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Qualitative and quantitative differences in benthic macrozoobenthos distribution in carp pond littoral zones (macrophyte areas; LM) and pelagic zones (macrophyte-free areas; MF) were assessed in four commercial carp (Cyprinus carpio) grow-out ponds in the Czech Republic (semi-intensive management) and Austria (organic management) monthly over the growing season (June-September) of 2016 and 2017. While differences in environmental parameters and granulometric composition between LM and MF were statistically non-significant (p > 0.05), organic matter content was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in LM. Average macrozoobenthos density and biomass in LM (mean 431 ind.m−2 and 6.78 g.m−2) was usually significantly higher (p > 0.05) than MF (371 ind.m−2 and 3.17 g.m−2). A similar trend was observed for zoobenthos diversity, with LM having a higher diversity (76 taxa) than MF (47 taxa). At the start of the growing season, chironomid density was higher (p < 0.05) in muddy MF zones, regardless of management type, while oligochaete density was higher in muddy LM. The density of both groups later declined, such that density was significantly higher (p > 0.05) in sandy substrates, regardless of habitat or management type. Our data suggest a significant drop in macrozoobenthos density and biomass compared with historical data, mainly due to new management techniques (fertilisation, supplementary feeding) and intensification (higher stock densities), suggesting that pond management is crucial as regards benthic invertebrate development and diversity. Our results indicate that emersed LM beds positively influence macrozoobenthos performance in carp ponds, potentially making them biodiversity hotspots. Further, LM beds can be regarded as invertebrate harbours, and hence should be protected and encouraged.

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Invasive fish threaten ponds' ecological status and their ecosystem services, therefore obtaining a representative sample of fish community composition is fundamental to fishery management, research and nature conservation. Estimates of the size distribution, density and biomass of the topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) model species of invasive fish in three ponds were compared among three sampling methods: electrofishing, fish‐trapping and throw‐netting. The study illustrates that the invasive fish, P. parva, can be detected by all tested fishing methods, yet our results clearly showed that there are pronounced differences among methods in population characteristic estimates. Electrofishing and throw‐netting gave biased information on the size distribution of P. parva. Fish‐trapping and throw‐netting gave reasonable P. parva density and biomass estimates, while electrofishing clearly underestimated it. All tested methods showed a body size increment of P. parva between summer and autumn sampling sessions, yet neither throw‐netting nor electrofishing recorded an increment in its density. Our study showed that fish‐trapping is the most reliable and affordable method to estimate invasive P. parva population characteristics in ponds despite more time‐demanding sampling. The success depends on the mesh size of sampling gear, operator skill and habitat structure. The cost‐effectiveness of the selected methods and the importance of invasive fish monitoring in ponds is discussed. The sampling gear must be considered carefully according to the aim of the monitoring.