Effects of phosphorus enrichment on the spatial heterogeneity of stream periphyton under uneven light conditions

Abstract Spatial variations in light and nutrient availability usually lead to a heterogeneous distribution of periphyton biomass within streams, but the effects enrichment on heterogeneity are still poorly understood. We tested phosphorus quantity nutritional quality an environment with uneven conditions. Natural was grown at either high or low P supply circular running water flumes, each which half shaded light. After 3 weeks, significantly more than supply, as algal production increased only P-enriched treatment. However, C:P ratio equally homogeneous both treatments, despite differences experimental flume. Although this outcome seems contrast light:nutrient hypothesis, it is likely that high-quantity patches acquired depleted available for low-quantity patches, leading even Therefore, availability, has potential increase without affecting quality, due not being independent one another.