Phytoplankton primary production of three temporary northern prairie wetlands

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Abstract
Measurements of phytoplankton primary production in three temporary Alberta ponds indicate a huge potential carbon and energy source for higher trophic levels associated with these systems. The ponds had high levels of NO3-N (maximum 1.6 mg∙L−1) and PO4-P (maximum 3.6 mg∙L−1). Water temperature varied by as much as 15 °C over the diel cycle, while primary production peaked in mid-afternoon. Production rates ranged from 0.6 to 400 mg C∙m−3∙T−1 and were strongly correlated (r = 0.9) with phytoplankton density. Total annual production for the ponds varied from 187 to 3311 kg C. These annual production values are low relative to prairie lakes; however, the number of small temporary ponds is about three orders of magnitude greater than lakes making phytoplankton production of these small water bodies a potentially important source of energy in prairie food webs.

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