Phytoplankton succession in an artificial, periodically drained small water body

This study was undertaken to monitor the course of a secondary succession of phytoplankton in temporary water bodies, based on a man-made periodically drained pond. Results of phycological analyses showed, that small Chlorophyceae from the order Chlorococcales predominated qualitatively throughout the study period. Chlorophyceae, e.g. stress-resistant Haematococcus pluvialis, developed best as the first algae (after the pond was re-filled). In the next stages of diatom succession (Ulnaria ulna) predominated quantitatively, followed by the longest period of Cyanobacteria (Aphanothece elabens) predominance, replaced again by Chlorophyceae (Tetraëdron minimum and Oocystis lacustris). Total abundance of algae, similarly as that of Cyanobacteria, were positively correlated with temperature and pH of water.