Gross primary production and respiration differences among littoral and pelagic habitats in northern Wisconsin lakes

Abstract

Net ecosystem production (NEP) trends among lakes have been ascribed to differences in nutrient and allochthonous carbon inputs, but little is known on how different habitats within lakes contribute to these trends. We sampled pelagic and littoral surface waters using sonde (i.e., free-water) and bottle methods concurrently in lakes spanning a range of trophic conditions. We considered whether the typically higher metabolism estimates found with sonde methods are due to contributions from littoral habitats not reflected by bottle estimates. We sought the source of littoral contributions by selecting sites with maximum differences in macrophyte abundance. Sonde estimates for pelagic primary production and respiration were two–three times greater than bottle estimates. Sonde/bottle ratios were higher in productive lakes and lakes with more littoral area. Bottle estimates were similar among all sites, and sonde estimates in macrophyte-poor sites were similar to pelagic sondes. However, sonde estimates in macrophyte-rich areas were four–nine times greater than bottle estimates. Results suggest littoral zones increase whole-lake NEP in eutrophic systems, whereas the Sphagnum mat surrounding dystrophic lakes decreases NEP. Non-planktonic organisms associated with macrophytes provide important littoral contributions to whole-lake metabolism and to understanding NEP trends among lakes.