Subfossil faunal and floral remains (Cladocera, Pediastrum) in two northern Lobelia lakes in Finland

The analysis of lake sediment cores have been long used as historical integrators of environmental changes. Nutrient poor isoetid lakes remain under studied in the north boreal region. Hence, the bottom sediments of two north boreal Lobelia lakes, located in NE Finland were analysed for the presence of Cladocera and Pediastrum remains. Sediment cores from the littoral zones were sampled, sectioned every centimetre and aged with 210Pb. The number of taxa of both Cladocera and Pediastrum identified in the cores was high, while the number of individuals in each taxon was low. In Lake Kevojärvi, twenty five Cladocera species and eight Pediastrum species were found. Along with widely distributed species, typical for north boreal regions, species preferring more temperate environments occurred. In Lake Petäjälampi, the species composition was similar. Twenty one Cladocera species and five Pediastrum species occurred there, however with a lower frequency of individuals in each taxon. In both Lobelia lakes, analyses of subfossil Cladocera and Pediastrum remains, from the sediments deposited within the last 30–40 years indicated a recent increase in trophic status