LIMNOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NORTH AND CENTRAL FLORIDA LAKES1

Abstract

Fifty‐five lakes and ponds in north‐central Florida were sampled over 1 year. Florida lakes are typically shallow and derived from solution of limestone formations underlying the peninsula. Stable thermal stratification occurs in 13 lakes and temporary stratification is a common summer phenomenon in many shallow lakes. Lakes in this region are typically low ionic strength waters. Of the 12 lakes classified as hardwater, the condition in some derives from cultural encroachment. High organic color derived primarily from pine litter is a common but variable property. Multivariate cluster analysis grouped the lakes into four classes according to their basic chemical properties. Using seven quantitative trophic indicators, cluster analysis divided the low color lakes into three readily interpretable groups (oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and eutrophic) and the colored lakes into five groups. Highest eutrophic conditions are associated with hardwater clear lakes; the softwater clear lakes were most oligotrophic. Favorable growth conditions enable algae blooms to occur throughout the year in eutrophic lakes; the common blue‐green bloom‐forming algae, Microcystis, Anabaena, and Lyngbya are among the dominant phytoplankton of eutrophic Florida lakes.