This is the most detail I can find in a single article without buying any or hitting a university library, but this is an interesting biotope. http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publication...-appendixC.pdf
See page 16. Decreasing lake clarity and eutrophication due partly to introduced species may have already caused some damage, but it almost makes me want to take a trip to Tahoe.
Anyone have access to more detailed articles? Are there (dare I hope) images, if someone raised the cash to get a sub down there?
Knowing others, one is wise; knowing the self, one is enlightened. In conquering others, one is forceful; in conquering oneself, one is mighty.
Mosses grow at that depth and low temperature because the CO2 content is high and they can withstand the pressure (no vascular system) and low light. I believe that the temperature would be the most difficult part in trying to grow those mosses in a home aquarium. Also apart from the Fissidens spp. the looks of the other mosses would not be too spectacular. But if you can get a sub, its worth a try...
It's a highly oligotrophic lake, so I assume they grow at that depth and not above because higher temps and illumination levels would make it impossible for them to take in enough nutrients, and higher nutrient levels would shut them off from the last bits of available light. There are similar beds in Crater Lake in the US, but the species diversity is much lower (I think only 1 species of moss in Crater Lake?). Considering the geological history of the lake, I suspect the moss fields were relict populations that were present in the area before it became a lake basin, then found a new stable niche as the lake formed. Crater, being the caldera of an extinct volcano, depended on spore drift (a natural barrier) and hasn't had the time to build any complex species assemplies.
Knowing others, one is wise; knowing the self, one is enlightened. In conquering others, one is forceful; in conquering oneself, one is mighty.
The importance of CO2 and temperature in mosses that are found at depth is critical for the growth of mosses at depth. There is alot of evidence for this. In a lake in Sweden the mosses grow at greater depth because it is supersaturated with CO2 http://www.jstor.org/pss/2960508. In Yellowstone Fontinalis grows extensively round a volcanic vent, and the place is supersaturated with CO2. The interesing discovery is reported; http://beforeitsnews.com/story/203/2...tone_Lake.html
There is quite alot of info on the net if you search this subject.
Most lake bottoms have a high quantity of decaying OM which increases the CO2 levels. Crater Lakes leak high levels of CO2, as in the case of lake Nyos which has killed 100s of people when the CO2 gassed out.
Even terrestrial mosses are frequently found on cold lake bottoms. Low temperatures increase CO2 solubility. Its not just a coincidence that the mosses grow there. Moss spores are easily brought in by air, animals, people etc. Its the conditions which they require that matter and not the dispersal mechanisms.
I have done quite extensive research on subject and have conducted a number of trials with submerged terrestrial mosses, temperature and injected CO2 levels, and it is very evident that the limiting factor in mosses is CO2 (not light or nutrients). Perhaps I will publish a paper someday but for now I am simply using the results to enjoy my aquarium.
The importance of CO2 and temperature in mosses that are found at depth is critical for the growth of mosses at depth. There is alot of evidence for this. In a lake in Sweden the mosses grow at greater depth because it is supersaturated with CO2 http://www.jstor.org/pss/2960508. In Yellowstone Fontinalis grows extensively round a volcanic vent, and the place is supersaturated with CO2. The interesing discovery is reported; http://beforeitsnews.com/story/203/2...tone_Lake.html
There is quite alot of info on the net if you search this subject.
Most lake bottoms have a high quantity of decaying OM which increases the CO2 levels. Crater Lakes leak high levels of CO2, as in the case of lake Nyos which has killed 100s of people when the CO2 gassed out.
Even terrestrial mosses are frequently found on cold lake bottoms. Low temperatures increase CO2 solubility. Its not just a coincidence that the mosses grow there. Moss spores are easily brought in by air, animals, people etc. Its the conditions which they require that matter and not the dispersal mechanisms.
I have done quite extensive research on subject and have conducted a number of trials with submerged terrestrial mosses, temperature and injected CO2 levels, and it is very evident that the limiting factor in mosses is CO2 (not light or nutrients). Perhaps I will publish a paper someday but for now I am simply using the results to enjoy my aquarium.
Don't misundersand - I'm not disputing what you say about CO2. But there must be a host of other variables, or any deep, cold lake with clear water would have a similar community, no?
Knowing others, one is wise; knowing the self, one is enlightened. In conquering others, one is forceful; in conquering oneself, one is mighty.
"But there must be a host of other variables, or any deep, cold lake with clear water would have a similar community, no?"
> Well actually a number of Scottish Lochs have deep water communities of moss (even the terrestrial Polytrichum!), Also Swedish, Polish, Dutchand Russian lakes have deep water moss communities. There are many papers on the net about these cold lake mosses eg http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...1&searchtype=a
http://www.ib-pan.krakow.pl/pubs-pdf...0/W167_173.pdf
Then there is the classic example of the usually terrestrial Bryum pseudotriquetrum living at 81m in polar lakes in Antartica! http://www.springerlink.com/content/g70jq6218006m0qp/
And these communities are still being found...
There is IMO only one explanation, and I have proven it in my own aquarium.
Last edited by stephan; 15th Jan 2011 at 05:43.
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