Algae as co-creators of their own environment [in Czech]

Story of plankton seasonal course in small pond priest pot in NW England is taken as an example of self-structuration of vertically stratified lake ecosystem. From spring to the end of summer, the stratification enhances, species diversity increases. Rather than competition for existing niches, niches are co-created by organisms themselves - by changing their micro - environment. Positive feedback: more complex structure - more niches - higher biodiversity - more complex structure is evident. So-called a-biotic gradients in vertical water column are produced and maintained by permanent life activity of organisms.