Lake-type-specific seasonal patterns of nutrient limitation in German lakes, with target nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations for good ecological status

摘要

1. Eutrophication is a global environmental problem that leaves many lakes with impaired ecological status. Human activity has increased the total concentrations of both nitrogen and phosphorus in aquatic systems, but their relative influence on phytoplankton biomass is uncertain. Their action as alternative limiting resources complicates assessment of their relative influence and disagreement may be in part due to seasonal shifts and lake-type-specific differences in the prevalence of limitation by nitrogen versus phosphorus. Debate continues as to whether measures to reduce nitrogen would be beneficial in addition to controls placed on phosphorus.