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Algal Attributes: An Autecological Classification of Algal Taxa Collected by the National Water-Quality Assessment Program

By Stephen D. Porter

Data Series 329

U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey

U.S. Department of the Interior DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Mark D. Myers, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2008

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Suggested citation: Porter, S.D., 2008, Algal attributes: An autecological classification of algal taxa collected by the National WaterQuality Assessment Program: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 329, http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/ds329/

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Contents
Abstract...........................................................................................................................................................1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................1 Nutrient and Organic Enrichment ......................................................................................................1 Major Ions and pH................................................................................................................................2 Microhabitat Traits ...............................................................................................................................3 Semi-Quantitative Approaches for Evaluating Algal Species Autecology .................................3 Tolerant and Sensitive Species..........................................................................................................4 Objectives and Scope ..........................................................................................................................4 Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................4Methods...........................................................................................................................................................4 Indicators of Nutrient Concentrations and Trophic Condition ......................................................4 Indicators of Organic Enrichment......................................................................................................5 Indicators of pH, Salinity, Specific Conductance, and Chloride Concentrations.......................5 Indicators of Microhabitat Traits, Suspended Sediment, and Calcium Concentrations...........5 Calculating Algal Metrics ....................................................................................................................5 Discussion.......................................................................................................................................................6 Summary..........................................................................................................................................................6 ReferencesCited............................................................................................................................................7 Data Files .......................................................................................................................................................12

Tables
1. National algal-metric indicators of nutrient concentrations and trophic condition .......13 2. Regional algal-metric indicators of nutrient concentrations and trophic condition...