Biotic Flow of Carbon and Phosphorus in the Lake-Catchment System.

Abstract

To assess the flow of organic carbon in a lake ecosystem surrounded by terrestrial vegetation, a mass-balance model was developed based on a concept that interprets vegetation production as a function of heat and moisture. The concept was complemented by a description of the rates of mineralization of vegetation products and removal of released nutrients into the aquatic environment. Biogenic elements and solar radiation initiate the synthesis and biotic flow of organic matter in the aquatic community. The model is designed to predict the biomass and annual production of terrestrial vegetation and key groups of aquatic organisms, including fish, in lake-type systems in the Northern Hemisphere.