Epiphytic diatoms in lotic and lentic waters - diversity and representation of species complexes

Abstract

Small streams and shallow ponds represent sensitive ecosystems and attached diatoms can serve as integrative indicator with fast response to environmental changes. Development of methods for ecological monitoring throughout Europe and their calibration for particular ecoregions are not finished yet and databases need to be filled by data from undersampled regions and overlooked substrates. The present study aims to explore the diversity of epiphytic diatoms in unexplored catchment areas with special attention to substrate specificity and distribution of unresolved diatom species complexes. Significant differences were found in diversity of both regions and water types (lotic/lentic). No significant differences were found in the case of substrates. CCA analysis showed significant influence of pH, water streaming (streaming/stagnant) and Lemna substrate to species composition. Surprisingly species complexes represent the majority of epiphytic assemblages with no significant differences between lotic and lentic waters or substrates except of Lemna. The high representation of complexes does not lead automatically to reduction of overall diversity of the sample.

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

“…It is generally stated that there is a relationship between epiphytic algae and environmental variables, and submerged macrophytes have been recommended for routine monitoring [67]. We found a significant relationship with selected environmental variables in congruence with other studies [13,52]. Increased numbers of submerged macrophytes and increased length resulted in overshadowing, which may have suppressed the development of some species.…”

“…In the present study, high turbidity, extensive spreading by phytoplankton, and macrophytes (which compete with periphyton for nutrients and light during summer months) may have restricted the growth of the epiphytic algae [60]. Biodiversity was previously reported to be positively correlated with high-quality water [52]. Although physico-chemical dynamics and competition affect species diversity, other factors, such as interactions of bacteria, protozoa and grazers, in addition to physical disturbances as a result of human activities, should also be considered [61].…”

“…These conditions produce a suitable environment for the development of diatoms [50]. Compared to environmental variables, attached diatoms appear to be more supplementary indicators that respond rapidly to environmental changes [51][52]. In Gala, in terms of the number of taxa, abundance, and biovolume, diatoms were the dominant group of epiphytic algae.…”

Microhabitat patterns of soft-bodied benthic algae in a lowland river largely fed by groundwater

“…This is especially true for the soft-bodied benthic algae of rivers, for which the relative importance of environmental factors in microhabitat structuring of their communities is yet largely missing (schneider et al 2013; rott & schneider 2014). In this regard, a robust scientific literature is available only for diatoms (passy 2007;Kollár et al 2015). Besides, given the central role assigned to the primary producer communities in the ecological assessment of aquatic ecosystems, these knowledge gaps can affect very negatively the quality evaluation of water bodies that is frequently done with limited sampling effort (laini et al 2014).…”

Effects of Water Quality Adjusted by Submerged Macrophytes on the Richness of the Epiphytic Algal Community

“…The water quality was improving, which usually manifested as high transparency, low nutrient concentrations and high biodiversity in a shallow ecosystem (Karr and Dudley, 1981; Gandhi, 2012; Cao et al, 2018). The diversity of epiphytic algae was positively correlated with water with high transparency and few suspended solids (Kollar et al, 2015). Increased radiation and spectrum would support a more heterogeneous environment for the epiphytic algal community that would accommodate more species of epiphytic algae (Algarte et al, 2017).…”