Predictability of Ecological Changes in Lake Kinneret

Abstract

Several ecological key factors were indicated in the Lake Kinneret ecosystem during 1969-2000: Elevation of the biomass of non-pyrrhophyte-phytoplankton, chlorophyta, cyanobacteria, and diatoms; decline of Peridinium maximal from 215 - 240 to 175 - 200 ranges (g/m2); decline of zooplankton (herbivore and predator) relative to phytoplankton biomass (g/m2); lower loads of Nitrogen and slightly also phosphorus in the river Jordan discharge; decline of precipitations and lake water level; significant decline of epilimnetic nitrogen and minor changes of phosphorus concentrations initiated decline of N/P mass ratio to the establishment of a significant change of the ecosystem to be modified from P to N limitation. What could be other than essential outcome of future prediction that results of 20 years (1969-2000) of routine and comprehensive monitor carried out in Lake Kinneret initiated? The Lake Kinneret ecosystem dynamics after 2000 justified retroactive post-factum earlier conclusion of appropriate predictability.