Abstract
The present work correspond to a geographical and limnological characterization dealing with a coastal five-lake system located at the eastern piedmont of the Nahuelbuta mountain range (VIII Region, Chile) named "Lagos Nabuelbutanos" (Laguna Grande de San Pedro, Laguna Chica de San Pedro, Laguna Quillenco, Lago Lanalhue y Lago Lleulleu). The lakes show several levels of human intervention, mainly due to tourist and recreational uses, urban influence, and forestal intensive use in their hydrographic basins. The performed studies comprise the geomorphology and origin of the lakes, historical and current soil use, characterization and evolution of the plant coverage, morphometry and bathymetry, sedimentological and paleolimnological characteristics, water quality and aquatic biota (i.e., phytoplankton, benthos, and ichthyic fauna, as well as some topics associated with the water column metabolism. A comparative environmental and limnological analysis was performed, in relation to the current trophic conditions of these systems. The results show differences in trophic state, being Lago Lleulleu the most oligotrophic, and Laguna Grande de San Pedro the most eutrophic. In general, the trophic degree and water quality of these water bodies are related with biological indicators and with the level of intervention to which their drainage basins have been subjected.
| Translated title of the contribution | Trophic trends and characterization of five coastal lakes in Central Chile |
|---|---|
| Original language | Spanish |
| Pages (from-to) | 51-83 |
| Number of pages | 33 |
| Journal | Limnetica |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 1-2 |
| State | Published - 2003 |
| Externally published | Yes |