Advances in Algal Biology: A Commemoration of the Work of Rex Lowe PDF
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Advances in Algal Biology: A Commemoration of the Work of Rex Lowe Developments in Hydrobiology 185 Series editor K. Martens Advances in Algal Biology: A Commemoration of the Work of Rex Lowe Edited by 1 2 3 R. Jan Stevenson , Yangdong Pan , J. Patrick Kociolek 4 and John C. Kingston 1DepartmentofZoology,MichiganStateUniversity,EastLansing,Michigan48824,USA 2EnvironmentalScienceandResources,PortlandStateUniversity,Portland,Oregon97207,USA 3CaliforniaAcademyofSciences,GoldenGatePark,SanFrancisco,California94118,USA 4NaturalResourcesResearchInstitute,1900E.CampSt.,Ely,Minnesota55731,USA Reprinted from Hydrobiologia, Volume 561 (2006) 123 LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData AC.I.P.CataloguerecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheLibraryofCongress. ISBN1-4020-4782-7 PublishedbySpringer, P.O.Box17,3300AADordrecht,TheNetherlands Coverillustration:AspeciesofDraparnaldiafromtheGreatSmokyMountains. Draparnaldiaisa morphologically elaborate and beautiful genus of filamentous green algae found mainly in aquatic habitatswithlowhumandisturbance.Photocredit:RexLowe Printedonacid-freepaper AllRightsreserved (cid:2)2006Springer Nopartofthismaterialprotectedbythiscopyrightnoticemaybereproducedorutilizedinanyform orbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recordingorbyanyinformation storageandretrievalsystem,withoutwrittenpermissionfromthecopyrightowner. PrintedintheNetherlands TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface vii–viii Algology and algologists at Bowling Green, a short history R.L. Lowe 1–11 Rexia erecta gen. et sp. nov. and Capsosira lowei sp. nov., two newly described cyanobacterial taxa from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (USA) D.A. Casamatta, S.R. Gomez, J.R. Johansen 13–26 Large-scale regional variation in diatom-water chemistry relationships: rivers of the eastern United States D.F. Charles, F.W. Acker, D.D. Hart, C.W. Reimer, P.B. Cotter 27–57 Short-term effects of elevated velocity and sediment abrasion on benthic algal communities S.N. Francoeur, B.J.F. Biggs 59–69 The effects of pH on a periphyton community in an acidic wetland, USA J.L. Greenwood, R.L. Lowe 71–82 Food limitation affects algivory and grazer performance for New Zealand stream macroinvertebrates J.R. Holomuzki, B.J.F. Biggs 83–94 Benthic diatom communities in subalpine pools in New Zealand: relationships to environmental variables C. Kilroy, B.J.F. Biggs, W. Vyverman, P.A. Broady 95–110 The relationships among disturbance, substratum size and periphyton community structure M.R. Luttenton, C. Baisden 111–117 Relationships between environmental variables and benthic diatom assemblages in California Central Valley streams (USA) Y. Pan, B.H. Hill, P. Husby, R.K. Hall, P.R. Kaufmann 119–130 Response of periphytic algae to gradients in nitrogen and phosphorus in streamside mesocosms S.T. Rier, R.J. Stevenson 131–147 Comparing effects of nutrients on algal biomass in streams in two regions with different disturbance regimes and with applications for developing nutrient criteria R.J. Stevenson, S.T. Rier, C.M. Riseng, R.E. Schultz, M.J. Wiley 149–165 Differential heterotrophic utilization of organic compounds by diatoms and bacteria under light and dark conditions N.C. Tuchman, M.A. Schollett, S.T. Rier, P. Geddes 167–177 Using diatom assemblages to assess urban stream conditions C.E. Walker, Y. Pan 179–189 vvii Developing and testing diatom indicators for wetlands in the Casco Bay watershed, Maine, USA Y.-K. Wang, R.J. Stevenson, P.R. Sweets, J. DiFranco 191–206 Diatom assemblages and their associations with environmental variables in Oregon Coast Range streams, USA C.L. Weilhoefer, Y. Pan 207–219 Algal assemblages in multiple habitats of restored and extant wetlands L. Zheng, R.J. Stevenson 221–238 Ecology and assessment of the benthic diatom communities of four Lake Erie estuaries using Lange-Bertalot tolerance values G.V. Sgro, M.E. Ketterer, J.R. Johansen 239–249 Hydrobiologia(2006)561:vii–viii (cid:2)Springer2006 R.J.Stevenson,Y.Pan,J.P.Kociolek&J.C.Kingston(eds),AdvancesinAlgalBiology:ACommemorationoftheWorkofRexLowe