Impact of anthropogenic transformations on the vegetation of selected abiotic types of rivers in two ecoregions (Southern Poland)

Abstract

The quality of water in rivers is declining worldwide due to anthropogenic activities. This phenomenon may be exacerbated by climate change and population growth. We hypothesised that both physical and chemical parameters of water, which reflect the differences in the underlying geology and anthropogenic transformations, are the most important characteristics to explain the distribution of macrophytes in rivers. In the present study, we analysed the effect of anthropogenic transformation on the structure of macrophytes in eight rivers within the river basins of the Vistula and Oder Rivers (Southern Poland). A canonical correspondence analysis showed that conductivity, altitude, natural features of rivers and adjacent land use, which are indicated by the values of the Hydromorphological Diversity Index (WRH), and medium sand were the most important factors that affected the distribution of macrophytes. The eurytopic species, including invasive alien species, were negatively correlated with the WRH index and positively correlated with high conductivity. An increase in the conductivity led to a loss of vegetation diversity and caused the replacement of freshwater species with brackish or salt-resistant species. Salinity of 2.96–5.16 PSU decreased the number of macrophyte taxa by over 30% in the rivers as compared to salinity of 0.45–0.64 PSU. Because very few studies have investigated the effect of salinity on macrophytes, further research is needed to explain this phenomenon. We therefore suggest extensive use of hydromorphological indices in studies on the distribution of macrophytes in rivers.

Macrophyte communities as indicators of the ecological status of drainage canals and regulated rivers (Eastern Poland)

“…, 2010 ) as well in lowland rivers and ditches of southern England (Riley et al, 2018 ; Williams et al, 2004 ). More macrophyte species have been observed in lowland streams in north-western Europe (Baatrup-Pedersen et al, 2006 ; Halabowski & Lewin, 2020 ). In general, the diversity of macrophyte communities in natural and modified watercourses is the result of the synergistic effect of environmental and anthropogenic factors.…”

Long-Term Changes in Macrophyte Distribution and Abundance in a Lowland River

“…Hrivnak et al [ 47 ] report that macrophyte community composition in Slovak streams is affected by sediment type, riparian vegetation due to shade of woody vegetation, water depth, NO 2 level and pH. Halabowski and Lewin [ 20 ] showed that conductivity, altitude, land use adjacent to the rivers, and the proportion of sand were the most important factors that affected the distribution of macrophytes in rivers in southern Poland. However, Lewin and Szoszkiewicz [ 13 ] showed that non-nutrient parameters play an important role in determining macrophyte presence even in rivers with a relatively high input of nutrients.…”

“…Their role is especially important in lowland watercourses since they increase the variability of habitats and physical conditions in a river [ 18 ]. In watercourses flowing through an agricultural landscape, macrophyte assemblages are well developed since these watercourses usually have poorly developed riparian zones and high input of nutrients [ 19 , 20 ].…”

The influence of Urbanisation on Phytodiversity and some edaphic properties in urban and peri-urban riverine fresh water wetlands of Bamenda Municipality

“…From the oristic study, semi aquatic and marshland plant species in the wetlands were mainly herbaceous and shrubby and showed discoloration in patches throughout the wetland. According to Tsala et al, (1993) and Halabowski et al, (2020), the presence of metal pollutants in wastewater and other anthropogenic in uences constitute a stress factor for plants through their toxic effects on the photosynthetic process and membrane function. The decolouration of vegetation in this wetland could therefore be allied to excessive chemical elements from anthropogenic activities.…”