Studies on Lake Vechten and Tjeukemeer, The Netherlands: 25th anniversary of the Limnological Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Art and Sciences

379 Pages·1982·32.84 MB·English

by  S. Parma (auth.)

Studies on Lake Vechten and Tjeukemeer,
The Netherlands
Developments in Hydrobiology 11
Series editor
H. J. Dumont
DR W. JUNK PUBLISHERS THE HAGUE-BOSTON-LONDON 1982
Studies on Lake Vechten and Tjeukemeer,
The Netherlands
25th anniversary of the Limnologicallnstitute of the
Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
Edited by
R. D. Gulati and S. Parma
Reprinted from Hydrobi%gia, vol. 95 (1982)
DR W. JUNK PUBLISHERS THE HAGUE-BOSTON-LONDON 1982
Distributors:
for the United States and Canada
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Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Main entry under title:
Studies on Lake Vechten and Tjeukemeer, The
Netherlands
(Developments in hydro biology ; II)
"Reprinted from Hydrobiologia, vol. 95 (1982)"
I. Limnology--N etherlands--V echten, Lake--
Congresses. 2. Limnology--N etherlands--Tjeukemeer
--Congresses. 3. Vechten, Lake (Netherlandsj-
Congresses. 4. Tjeukemeer (Netherlands)--Con-
gresses. 5. Limnologisch Instituut (Koninklijke
Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappenj I. Gulati,
R. D. II. Parma, S. III. Limnologisch Instituut
(Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappenj
IV. Hydrobiologia. V. Series.
QHl59.S78 1982 574.5 '26322'094921 82-7791
AACR2
ISBN -13: 978-94-009-8017-4 e-ISBN-13: 978-94-009-8015-0
DOl: 10.1007/978-94-009-8015-0
Cover design: Max Velthuijs
Copyright © 1982, Dr W. Junk Publishers, The Hague
Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1s t Edition 1982
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system. or transmitled in any form
or by any means. mechanical. photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior writlen permission of the publishers
Dr W. Junk Publishers, P.O. Box 13713, 2501 ES The Hague, The Netherlands.
Contents
Preface ............................................................................... VII
The twenty-fifth anniversary of the Limnological Institute, The Netherlands (1957-1982),
by S. Parma ...................................................................... .
PART ONE: LAKE VECHTEN
Lake Vechten: aspects of its morphometry, climate, hydrology and physico-chemical characteristics,
by C. L. M. Steenbergen & H. Verdouw ............................................... 11
The phytoplankton species composition and the seasonal periodicity in Lake Vechten from 1956 to
1979,
by Marianne C.1. Blaauboer ........ ... .... ........ ..... ...... . ..... ........ ...... .... 25
The primary production of phytoplankton in Lake Vechten,
by W. A. de Kloet .................................................................. 37
Contribution of photosynthetic sulphur bacteria to primary production in Lake Vechten,
by C. L. M. Steenbergen ............................................................ 59
The aquatic macrophytes of Lake Vechten. Species composition, spatial distribution and production,
by EUy P. H. Best ...................................... 65
00000000000000 00000000000000
Structural and functional characteristics of epiphyton and epipelon in relation to their distribution in
Lake Vechten,
by Herman J. Gons 79
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • 0 0 0 0 0 0
Macro-invertebrate communities associated with the macrophytes of Lake Vechten: structural and
functional relationships,
by Jan Dvorak & Elly P. H. Best 115
000000000.0000000000000000.00000000000.0000000000000 0
The zooplankton: its community structure, food and feeding, and role in the ecosystem of Lake
Vechten,
by R. D. Gulati, K. Siewertsen & G. Postema 127
0000000.000000000000000000000000.000000000
Sedimentation and breakdown kinetics of organic matter in the anaerobic zone of Lake Vechten,
by Tho E. Cappenberg & Ho Verdouw 165
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Aspects of aerobic mineralization during spring in Lake Vechten with special reference to the 14C-Iabel-
ling technique,
by Jo Jo Olie & Th. E. Cappenberg 181
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0
Nitrogen cycle of Lake Vechten: concentration patterns and internal mass-balance,
by H. Verdouw & E. M. J. Dekkers 191
0.000.0000000.00000000.000000000000000000000000000 0
VI
PART TWO: T JEUKEMEER
Hydrology of Tjeukemeer,
by J. D. Leenen .................................................................... 199
Physico-chemical environment in Tjeukemeer with special reference to speciation of algal nutrients,
