The phytoplankton functional groups in the reservoirs of the Cantareira System, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to verify if the phytoplankton community responds to different trophic states in the reservoirs of the Cantareira System, based on the distribution of phytoplankton functional groups (GFF). The samplings were carried out in the Jaguari-Jacarei, Cachoeira, Atibainha and Paiva Castro reservoirs, in the periods of May/June and November/December of 2013. Overall, most of the reservoirs were mesotrophic, where Jaguari, had the highest trophic state, classified as supereutrophic. We found a spatiotemporal variation of trophy of the upstream reservoir trophy, with high GFF biomass records in the first sampling and in the second, high biomass of GFF filamentous cyanobacteria, showing a correlation between environmental variables and the biomass variation of the GFF. The trophic classification of these environments based on GFF was effective, since the occurrence of tolerant or sensitive GFF was compatible with the environmental characteristics.