Estimating nutrient thresholds for eutrophication management: Novel insights from understudied lake types

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154242
• Publication Date: 2022-03-02T00:34:15Z
• Authors: Sandra Poikane; Martyn G. Kelly; Gábor Várbíró; Gábor Borics; Tibor Erős; Seppo Hellsten; Agnieszka Kolada; Balázs András Lukács; Anne Lyche Solheim; José Pahissa López; Nigel J. Willby; Georg Wolfram; Geoff Phillips
• Keywords: Water Framework Directive

Nutrient targets based on pressure-response models are essential for defining ambitions and managing eutrophication. However, the scale of biogeographical variation in these relationships is poorly understood, which may hinder eutrophication management regions where lake ecology less intensively studied. In this study, we derive ecology-based nutrient five major ecoregions Europe: Northern, Central-Baltic, Alpine, Mediterranean Eastern Continental. As a first step, developed regressions between concentrations ecological quality ratios (EQR) phytoplankton macrophyte communities. Significant were established 13 types; most cases, stronger phosphorus than nitrogen, macrophytes. Using regressions, estimated total (TP) nitrogen (TN) at lakes different types likely to achieve good status. very shallow Continental region, relations biological communities weak or non-significant. This can be attributed high (in asymptotic zone phosphorus-phytoplankton models) suggesting other factors (light, grazing) limit primary production. also show that fish stocking pressure lakes, negatively affecting status: with low chlorophyll-a status despite levels, while study highlights need better understand biogeographic have been, historical reasons, This, turn, helps reveal challenge dominant paradigms assessment management.