DOI10.1007/s10750-005-1600-8 Preface The authors of papers in this special issue of introduced by Rex himself, with a description of Hydrobiologia want to express their respect and his career, students, and their research contribu- gratitudefortheinspirationthatDrRexLowehas tions.Paperswerecontributedinthreebroadareas provided.Rexhashadextraordinaryeffectsonhis of algal biology: aquatic ecology, environmental students and colleagues with his engaging per- assessment,andsystematics.Effectsofdisturbance sonality, sometimes dangerous senses of humor (flow and herbivory), substrates, sediments, light, and fun, and infectious fascination with the bio- and organic compounds on benthic algae in diversity and ecology of algae. The occasion for streams, lakes, wetlands, and the Great Lakes are thisspecialissuehasbeenthecoincidenceofRex’s explored in aquatic ecology. Algal biodiversity is 60th birthday, having 60 graduate students, and related to human alterations of streams and wet- having taught a field phycology course at the lands in environmental assessment. Several re- University of Michigan Biological Station for gional studies document changes in algal species 30 years, where many of us met Rex. The authors composition and their relation to human distur- includecolleaguesandgraduatestudentsaswellas bances; plus they are used to develop algal indi- academic grandchildren and great grandchildren cators and multimetric indices of biological from his graduate students that are professors at condition. Three ‘‘systematics’’ papers were sub- universities throughout the US. mittedtoadifferentjournalforpublication.These Rex got his Ph.D. from Iowa State University included a paper on the development of a diatom in 1970 studying with Dr John Dodd, who had a flora for freshwater ecosystems in the continental great influence on Rex’s commitment to students. United States and new species of diatoms and Immediately afterward, Rex joined the faculty in cyanobacteria described from Michigan and the the Department of Biological Sciences at Bowling Great Smoky National Park. Green State University (BGSU). Throughout his Thesecontributionstoalgalbiologyareatribute career at BGSU, Rex has maintained an active toRex’sinspirationofhisstudentsandcolleagues. research program with his graduate students. He Rex and his wife Sheryn create a special environ- has published more than 80 papers, books, and ment for learning and intellectual debate at their bookchapters.Hehasalsobeenrecognizedwith4 homeinBowlingGreenandtheirsummerretreatat distinguished teaching awards from 1974 to 1996 theUniversityofMichiganBiologicalStation.The at BGSU, which demonstrates that Rex achieves warm and friendly atmosphere fosters open dia- hisgoalofprovidingstudentswith‘‘oneofthebest logue,creativity,andcollegialitythatattractsfellow and most memorable experiences of their lives.’’ scientists and students and produces interactions The field of algal biology in the United States thathavegrownintoextensiveadvancesinthefields has benefited greatly from Rex’s efforts. Through of ecology, biodiversity, systematics, and environ- his pioneering leadership in the North American mentalassessmentaswellasalgalbiology.Rexhas Benthological Society during the 1970s, benthic inspired us to study, teach, and live our lives with algal ecology has become a wholly integrated ele- more enthusiasm and satisfaction in a way that ment of research conducted by stream ecologists. helps us understand and protect the wonder and His review of diatom ecological tolerances pro- diversityintheworldaroundus. vided a key reference for researchers in environ- Thank you Professor Lowe. mental assessment. Rex and his students have explored algal flora, described new species, and R. Jan Stevenson documented regional biodiversity throughout the Yangdong Pan US for the last 30 years. Pat Kociolek This special issue of Hydrobiologia exemplifies John Kingston these contributions to algal biology. The issue is and all other authors of these papers. viii List of Reviewers Reviewer Reviewer institution Eugene Stoermer The University of Michigan Liz Bergey The University of Oklahoma Steve Kohler Western Michigan University Christopher Peterson Loyola University of Chicago Paul McCormick United States Geological Survey