Phytoplankton communities of northern Michigan lakes.

Abstract

Fifteen lakes in northern Michigan were sampled in early May to be examined for similarities and differences in phytoplankton communities. Correlations between chemical parameters and phytoplankton community structure were sought to determine the ability to predict water chemistry based on an examination of algal samples. Water chemistry samples and phytoplankton samples were taken at the same time and place; chemistry was determined by standard methods and phytoplankton were identified to species where possible and counted by standard nanoplankton counting methods. Statistical tests analyzing similarities and differences in the algal communities and identifying possible correlations were employed and results compared to determine the best tests for the goals of this study. Lakes were found to differ from each other in different ways depending on the variables examined. Although some simple correlations and regressions were found, most chemical and biological relationships were found to be complex and best analyzed using multi-dimensional techniques.