by H. de Haan ..................................................................... 205
The algal periodicity in Tjeukemeer during 1968-1978,
by J. R. Moed & H. L Hoogveld ..................................................... 223
Population dynamics and production of Daphnia hyalin a Leydig and Daphnia cucullata Sars in
Tjeukemeer,
by J. Vijverberg & A. F. Richter. .. .. ....... .. .... ......... .... ... .... .. ... . ... .. ... .. 235
Population dynamics and production of Acanthocyclops robustus (Sars) and Mesocyclops leuckarti
(Claus) in Tjeukemeer,
by J. Vijverberg & A. F. Richter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 261
INST AR, a discrete event model for simulating zooplankton population dynamics,
by P. Hogeweg & A. F. Richter ...................................................... 275
Distribution and production of the larval chironomid populations in Tjeukemeer,
by D. M. Beattie ................................................................... 287
A note on the significance oflarger bivalve molluscs (Anodonta spp. and Dreissena sp.) in the food of
the eel (Anguilla anguilla) in Tjeukemeer,
by H. W. de Nie ................................................................... 307
Growth, condition and gonad development of bream (Abramis brama L.) in relation to its feeding
conditions in Tjeukemeer,
by E. H. R. R. Lammens ............................................................ 311
The relations between 0+ fish density, zooplankton size and the vulnerability of pikeperch, Stizosted
ion lucioperca, to angling in the Frisian lakes,
by W. L. T. vanpensen & J. Vijverberg ............................................... 321
P ART THREE: MISCELLANEOUS
Effects of thermal effluents from the Bergum Power Station on the zooplankton in the Bergumermeer,
by H. W. de Nie ................................................................... 337
Effects of entrapment and cooling water discharge by the Bergum Power Station on 0+ fish in the
Bergumermeer,
by W. L. T. van Densen & R. H. Hadderingh ................................. .......... 351
Temporal and spatial variations of dissolved oxygen concentrations in some Dutch polder ditches,
by R. Veeningen ............ ;...................................................... 369
Preface
The Netherlands, like the other industrialized countries in the northern hemisphere, is faced with increas
ing environmental pro blems. Being a country rich in water - at least in terms of surface area - and low-lying,
problems related to water are as old as the nation itself. The problems in regard to water quality are becoming
more acute and complicated due to the progressive rise in air and ground pollution. Glaring examples are the
acid rains and contamination of ground-water resources by toxic, and often illegal, waste dumps.
Being a delta country, the Netherlands is also very vulnerable to pollution from the·water sources outside
the country's national boundaries, i.e. the rivers Rhine, Meuse and ScheIdt.
Not only the national but also the international authorities are active in developing measures to both
prevent and combat water pollution, and to restore as far as possible the natural balance or a 'reasonable'
water quality. The pollution abatement programmes are based on ecological theories; accepting waterbodies
as aquatic ecosystems, the authorities concerned try to influence and lead the progresses in the systems to
reach or maintain the desired ecosystem structure. Suter II (1981) mentioned a number of reasons why the
attempts to use ecosystem theories to assess the impacts on the environment have been disappointing to date.
It is clear that one of the reasons for the failure is lack of proper knowledge.
The main mission of the Limnological Institute can be seen as work on fundamental pro blems, the solution
of which can facilitate political decision making. Despite the economic recession, we as Dutch limnologists
still have unique opportunities to do multidisciplinary, long-term, fundamental research on the structure and
functioning of our aquatic ecosystems. That our scientific programmes should be subservient to the needs of
society - though ambitious and challenging - is a realistic thought.
An important yardstick to measure the progress of work and the right of a scientific institute to exist is the
quality and quantity of its research output. The slogan 'work, finish and publish' does not need christening.
Thus the most festive way of celebrating our Silver Jubilee was to take stock of the situation, to pool our
scientific efforts and compile the more recent works in the form of the present volume.
