Is Nuphar lutea (L.) Sm. a structuring factor for macrozoobenthos and selected abiotic parameters of water and bottom sediments throughout the year?

Abstract

Studies on the role of nymphaeids in water bodies are uncommon, despite the fact that they often dominate in eutrophic lakes. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the effect of a nymphaeid Nuphar lutea on its environment. We hypothesised that its presence can increase the diversity and abundance of zoobenthos, as well as modify selected abiotic parameters, both during the growing season (in the presence of leaves) and outside it (with underground structures only). Three pairs of stations (within and outside Nuphar stands) were established in two shallow, eutrophic lakes and sampled monthly during an entire year. Zoobenthos taxon richness, biodiversity and total density were higher among nymphaeids throughout the year. On the other hand, total zoobenthos biomass was not affected by the presence of plants. Most macroinvertebrates reached higher densities within Nuphar stands, the most abundant being Polypedilum nubeculosum, Potamothrix bavaricus, Ephemeroptera and Ceratopogonidae.In turn, Potamothrix hammoniensis, Chaoborus sp. and Tanypus sp. were more abundant outside the stands. Other taxa, including the dominants (Chironomus sp., Procladius spp., Einfeldia dissidens, Valvata piscinalis), were not affected by the presence of Nuphar. Nuphar did not influence water temperature, oxygen concentration, and conductivity, though sediments within the stands exhibited lower water content and higher proportion of large organic particles. Thus, Nuphar effect on macroinvertebrates was probably direct, through increased habitat heterogeneity, physical stability of substratum and food availability. Our study has shown that nymphaeids, despite their structural distinctness, can affect positively bottom fauna similarly to other morphological groups of plants.

The structure of the littoral: effects of waterlily density and perch predation on sediment and plant‐associated macroinvertebrate communities

“…Fourthly, we hypothesised that greater provision of macrophyte biomass would result in greater numbers and biomass of sedimentary benthic invertebrates through greater supply of organic matter to the bottom, as suggested in other studies (Brock & van der Velde, ; Żbikowski et al ., ). This was not supported.…”

“…Macroinvertebrates in habitats colonised by water lilies have been seldom studied, and generally in separate studies of the sedimentary benthos (Kornijów & Moss, ; Żbikowski, Kobak & Żbikowska, ) or epiphyton associated with plant surfaces (McGaha, ; Brock & van der Velde, ; Dvorak, ; Cronin, Wissing & Lodge, ; Kornijów & Ścibior, ; Nurminen et al ., ; Da Silva, Albertoni & Palma‐Siva, ). The role of fish in structuring the sedimentary benthos and plant‐associated communities together has been rarely examined (Schramm & Jirka, ; Kornijów et al ., ), compared with work on combined grab samples and on the plankton.…”

Plant traits and environment: floating leaf blade production and turnover of waterlilies

“…In the littoral zonation waterlilies grow often in between submerged macrophytes and helophytes, but the number of studies are few compared to those of the latter two groups. However, in shallow freshwater lakes, waterlilies can cover large areas (e.g., Brock, Van der Velde & Van de Steeg, 1987 ; Zbikowski, Kobak & Zbikowska, 2010 ), where submerged plants disappeared by accumulation of organic matter on the sediment during succession, eutrophication and acidification ( Arts et al, 1990 ; Wiik et al, 2015 ). Waterlilies are adapted to such conditions ( Dacey & Klug, 1979 ; Dacey, 1980 ; Dacey, 1981 ; Smits et al, 1990 ).…”

Leeches (Clitellata: Hirudinida) of an upland stream: taxonomic composition in relation to habitat conditions

“…This section and the upper part of the stream were surrounded by meadows and were characterized by abundant littoral and aquatic vegetation. This corresponds to the pattern described in the literature on macrofauna in general (Moss, Timms 1989;Żbikowski et al 2010;Spyra 2011) and leeches in particular (Kubova et al 2013). Among others, this can be caused by the insolation level; a higher density of macroinvertebrates can be observed in insolated habitats as compared to overshadowed areas (Spyra 2011).…”