Phytoplankton of the River Danube: Composition, Seasonality and Long-Term Dynamics

Abstract

Investigations on river phytoplankton in the Danube are summarised and placed into a historic perspective. Phytoplankton species composition always has been dominated by diatoms, particularly centric taxa. Longitudinal, seasonal and long-term dynamics are described and their implications are discussed. Factors responsible for the wax and wane of phytoplankton growth in the middle section of the river Danube are analysed and discussed. Survival, growth and production of phytoplankton in the Danube and in large rivers in general are then incorporated and integrated into the existing fundamental concepts of riverine ecosystems.