AnnuatRqport . .1993-1994 1 For ewor d The past year has been one of considerable change in NIERC, both in the focus of its science and in its structures. The catalyst for these changes was the publication of the White Paper Reali7ing our Potential. NERC was given a new mission for its science to embrace the concepts of meeting the needs of its user communities and contributing to wealth creation and the quality of life. We have, of course, always paid close attention to these objectives, but there is now a clear need for a sharper focus and better articulation of what we do in these areas. Basic science and long- tenn monitoring are also included in our mission, and due weight must also be given to these when developing our science strategies. The science directorates will cease to exist towards the end of 1994, and new structures will be put in place. If D Institutes are being regrouped as the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. However, the report of the Multi- Departmental Scrutiny of Public Sector Research Establishments is awaited, and decisions arising from this may result in further organisational changes within NERC. An important activity during the year has been the preparation of a new science and technology strategy for the terrestrial and freshwater sciences. Publication is expected in July, and a number of research areas will be identified for priority support over the next five years. This is my second and fmal foreword. During my relatively short time with NERC, I have come to appreciate and value the breadth and strength of our work in the terrestrial, freshwater and hydrological sciences. The last year has seen changes in the senior managementposts at IFE. ProfessOr I G Jones relinquished his duties as Director to concentrate on his FBA post and Professor A D Pickering is Acting Director I would like to express my appreciation to both of them. As this Report shows, there have been exciting developments in all the main areas of IFE science, including IFE's involvement in the LOIS (Land-Ocean Interaction Study) Community Research Programme and UK Environmental Change Network. Finally, I should like to state how much I have appreciated the friendships that I have established with so many members of our community. It is these that will be my most valued and lasting memories of NERC. C Anne Director of Terrestrial and Freshwater Sciences Front Cover Illustration: Electrofishing in the outflow stream of Scoat tarn, Wasdale, at an altitude of 1500 ft, for the national acid waters monitoring programme. Report of the Institute of Freshwater Ecology 1993/1994 Natural Environment Research Council á Contents Foreword Director's introduction Management of lakes and reservoirs Managing water quality - why it matters Modelling algal growth The phosphorus cycle Local applications Ecology of large lowland rivers Introduction Food resources in river channels Invertebrates in marinas Discussion Land-river interactions Introduction Faunal richness of headwater streams Habitat/fauna relationships - application to management Microbes in the aquatic environment 10 Methanogens in ciliates Electron microscopy Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa Bioremediation TIGER Immunodetection of toxic flagellates Fish population dynamics and management 13 Post-Chernobyl radiocaesiurn in brown trout and Arctic charr from six Cuntbrian lakes The relative benefits of "point-stocking" and "scatter-stocking" with unfed Atlantic salmon fry Ecology of schelly in Haweswater The endocrine response of trout alevins and fry to environmental stress during a "critical period" Physico-chemical processes in catchments 17 Chemical modelling Radiocaesium in aquatic systems Silicon dynamics in rivers Biological response to the remediation of an acid lake Sediment studies Chemical analysis River ecosystem processes 20 Control of Simulium posticatum in the River Stour Ecological characteristics of coarse fish in rivers Conservation classification of rivers Aggressive invasive water plants Assessment and prediction of changes in the aquatic environment 21 Introduction Changes over hours to seasons - pH fluctuations in Esthwaite Water Relationship between Windermere sediment accumulation and the weekly plankton records over the last 50 years The impact of daily weather changes on our perception of algal blooms at Loch Leven Laboratory Services 24 The library and information service Electronics and instrumentation Property, buildings and equipment Staff and external activities 26 Staff changes NERC activities Scientific Societies Collaboration With universities International meetings and visits The Freshwater Biological Association 30 Appendices 31 1 Finance 2 Staff list 3 Project list 4 Publications Addresses 44 Director s introduc