to climate change. The lecture hand-out includes electronically prepared long-term data-sets, display methods and analytical tools for the applied freshwater issues.