The main objects of study in the past decade have been:
a. Lake Vechten, a mesotrophic stratified sandpit in the middle of the Netherlands; and
b. Lake Tjeukemeer, a shallow, eutrophic lake in one of the northern provinces.
Most of the contributions deal with these two lakes, and reflect the research themes of the four working
groups. In addition, recent work on Lake Bergum and on some Dutch polder ditches is included in a
miscellaneous section.
Thanks are due to Dr W. Junk Publishers, The Hague, for providing us the opportunity to use an entire
volume of Hydrobiologia, both as a scientific memoire and as a memento. Junk is international, of course. Its
roots are, however, in the Netherlands and we are glad to use a 'Dutch' journal. The Institute is most grateful
to Dr Henri Dumont, the editor-in-chief, and to Wil R. Peters and Cliff Morgan of the Publishers for the
most pleasant cooperation. I am indebted to Miss Joke van Kleinwee and Miss Marion McLaughlin for the
typing work and to Mr. E. M. Marien, who took, the photographs. The Board of the Royal Netherlands
VIII
Academy of Arts and Sciences gave us the necessary financial support for this publication. The most
important job was done by Dr Ramesh D. Gulati who spent several months correcting and improving the
various typescripts. This loyal cooperation deserves the gratitude of the Institute.
Reference
Suter II. G. w., 1981. Ecosystem theory and Nepa assessment. Bull. Ecol. Soc. Am. 62: 186-192.
Nieuwersluis, Dr S. Parma,
10 August 1982 Director
The twenty-fifth anniversary ofthe Limnological Institute, The Netherlands (1957-1982)
S. Parma
Limnological Institute, 'Vijverhof Laboratory, Rijksstraatweg 6, 3631 A C Nieuwers/uis, The Netherlands
Keywords: history, Limnological Institute, Netherlands, jubilee
Abstract
This paper marks the silver jubilee in 1982 of the Limnological Institute, The Netherlands. It describes the
history, present research programme and organisation ofthe Institute, as well as its cooperative studies with
other institutes and its training facilities.
Some remarks about its future plans of work are made.
History before 1957 They were housed in a few rooms of the University
of Utrecht. This situation lasted from 1954 until
As early as 1912 the 'Netherlands Society for the 1957 (Havinga 1957).
Prevention of Water, Ground and Air Pollution' Not only the Hydrobiological Society, but also
tried to establish a Dutch Hydrobiological Station. the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Scien
Fischer(l912) stressed the need for a hydrobiologi ces, urged the need for a hydro biological research
cal centre to study the biological aspects of water centre. In 1952, a Committee on Ecology reported
quality control, citing the existence of similar insti about the situation on ecological research in our
tutes abroad, such as those in Besse (France), country. It was stressed that in a country like the
Aneboda(Sweden), Plon(Germany), Lakeside La Netherlands, with its rich water resources, a biolog
boratory (Iowa, U.S.A.), etc. However, the society ical institute studying fundamental fresh-water
failed in getting the necessary funds. problems was urgently needed. Such an institute
After World War I the attempts were restarted. could function as a natural complement to the N e
Romijn (1920) tried to give a new stimulus to the therlands I nstitute for Sea Research and a few other
Netherlands Society, but due to the bad economic institutes dealing with applied fresh water research
situation, without any success. (Rapport 1952). Notwithstanding all this, the
I t was not until the early fifties that the' Hydro bi Committee on Ecology did not recommend the es
ological Society' formed a special 'Committee for tablishment of an institute. It feared a heavy strain
the Foundation of a Hydrobiological Station'. In on the governmental budgets and an undesirable
its opinion such a station must be intended to inves competition with other claims for support of eco
tigate fundamental and applied hydro biological logical research topics. The Committee did, howev
problems, and also play an active role in the train er, ask for funds to support preliminary investiga
ing of university students. But again the govern tions, focussed on the significance of organisms in
ment was not willing to give financial support. Ne the cycle of elements in a freshwater ecosystem.
vertheless, the Hydrobiological Society continued Due to the perseverance of the Hydrobiological
its efforts and succeeded in mustering a few re Society, the Committee on Ecology of the Royal
search projects, financed by different authorities. Academy installed in 1955 a subcommittee on hy-
Hydrobiologia 95,1-9 (1982). 0018-8158/82/0951-0001/$01.80.