Jennifer Winter Ontario Ministry for the Environment Scott Hagerthey South Florida Water Management District Marina Potapova The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia Robert Sinsabaugh University of New Mexico Dean DeNicola Slippery Rock University Rhonda McDougal Ducks Unlimited Canada Harry Leland United States Geological Survey Alan Steinman Grand Valley State University Rex Lowe Bowling Green State University Walter Dodds Kansas State University Christine Weilhoefer Portland State University Russel Kreis US Environmental Protection Agency Don Charles The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia Evelyn Gaiser Florida International University R. Jan Stevenson Michigan State University Yangdong Pan Portland State University J. Pat Kociolek California Academy of Sciences Hydrobiologia(2006)561:1–11 (cid:2)Springer2006 R.J.Stevenson,Y.Pan,J.P.Kociolek&J.C.Kingston(eds),AdvancesinAlgalBiology:ACommemorationoftheWorkofRexLowe DOI10.1007/s10750-005-1601-7 Algology and algologists at Bowling Green, a short history Rex L. Lowe1,2,* 1Departmentof Biological Sciences,Bowling GreenState University, Bowling Green,Ohio, 43403,USA 2University of MichiganBiological Station,Pellston, Michigan, 49762,USA (*Author forcorrespondence: E-mail: [email protected]) Key words: algae, periphyton, ecology,environment, assessment, systematics Abstract This paper summarizes the past 34 years of studies of algae by Rex Lowe and his students and collabo- ratorsatBowlingGreenStateUniversity,Ohio,USA.Sixty-twostudentshavereceivedgraduatedegreesin this academic program focusing on systematics, ecology and environmental assessment. The taxonomic/ floristicresearchinitiallyfocusedonnorthernOhiostreamsbutisnowcontinentaltointernationalinscope focusingonthealgalfloraoftheGreatSmokyMountainsNationalParkandontheSouthIslandofNew Zealand. Ecological research has focused on factors that regulate the structure and function of benthic algae. Variables that have been examined include abiotic resources (nutrients and light), grazers and physicaldisturbance.Studies onenvironmentalassessmenthavefocused primarilyontheimpactofpoint- source loads of chemicals into water bodies. Introduction increasinglyclear that ecology andsystematics are inseparable (Kociolek & Stoermer, 2001). One I was surprised, humbled and greatly honored cannotaccuratelydescribespeciesinteractionsand upon learning of my students’ plans to organize a environmental relationships if the species are celebration in 2003 to recognize, summarize and unknown. This issue is particularly critical when reflect on studies of algae undertaken at Bowling attempting to extrapolate insights gained from Green State University during the past 34 years. research to other algal communities separated by Whenaskedtowritetheintroductorychaptertoa time (paleolimnolgy) or space (biogeography). In collection of scientific papers contributed by for- addition, the biological species concept has been mer academic advisees and research collaborators difficulttoapplytoalgaegiventheircrypticsexual I decided instead to write about the former stu- behavior. Indeed, most algal ‘‘species’’ have not dents themselves and how their ambitions and been observed reproducing sexually. Thus, mor- interestshelpedshapemyown.Sixty-twograduate phologyandincreasinglyecologyarebeingemployed students matriculating through the Algal Ecology inalgalspeciesconcepts.Theinseparabilityofecology Laboratory at Bowling Green State University andsystematicshasbeenextendedtotheapplication coinciding with my 60th birthday seems an of algal communities in environmental assessment appropriate time for retrospection. The theme of (Bahls, 1973, 1974; Descy, 1979; Stevenson & Lowe, this special volume is ‘‘Benthic algae: Their Roles 1986; Morgan, 1987; Biggs, 1989; Dixit et al., in Aquatic Ecology, Systematics, and Environ- 1992; Lowe & Pan, 1996; Stevenson & Pan, 1999). mental Assessment.’’ Although these subdisci- Accuratespeciesidentificationisessentialforaccurate plines encompass an expansive continuum of environmental assessment whether the algal commu- questions of scientific interest it has become nities are modern or fossil. 