By Jennifer L. Jermalowicz-Jones
Ph.D. Candidate
Restorative Lake Sciences
Introduction
Algae (also referred to as phy
toplankton) serve as the base of the food chain for aquatic life of a higher trophic level. They provide zooplankton with nutrients for growth, filter the water, and are consumed by macro-invertebrates. The lake fishery is dependent upon macro-invertebrates as a primary food source. Thus, it is critical for a healthy and robust lake fishery to access a healthy population of algae in the lake. Not all algae has equal nutritive value, with small green algae and diatoms preferred by zooplanton and filter feeders and blue green algae being the least desirable or palatable.
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