A comparison of vascular vegetation and protozoan communities in some freshwater wetlands of northern lower Michigan

TitleA comparison of vascular vegetation and protozoan communities in some freshwater wetlands of northern lower Michigan
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1981
AuthorsHenebry MS, Jr. JCairns, Schwintzer CR, Jr. WHYongue
JournalHydrobiologia
Volume83
Pagination353-375
KeywordsWETLANDS
Abstract

Vascular vegetation and protozoan communities were sampled in seven wetland sites - two bogs, two fens, two marshes, and one ’swamp’- in summer 1977. Two similarity indices were used to compare vascular vegetation and Protozoa from each site with all the other sites. Bog sites were the most distinct from other wetland types with respect to chemical and physical characteristics, dominant vascular vegetation, and protozoan species composition. The ’swamp’ site had the highest similarity to all other sites with respect to both dominant vascular vegetation and protozoan species. Protozoan communities from different wetland types were much more similar than dominant vascular species; however, the pattern of similarity between wetland sites was very similar for both groups (Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient = 0.76). Protozoan communities were also compared with those from several nearby lakes with respect to colonization rate onto polyurethane foam artificial substrates. The structure and dynamics of protozoan communities of wetlands were broadly different from those of other freshwaters, and somewhat unique to the other wetland types. Evidence for a high degree of eutrophy in certain bog lakes is presented.