ion this, 16 Technoissyy c _sight Panels have algal blooms as lakes and reservoirs, are been armoimed, each to review a specific still a majosr- concern to the ",Arater industry' d-ea of aeliVily Didring the consultation (flits .broaded sense) and to ffie generM orocese it has become Clear that bublic Sob-PAM:Mated computer models envdronmental mailers are assuming an based on a inmdamental dndersta_nding of inoreaMng Mnportance, with freshwater all the important factors controlling dlgal issues at Me centre of mans-rot the gisaw-th, have (liven the Mc, an international did:II-scions, In Lids Context I hope tb see a lead in this dea of science, Application of high profile for freshWater science When this technology to 'problem' waters allows the final reports are published. the identficaton cif the most suitable and costseffectve masagernent option. The Focusing more closely to home, the recent incorporation of a venical, announcement ef the appointment of Prof statiff cation component to the model now JelinKrebs as the haw Chief Executive of ektends the fang-a of application from fully NERO. Was made in January 1994 Prof Mixed systems to deep, stratified water Kreb's rest acturirm programme for NERC bodies. Moreover, application of these includes the establishment of the Centre process:- based models has changed ,PUr for Ecology and Hydrology (CM), fundamental understanding and' thereby promoting eyen eloper apprediation of the importance of miLdent collaboration between its cOmponent recycling processes, oartioularly - Ins-Motes (lit ITt TB and NEW Prof shallow, vieli-mixed likes. ci or Alan. Pickedog Brian_ Willdoson ,as [solingDirector of slating Director is,oyetseeing the development of II'S Theinflikenceof changes in weather • 'science programthe„ struSture patterns on algal prodirOtivity in freshwater As Acting Director of tne instjtute of adininistration Within the Inslitute of systems can be detected and, ultimately, Freshwater Ecology, this is my first Freshwater Ecolooy, Prof John Hilton has Modelled over iimeshales varying from opportunity to review our achievements been appointed as Head of the Regional hours (eg the ishotosynthetO activity of OVer the pad year and fo look forwarat Laboratories (River Laboratory, Easterri ohytoplankton in Esthwaita Water) to the future: However, to be given this Rivers Laiporatory, Edinburgh LaboratorY) decades (diatom r;edirnentation in opportunity at a time of major channecm JobaSs exoerciSe add experience in Windermere, the phytoplankon the way in ssihirM UK science is strategic research, combined with his SuCcession in irodh Levels), Such long- administered and foridedinci:easesthe knowledge of Use water industry, will Senn-data sets are an in,valuable resource, challenga Indeed,,dming my 25 years eay strengthen the HE management not only for ffie WE, but dao for UK science with the FFE and the FBA, I cannot recall team and ensure a full' y listegrated in general. The,recent discovery that another pehod of such fundamental research prograrmne across the Mstitnte, long-teliti, cyclical changes Lii roopiankton chan.ges populations in the English-Lake DiStribt are Against:this background of chancre, it is paralleled by changes in rOad-r.;ide Following. on dolt the Government's important to -recognise that onebf the vegetation in Oxfordshire (Mulct be seen to White Paper 'ReatisMg our Potential'', stengths of Instinde science is -the ability be nothing but all odd coMmidance were it -published in May 1993, in which the to put tbaether multdisciplimmy teams for not fq -the fact that both observations also Reseamh Councils were restructured and the pi:lipase of undertaking long-term cerrelate well with cyglical fluctuations in given riew mission statements, •the Office environMental research, In thiS Way, the the latitude of the Gulf Stream! Long- term of Public Service and Science Efficiency Instituteocoopies a unique role and one data set8 in the fields of limnology, Unit's mulUdepartmental scrutiny of 53 which cannot be adequately undertaken terrestrial ecology„oceamography an ptfoho sector reSearch establishments was by other organisations, However, to make meteorologyare now helping us to rnitiated in late 1993 At the Ulric of writina important scientific advances in this area understand mnd predict 119,1V the oceall this- inoduction, the Unit s report has of reSeat att requir es a stability of Structure Currents cad via changes:in:regional been pubhshed but we are stiff in a and funding, a point that must be Weather patternshave important Knpacts 'consultation phasewith regard to Me recognised by the 'user' communist. With on terrestrial and freshwater ecoSystelms options put forward for the future sdooture such considerations in nund t is- my Lndeed, lakes are pdhcularlyresponsite