© Dr W. Junk Publishers, The Hague. Printed in The Netherlands.
2
drobiology. Ofthe5 members, Dr. Mrs. N. L. Wi Delta Institute for Hydrobiological Research.
baut-Isebree Moens and Dr. B. Havinga were de However, the Board of the Royal Academy has to
puted by the Hydrobiological Society; Prof. Dr. re-evaluate every five years the relations between
G. P. Baerends(chairman), Prof. Dr. A. W. H. van the two institutes.
Herk and Dr. J. Verwey were members of the In the next few paragraphs I will deal only with
Committee on Ecology; and Dr. H. N. Kluyverwas the Limnological Institute.
secretary. This subcommittee advised in 1956 the In the Subcommittee on Hydrobiology, two dif
foundation of a Hydrobiological Institute in the ferent approaches to the objectives of the Hydrobi
lake area in central Netherlands. It was proposed ological Institute already existed. The representa
that this institute study fundamental hydrobiologi tives of the Hydrobiological Society stressed the
cal problems in their broadest sense, and provide need to tackle applied limnological problems, par
facilities for research training of university stu ticularly those concerning the management of
dents. aquatic ecosystems. On the other hand, the Royal
Simultaneously with these discussions in the sub Academy laid emphasis on 'free' and fundamental
committee, the Committee on Ecology consulted research. The current rules of the Institute show a
several authorities about the desirability of found synthesis of the two view points. The official 0 bjec
ing a so-called Delta research laboratory in the tives of the Institute are:
estuarine SW part of the Netherlands. In this region I) to undertake, perform and stimulate biological,
the so-called Deltaplan (that is, the damming of chemical and hydrographical research of inland
several estuaries for safety reasons) was in progress. waters, all in the broadest sense,
A study of the biological consequences of this 'ma 2) to collaborate with other organisations in sim
cro' field experiment was strongly advocated. The ilar fields of interest,
recommendations of both the Committee on Ecol 3) to contribute to the training oflimnologists and
ogy and the Subcommittee on Hydrobiology were limnological students.
combined, and the Royal Academy asked the Min
istry of Education, Arts and Sciences for a budget The Vijverhof Laboratory
to realise both proposals (Verwey 1977). In 1957 the
Ministry put asidef 54 000 for the foundation of a The institute was accommodated in 1957 in an
Hydrobiological Institute with a Department for old country-house called 'Vijverhof in the small
Delta Research. The Hydrobiological Institute was village ofNieuwersluis, approximately 20 km north
stationed at Nieuwersluis, near the Loosdrecht of Utrecht (Fig. I). It selected Lake Vechten as
Lakes, and the Department for Delta Research at object of research. This lake (Fig. 2) was created in
Yerseke in the middle of the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt 1941 by excavating superficial sand layers, needed
delta. for the construction of a highway. The lake, a sand
pit (surface area 4.7 ha; max. depth, 11.9 m; mean
depth, 6 m), is thermally stratified from about May
The 1957-1982 period to early November. It has a well developed littoral
region. During the stagnation period the anaerobic
Introduction zone extends maximally to the 6 m isobath. The
phytoplankton composition points to a slightly eu
From their inception the Hydrobiological Insti trophic environment. The staff in the first years
tute and the Department for Delta research func consisted of only a few members, so the research in
tioned as independent units with their own direc Lake Vechten had mainly an inventory character.
tors, management committees and budgets. The first Gradually the staff increased and the initial stage
directors were Dr. Miss M. F. E. Nicolai and Dr. was followed in the late sixties by a phase in which
K. F. Vaas, respectively. In 1968 this actual situa several processes in the lake were described more
tion was confirmed by a change of names of both thoroughly. It was focussed at the species and pop
departments. From this time, the Royal Nether ulation level and dealt with more or less isolated
lands Academy of Arts and Sciences has been su aspects of, for example, the energy flow, minerali
pervising both the Limnological Institute and the sation and nutrient recycling, and population regu-