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Ecology

Production in pristine lakes

Nature volume 460, pages 463–464 (2009)Cite this article

An investigation of lakes in Sweden has delivered results that run counter to the idea that primary production is generally limited by the availability of nutrients. There are lessons for limnologists in this.

On page 506 of this issue, Karlsson et al.1 show that, in lakes, the primary production of algae and the growth of bottom-dwelling (benthic) invertebrates and fishes is not controlled by nutrients. Rather, the determining factor is the light climate, which is itself determined by dissolved organic matter from the watershed. This conclusion is both intriguing and likely to prove controversial.

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Figure 1: Clear difference.

JENNY ASK

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  1. Jonathan J. Cole is at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York 12545-0129, USA. colej@caryinstitute.org ,

    Jonathan J. Cole

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  1. Jonathan J. Cole
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Cole, J. Production in pristine lakes. Nature 460, 463–464 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/460463a

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