Effect of different light conditions on cyanobactria and algal communities in Tatra Mts stream (Poland)

Different light conditions at the open and shaded sites caused by marginal vegetation affected the structure of cyanobacteria and algae communities, but had no effect on chlorophyll a content. In the open area Hydrurus foetidus (Villars) Trevisan, Homoeothrix janthina (Bornet et Flahault) Starmach, and diatoms (mainly Achnanthes minutissima Kütz. together with A. biasolettiana Grun. and species from the Gomphonema genus ) were the most numerous. In shadow the abundance of Hydrurus foetidus drastically decreased, whereas the diatom biomass index, Achnanthes minutissima and A. biasolettiana showed a tendency to reduce their number. On the contrary, the abundance of green algae and Cocconeis placentula Ehr. var. euglypta Ehr. increased. Chlorophyll a contents of both sites obtain the highest values in summer - autumn and the lowest in the winter - spring seasons.