Biotic Energy Flow Passing through the Microbial Trophic Web in the Pelagic Zone of Lake Ecosystems

Abstract

An algorithm of a dynamic mass-balance model emulating the biotic energy flow in a planktonic community with the involvement of microbial organisms has been developed. The abiotic input parameters of the model are the latitude, mean depth of the water body, total phosphorus content, and water color. The model makes it possible to forecast the biomass and production of key plankton groups. It is shown that the food-base production for fish and their growth are determined by the degree of protozoan plankton involvement in the trophic web.