Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

Short Term Effects Of Hurricane Irma On The Phytoplankton Of Lake Louise, Georgia, Usa, Marque'l K. Gould, Adam J. Nienow, Anastasia V. F. Nienow, James A. Nienow

Georgia Journal of Science

Natural disturbances such as fires and severe storms can have profound impacts on the hydrology and ecology of inland waters, potentially altering the structure and function of the ecosystem for extended periods of time. Studies of the initial impacts are, however, uncommon. Here we report on the short-term impacts of Hurricane Irma in the structure of the phytoplankton association in Lake Louise, a small blackwater lake in southern Georgia. Irma hit the region on September 11, 2017, with tropical storm force winds. The event corresponded to a period during which we were conducting routine weekly monitoring of environmental conditions in …