River habitat and macrophyte surveys in the high Tatra mountains of Slovakia and Poland. Results from 2010 (original) (raw)
Related papers
Environmental effects on species richness of macrophytes in Slovak streams
2012
The effect of 19 environmental variables on species richness of macrophytes was studied in 39 Slovak streams. The studied streams were poor in species; in total, 88 macrophyte taxa were found and the average number of macrophytes per sampling site was 4, ranging from 0 to15. The most frequently occurring macrophytes were filamentous algae (occurrence at 38.6% of sampling sites), followed by Rhynchostegium riparioides (28.4%) and Phalaris arundinacea (19.3%). The strongest environmental gradient in the sampling site detected by factor analysis (factor 1 explains more than 32% variability) is related to the portion of artificial banks, shading by woody vegetation along banks, flexuosity of stream course and the portion of natural land cover in the contact zone of the stream, and can be interpreted as a natural-anthropogenic gradient. The following variables had the highest correlations with species richness of macrophytes: shading by woody vegetation (r=-0.507), portions of artificial bank (r=0.488), flexuosity (r=-0.457) and distance from stream source (r=0.388).
LiMNoLogy of StreaMS iN the PoLoNiNy NatioNaL Park (the eaSt CarPathiaNS, SLovakia)
Technical University in Zvolen, 2007
Structure of hydrocoenoses of the streams in the Poloniny National Park were studied during the years 1999 and 2000. Composition of epilithic diatom communities, microzoobenthos, interstitial communities, all the main groups of macrozoobenthos (permanent fauna, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Diptera) and basic hydrological, abiotic (water chemistry) and biotic (organic matter) factors were studied within two model streams during two years sampling procedure in order to compare hydrocoenoses of streams with different catchment management. We have compared a near pristine East Carpathian stream with a nearby-situated stream with similar stream channel characteristics, but heavily logged catchment. Spatial and temporal differences in food supply, overall species density and taxonomic richness and communities composition were assessed. Temporal changes in FPOM, UFPOM and chlorophyll-a were documented (RM MANOVA; p < 0.05). However, we did not record any spatial differences between corresponding sampling sites of compared streams. Species richness and density of macroinvertebrate communities did not appear to vary spatially or temporally. Nevertheless, some differences have been recorded within species composition of sensitive groups of macroinvertebrates (e.g. stoneflies). Our study did not support expected dramatic effect of silvicultural practices and post logging changes in catchment. Basic faunistic-ecological investigation of particular groups of stream dwelling organisms was performed at some other streams of the Poloniny National Park. Depending on the sampling design at these streams, data on longitudinal distribution, community composition similarity and ecological notes to particular groups of organisms are presented.
Limnology of the Turiec river basin (West Carpathians, Slovakia)
Biologia
Structure of hydrocoenoses of the streams in the Poloniny National Park were studied during the years 1999 and 2000. Composition of epilithic diatom communities, microzoobenthos, interstitial communities, all the main groups of macrozoobenthos (permanent fauna, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Diptera) and basic hydrological, abiotic (water chemistry) and biotic (organic matter) factors were studied within two model streams during two years sampling procedure in order to compare hydrocoenoses of streams with different catchment management. We have compared a near pristine East Carpathian stream with a nearby-situated stream with similar stream channel characteristics, but heavily logged catchment. Spatial and temporal differences in food supply, overall species density and taxonomic richness and communities composition were assessed. Temporal changes in FPOM, UFPOM and chlorophyll-a were documented (RM MANOVA; p < 0.05). However, we did not record any spatial differences between corresponding sampling sites of compared streams. Species richness and density of macroinvertebrate communities did not appear to vary spatially or temporally. Nevertheless, some differences have been recorded within species composition of sensitive groups of macroinvertebrates (e.g. stoneflies). Our study did not support expected dramatic effect of silvicultural practices and post logging changes in catchment. Basic faunistic-ecological investigation of particular groups of stream dwelling organisms was performed at some other streams of the Poloniny National Park. Depending on the sampling design at these streams, data on longitudinal distribution, community composition similarity and ecological notes to particular groups of organisms are presented.
Natural variation of macrophyte vegetation of lowland streams at the regional level
Limnologica, 2015
In the present study, we present a synopsis of two macrophyte surveys of physiographic units in northwest Germany carried out over one decade. Data were used to test a set of hypotheses on macrophyte distribution at the regional level. Rank-frequency curves resembled the broken stick model. Twentyone species of the 59 most frequent species occurred at high frequencies above 15%. Helophytes made up a high percentage (12 of 21) of the frequent species. Phalaris arundinacea was the most frequent species in both sampling periods. Most species showed no considerable change in frequency over time, among them the core hydrophytes. Spatial variation of species frequencies among physiographical units showed a unimodal distribution in relation to frequency. Spatial variation of frequencies of functional groups was significantly lower. Most uneven distribution among physiographical units was found in cryptogams. DCA ordinations of physiographical units showed a spatial gradient from alluvial plains to higher grounds units, which remained constant over time. CCA ordination of physiographical units in relation to environmental parameters identified two main axes, an altitudinal gradient and an alkalinity gradient. Species composition of units corresponded to the main landscape pattern of alluvial plains, glacial lowlands, and higher grounds on Mesozoic rock. Species diversity showed a complex behavior. Diverse units were found both in alluvial plains and glacial lowlands of intermediate elevation. The study may help defining regionally differentiated reference states for stream management, benchmarking indicator scores of species and avoiding application of assessment methods outside their range of applicability.
2009
Aquatic macrophytes are essential ecological components wherever they occur in water bodies. Spatial, but above all temporal changes are typical of macrophyte vegetation in running waters. these processes are much more dynamic than in the case of terrestrial vegetation and influence the diversity, abundance, structure, and distribution of macrophytes. changes are effected by various factors, but environmental influences (mainly artificial in cultivated landscapes) are extremely important. running waters are very dynamic ecosystems, and river hydrology, morphology, nutrient status, disturbances, and pollution are often varying factors that strongly affect aquatic macrophytes (Janauer and dokulil, 2006; Lacoul and Freedman, 2006). In addition to these changes, various biological interactions (e.g., competition) can be important as well. In central Europe, temporal changes of macrophyte species and vegetation in running waters have been studied by many authors (