Diatoms in springs of the Alps: spring types, environmental determinants, and substratum

Cantonati, Marco; Angeli, Nicola; Bertuzzi, E.; Spitale, Daniel; Lange‐Bertalot, Horst

doi:10.1899/11-065.1

Cited by 94 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Although comparisons of species numbers are always hampered by differences in methodology and adherence to counts of a few hundred valves leads to severe truncation of diatom inventories to more abundant taxa (see also Gerecke et al 2011), the differences in richness seem genuine, taxonomic resolution also offering only a partial explanation. Strong heterogeneity of spring assemblages is well established (Bertrand et al 1999;Cantonati et al 2012b) and the very low frequency of a large majority of all taxa leaves little doubt that γ diversity of carbonate-precipitating springs in Flanders is far from accounted completely. The present observations were restricted to a single substrate type and occasion and therefore neglected much of the heterogeneity in local habitat conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diatom assemblages of non-living substrates in petrifying Cratoneurion springs from lower Belgium

Denys¹,

Oosterlynck²

2015

Fottea

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Diatom assemblages were examined from non-living substrates in thirteen springs supporting the Natura 2000 habitat type 'Petryfing springs with tufa formation' in the southern part of Flanders. More than 300 taxa were recorded, including some which appear to be particularly associated with this kind of environment. Even though a number of characteristic taxa and diatoms characterizing fast-flowing springs of more elevated terrain remained absent, local species richness was higher than reported from carbonate springs elsewhere in Europe. Relative abundance of 'Red List' taxa was, however, substantially lower. Taxon richness was not related to measured nutrients but increased with diatom-inferred trophic status. Assemblages consisted mainly of motile, small-celled species of Achnanthidium, Amphora, Caloneis, Planothidium and Stauroneis. Hygropetric rheocrenes presented a somewhat more distinct assemblage than helocrene and rheohelocrene settings, but overall, compositional metrics were similar among spring types. Assemblages were structured mainly along gradients of pH, major ions (in particular magnesium and potassium) and nitrate relating to calcite precipitation, aquifer and nitrogen supply. Besides substantiating broad similarities among Cratoneurion springs, the results provide arguments for a regionalized approach towards assessment of their diversity, community structure and conservation status.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diatom assemblages of non-living substrates in petrifying Cratoneurion springs from lower Belgium

Denys¹,

Oosterlynck²

2015

Fottea

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“…Studies on microorganisms mainly deal with photosynthetic organisms like diatoms or microalgae [10,11]. Spitale et al, in 2012 [12], carried out an extensive study on spring biota in an adjacent region.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and temporal variability of bacterial communities in high alpine water spring sediments

Esposito

Engel

Ciccazzo

et al. 2016

Research in Microbiology

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Water springs are complex, fragile and taxa-rich environments, especially in highly dynamic ecosystems such as glacier forefields experiencing glacier retreat. Bacterial communities are important actors in alpine water body metabolism, and have shown both high seasonal and spatial variations. Seven springs from a high alpine valley (Matsch Valley, South Tyrol, Italy) were examined via a multidisciplinary approach using both hydrochemical and microbiological techniques. Amplified ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) and electric conductivity (EC) measurements, as well as elemental composition and water stable isotopic analyses, were performed. Our target was to elucidate whether and how bacterial community structure is influenced by water chemistry, and to determine the origin and extent of variation in space and time. There existed variations in both space and time for all variables measured. Diversity values more markedly differed at the beginning of summer and then at the end; the extent of variation in space was prevalent over the time scale. Bacterial community structural variation responded to hydrochemical parameter changes; moreover, the stability of the hydrochemical parameters played an important role in shaping distinctive bacterial communities.

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“…The compositions of algae living on different macrophytes can vary considerably [56][57]. Our findings indicated that light conditions followed by substrate instability due to wave actions appear to be the main drivers of spatial and temporal variations of epipelon.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…Thus, numbers of green algae may be increased in interstem water, resulting in higher values of chlorophyll-a [49]. Representatives of this algal group are commonly unattached (e.g., due to waves) [56]. As a result, chlorophyte numbers may increase in the water between macrophyte stems [50].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community Structure, Temporal and Spatial Changes of Epiphytic Algae on Three Different Submerged Macrophytes in a Shallow Lake

Öterler¹

2017

Pol. J. Environ. Stud.

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Diatoms in springs of the Alps: spring types, environmental determinants, and substratum

Cited by 94 publications

References 53 publications

Diatom assemblages of non-living substrates in petrifying Cratoneurion springs from lower Belgium

Diatom assemblages of non-living substrates in petrifying Cratoneurion springs from lower Belgium

Spatial and temporal variability of bacterial communities in high alpine water spring sediments

Community Structure, Temporal and Spatial Changes of Epiphytic Algae on Three Different Submerged Macrophytes in a Shallow Lake

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