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7. Tundra stream macroalgae of North America: composition, distribution and physiological adaptations

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Abstract

Eighty-three infrageneric taxa of stream macroalgae have been reported from tundra regions of North America, composed of 32 cyanobacteria, 35 Chlorophyta, 10 Chrysophyta and 6 Rhodophyta. There are few if any endemics represented in this flora. The most widespread species are the cyanobacteria Rivularia minutula, Nostoc commune and Tolypothrix tenuis as well as asexual populations of the chlorophyte genus Zygnema. The relative contribution of cyanobacteria compared to that of the Chlorophyta increases from the low to high arctic. Number of species per segment ranges from 0 to 7, with a mean of 2.8, and varies little between the low and high arctic. The percentage of stream bottom covered by macroalgae ranges from 0 to ca. 75%; mean cover values for low and high arctic streams are ca. 12 and 8%, respectively. Tundra macroalgae tend to be more abundant and diverse in less rigorously flowing stream sections. Most species tolerate prolonged freezing by forming resistant vegetative cells with thick walls, plentiful reserves and low molecular weight solutes to lower the freezing point. Many tundra stream macroalgae also produce ‘sunscreen’ pigments to reduce exposure to damaging radiation in the blue and ultraviolet regions. Nutrients tend to be low and phosphorus is often limiting in these systems. Arctic streams appear to differ from those of Antarctica in having potential grazers of macroalgae, such as the chironomid Diamesa, the mayfly Baetis and the caddisfly Brachycentrus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dean's office, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, N1G 2W1, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

    Robert G. Sheath

  2. Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, Porter Hall, Ohio University, 45701, Athens, OH, USA

    Morgan L. Vis

  3. Byrd Polar Research Center, Ohio State University, 43210, Columbus, OH, USA

    Julie A. Hambrook

  4. Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Kathleen M. Cole

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  1. Robert G. Sheath
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  4. Kathleen M. Cole
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Sheath, R.G., Vis, M.L., Hambrook, J.A. et al. 7. Tundra stream macroalgae of North America: composition, distribution and physiological adaptations. Hydrobiologia 336, 67–82 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00010820

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