Grazer Control of Stream Algae: Modeling Temperature and Flood Effects

Abstract

A computer model for epilithic algae and grazer biomass in streams is modified to better predict the effects of temperature and is calibrated for diatoms and mayflies. Mayflies are predicted to maintain low diatom biomass provided that (1) temperatures remain within their preferred range (10–20°C); and (2) mayfly populations are not adversely affected by floods. Algal blooms are predicted to occur in mayfly-dominated streams above 20°C—temperatures common in pasture streams over summer. We hypothesize that mobile bed streams are susceptible to blooms during summer low flows following floods because (1) they usually lack temperature tolerant snail grazers; and (2) mayfly recovery lags behind algal regrowth, and there is a short period when algae escape from “top-down” grazer control.