The intermittent Lake Cerknica: Various faces of the same ecosystem

Abstract

Abstract The turnover of matter and through‐flow of energy in the intermittent Lake Cerknica is facilitated by the exchanging wet and dry periods, which either promote or suppress growth and development of organisms, depending on the season of the year. Any deviation from normal floods significantly affects the productivity of reed stands. Drainage of the lake prevents a constant presence of aquatic organisms, particularly planktonic species. Drying and wetting accelerates the decomposition of organic matter. The nutrient input into the lake by one surface tributary proved to be relatively high. The quantity of nutrients in the lake water is lower, however, because of the high buffering capacity of the densely vegetated ecosystem.