An ecological and hydrochemical study of three springs in NE Iran with the emphasis on diatom diversity

Springs are complex and taxa rich ecosystems. Diatom assemblages have received very little attention in spring ecosystems in Iran; hence, the diatom assemblage in three selected springs in northeast Iran, were investigated using multivariate analysis together with hydro chemical measures. For this purpose, water and diatom samples collected during four seasons of 2019. Hydrochemistry results revealed that water-rock interaction is the most important factor in changing the water chemistry of studied springs and their waters produced from carbonate reservoir rocks (mainly calcite). As a result, Ca-HCO₃ is predominate water type in all three springs. In this study, 75 diatom taxa identified, from which 55 were included in the analysis. Cluster analysis based on diatoms relative abundance, clustered samples in two major groups and third small group. Results of the indicator species analysis for groups and DCA analysis were in the absolute conformity. Results revealed that the diatom assemblage dominated by combination of early colonizer taxa, spring indicator taxa and cosmopolitan taxa; most of them also reported from different spring types. The results also showed that the spring’s diatom composition influence by size and morphology of the springs.     

Spatio-temporal changes of marine macrobenthic community in sub-tropical waters upon recovery from eutrophication. II. Life-history traits and feeding guilds of polychaete community

A two-year study was conducted in the vicinity of a harbour in sub-tropical Hong Kong, to examine the progress of recovery of macrobenthic community, based on analyses of both life-history traits and trophic guilds of polychaetes, upon cessation of organic pollution caused by sewage discharge. Seventy seven out of 83 species collected were classified under four ecological groups based on the life-history traits and sensitivity to organic gradients. The mean ATZI marine biotic index (AMBI) derived from these ecological groups showed spatial difference among the five sampling locations. In particular, the presence of different percentages of polychaete species from Groups III (unbalanced community) and IV (polluted community) suggested the presence of pollution stress in certain degree at all sampling locations. However, no significant temporal changes were noted over the study period. From all polychaete species identified, they were classified into 13 feeding guilds. The mean diversity of these feeding guilds at most of the sampling locations was significantly higher than that at one of the inside-harbour locations. The composition of feeding guilds was also significantly different spatially. At one of the inside-harbour locations, the dominant feeding guilds were motile/discretely motile surface deposit feeders with tentaculates or unarmed pharynx, and motile omnivores with jawed pharynx in the first year of study, but were replaced by motile, jawed carnivores in the second year of study. The increased proportion of carnivores over the study period can be seen as a sign of recovery in the community structure since abundance of predators is commonly higher in habitats with better environmental quality. The implications of using life-history traits and feeding guild analyses for benthic community are discussed.     

广西武鸣盆地岩溶泉口浮游生物群落对水环境变化的响应

近年来我国西南岩溶地区一些岩溶泉出现水生生态系统由草型向藻型转变的问题,但水化学监测却显示泉水水质依旧良好.岩溶泉的水质变化与水生生态系统退化不同步,故探寻岩溶泉水环境的变化以及浮游生物群落的响应,对全面掌握和客观评价泉水的健康状况具有重要意义.于2016年7月、2020年7月两个时期对广西武鸣盆地内4个岩溶泉进行了浮...     

Small-scale patterns of meiofauna in a bryophyte covered tufa barrier (Plitvice Lakes,Croatia)

Meiobenthic fauna is complex and essential part of the stream benthos and it is known as intermediaries from bacteria to higher trophic levels. However, the dynamics and mechanisms regulating this community at small-scale largely have been neglected. This study was carried out to determine meiofaunal dynamics in a small scale-patterns influenced by flow velocity and other abiotic and biotic factors. We examined meiofauna within bryophytes on a tufa barrier in Plitvice Lakes National Park using a detailed taxonomic approach of various meiofaunal groups and their feeding guilds. We choose three microhabitats (slow, medium, fast) differing significantly in flow velocity above bryophytes. Bdelloid rotifers were the most abundant group in microhabitat with highest flow velocity, while in other two microhabitats nematodes and monogonont rotifers prevailed in abundance. Data on environmental variables and main meiofaunal taxa and feeding guilds were analyzed using redundancy analysis. This analysis indicated that microfilter feeding guild (e.g. bdelloid rotifers) was strongly affected by interaction of flow velocity and POM fractions. Other feeding guilds were influenced by temperature, oxygen and/or pH and did not prefer high flow velocity. Suction-feeder nematodes and microfilter-feeder rotifers were dominant on temporal and spatial scale, indicating their good adaptations on frequently disturbed conditions that prevailed on bryophyte covered tufa barrier. Our results provide comprehensive survey of diversity, density as well as trophic structure of meiofauna in aquatic bryophytes. Differences in meiofaunal composition and density between three microhabitats suggest that the meiofauna is relevant indicator of environmental changes even at small-scale pattern.     

Benthic foraminiferal assemblages from Moreton Bay, South-East Queensland, Australia: Applications in monitoring water and substrate quality in subtropical estuarine environments

We assess species composition, assemblage structure and distribution of the benthic foraminiferal assemblages from diverse substrates in Moreton Bay, South-East Queensland, Australia. Analysis of 47 surface sediment samples revealed 69 species, three distinct foraminiferal assemblages and six sub-assemblages. The assemblages from the western Bay are characterized by stress tolerant taxa and the lowest diversity, whereas the assemblages from the eastern Bay are characterized by symbiont-bearing taxa and high diversity. We found a correlation between foraminiferal assemblages and substrate conditions that was indicative of strong environmental gradients (substrate type, water quality and salinity), from an urban-impacted assemblage in the westernmost part of the Bay, to a hyposaline, estuarine-influenced assemblage in the western Bay to a nearly normal marine to hypersaline assemblage in the eastern Bay. The FORAM Index was consistent with the changes in water and sediment quality gradient, from the western shoreline to the eastern Bay. Thus the foraminiferal assemblages of Moreton Bay make excellent bio-indicators of environmental changes in a subtropical, estuarine setting in eastern Australia.     