2 Studentsinthealgalgraduateprogramoverthe Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While past three decades pursued a continuum of inter- Kociolek focused on taxonomic issues document- ests in the three sub disciplines (systematics, ecol- ing the diatom flora of selected streams includ- ogy and environmental assessment). This research ing the description of five new taxa (Kociolek continuum led to close and fertile interstudent & Lowe, 1983; Lowe & Kociolek 1984), Keithan collaborations that continue today. Many of the was ecologically focused examining the role of students that matriculated through the program current in structuring benthic algal communities are at the forefront of the field today. I am ex- (Keithan & Lowe, 1985). This initial research in tremely proud of them. I will divide my summary the Great Smoky Mountains National Park of these research pursuits into the three sub disci- made our current large-scale algal biodiversity plines, while recognizing their interrelatedness. project which is part of a larger all-taxa biodiver- sity inventory possible (Sharkey, 2001; Gomez etal.,2003;Potapova et al., 2003; Johansen et al., Systematics and morphology 2004). Taxonomic and floristic research in our labo- Our initial interest in the algae laboratory was ratory took a more international approach in the documenting the local flora of northwest Ohio, 1990s. In collaboration with Barry Biggs at The USA. Bowling Green rests in an area formerly National Institute for Water and Atmospheric known as ‘‘The Great Black Swamp,’’ a glacial Research while on a sabbatical leave in New remnant of Lake Erie (Kaatz, 1955). Streams in Zealand, we observed that diatoms from many northwest Ohio are all low-gradient in nature and local habitats were not easily identified using tax- strongly influenced by agricultural practices. The onomic literature from the northern hemisphere. Portage River system was studied by McCullough This led to a more intensive investigation into (1971),Jackson(1975)andRohr(1977).Stevenson endemicNewZealanddiatomspecies(Sabbeetal., (1976), Kline (1975) and Pryfogle (1976) investi- 2001;Kilroyetal.,2003)thatisstillinprogress.In gated algal communities in the Sandusky River. addition to our New Zealand algal floristic work, Acker (1977), Fisher (1980) and Lamb (1983) the arrival of Sophia Passy in Bowling Green en- researched the algae of the Maumee River. The abled us to pursue taxonomic/floristic work on algal flora of these rivers is typical of sluggish, diatoms from Bulgaria (Passy & Lowe, 1994) and nutrient-rich water. Phytoplankton was typically from South Africa (Passy-Tolar et al., 1997). dominated by small centric diatoms in the genera Taxonomy and floristics continue to one of the Cyclotella, Stephanodiscus and Thalassiosira (Lowe central areas of research interest in the Bowling & Crang, 1972; Busch, 1974; Lowe, 1975; Lowe & Green algae laboratory. Busch, 1975; Lowe & Kline, 1976; Kline & Lowe, 1976).Thebenthicalgalfloraofthesesediment-rich rivers was dominated by epipelic species typical Ecology of low-gradient streams (Jackson & Lowe, 1978; Kociolek et al., 1983). The major focus of research activities of students Following extensive research on northwestern matriculatingthroughthegraduateprograminthe Ohiostreamsweinitiatedstudiedinthesoutheastern algology laboratory at Bowling Green has, not United States in the late 1970s. Camburn (1977) surprisingly, centered on ecology. Because algal wroteathesisonthediatomfloraofLongBranch assemblages are spatially compact and respond to CreekinSouthCarolinathatledtohissubstantial environmental variables relatively quickly, they and profusely-illustrated manuscript (Camburn et areideal subjects forstudentswantingtopursue a al.,1978)inwhichhedescribedelevennewdiatom research question addressing community ecology taxaformafloraof268totaltaxa.Theappearance inalimitedperiodoftime.Also,algaestandatthe of so many undescribed taxa provided incentive interface of the abiotic and biotic components of for continued taxonomic and floristic research in the ecosystem converting inorganic minerals to thesoutheast.Kociolek(1982)andKeithan(1983) organic compounds. Thus, algal community both conducted their graduate research in the structure, function and dynamics are potentially
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