Perennial phenology patterns and ecological traits of Dixidae (Insecta,Diptera) in lotic habitats of a barrage lake system

Dixidae (Insecta, Diptera) are an interesting ecological component in freshwater ecosystems. They are merolimnic insects with larvae and pupae living in aquatic habitats while adults live in terrestrial habitats in close proximity to water. The goals of this study were to determine the phenology patterns of Dixidae and what influences them, to analyse their preference for microhabitats, and to determine the main ecological factors that have an influence on the composition of Dixidae. Adult Dixidae were collected monthly in the period from 2007 to 2008 at 10 sites, from 2009 to 2010 at four sites, and from 2011 to 2014 at three sites in the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Adult specimens were collected using pyramid-type emergence traps. A total of 1271 Dixidae were collected during eight years of study belonging to five species of the genus Dixa. Dixa submaculata was most abundant species at the spring and upper reach of Bijela rijeka Stream and the upper reach of Crna rijeka Stream. Dixa nebulosa was most numerous at the Kozjak-Milanovac tufa barrier site. Dixa puberula was the dominant species at the rest of the sites. Dixa puberula and Dixa submaculata were univoltine, bivoltine or trivoltine, depending on the site, while Dixa nebulosa was only univoltine. The highest diversity was recorded at the tufa barrier Kozjak-Milanovac, and the highest number of species, four species, was found at the upper reach of the Crna rijeka Stream. The greatest number of specimens was recorded at the Labudovac tufa barrier, 128 specimens in 2014. Water temperature is the main ecological factor that influences the phenology of Dixidae at the tufa barriers and lower streams. Discharge affected the abundance of Dixidae. Dixa puberula prefers moss as a substrate and a faster water velocity.     

Infaunal Assemblages on Constructed Intertidal Mudflats at Jonesport, Maine (USA)

Dredged materials have been used to construct two mudflats near Jonesport, Maine (USA). A flat at Sheep Island was constructed in 1989 and along with an adjacent reference area (REF) has been monitored for infaunal assemblage development and sediment texture since 1990. The second site, Beals Island, an example of a much older constructed flat (CF), has been monitored since 1991. Infaunal taxa richness, total numerical abundance, species composition, and diversity values were similar between the Sheep Island natural and constructed sites within two years of construction. At Beals Island, taxa richness and other diversity measures were similar between sites, however, abundance and total biomass values were lower at the constructed site. Although total biomass was also lower at the Sheep Island CF than its REF, biomass values at both constructed sites (Sheep Island and Beals Island) were within the range of values previously reported for natural flats.     

太湖流域河流鱼类群落的时空分布

确定河流鱼类群落的时空分布格局及其形成机制是开展鱼类物种多样性保护与管理的科学基础.基于2013年10月和2014年5月共2次对太湖流域57个河道样点的调查数据,初步研究太湖流域河流鱼类群落结构及其多样性的季节动态和空间分布特点.共采集鱼类5051尾,计46种,其中鲤科鱼类26种,占全部物种数的57%.10月份的鱼类多样性显著高于5月份,且2个季度的鱼类群落结构存在显著性差异.5个主要水系间的鱼类多样性差异显著,总体上,沿江水系和洮滆水系鱼类多样性较低,黄浦江水系居中,而南河水系和苕溪水系较高;鱼类群落结构也随水系而显著变化,主要表现为黄浦江水系与洮滆、苕溪和沿江水系呈显著差异.在2个一级生态分区之间,鱼类多样性无显著差异但群落结构显著不同,主要因、鲫、似鳊等优势种及宽鳍鱲、尖头鱥、中华青鳉、食蚊鱼等偶见种的空间分布差异所引起;在4个二级生态分区之间,鱼类多样性和群落结构均存在显著的空间变化.     

Heterotrophic bacteria in urban springs: Krylatskie Kholmy Moscow reserve

A comparative study of the dynamics of Heterotrophic bacteriocenoses was carried out in three springs in the territory of Krylatskie Kholmy reserve in Moscow. The effect of abiotic (including anthropogenic) factors was assessed. Overall, the abundance of heterotrophic bacteria in springs in Krylatskie Kholmy reserve is at the level common for spring water. However, despite the relative closeness of springs, the microbiological characteristics of the “Svyatoi istochnik” spring radically differed from those in the other two springs. In particular, the number of bacteria by inoculation in this spring was always lower. This suggests the higher quality of water in the “Svyatoi istochnik” spring in terms of microbiological characteristics, which is likely due to a lesser anthropogenic effect.     

寒区湿地春、夏浮游植物群落划分——以三江平原安邦河湿地为例

运用多元分析方法对安邦河湿地春、夏浮游植物群落进行划分,结果表明,两季节均可分为3个组群:(1)核心区组群,春季为绒毛平板藻.四角盘星藻群落,夏季为四角盘星藻群落;(2)边缘区组群,春季为梅尼小环藻-尖针杆藻群落,夏季为鱼腥藻-铜绿微囊藻.梅尼小环藻群落;(3)莲花池组群,春季为地中尖头藻群落,夏季为银灰平裂藻群落.各群落的种类组成、数量及多样性存在季节差异,与寒区环境因子季节变化相关.     

Environmental determinants of leech assemblage patterns in lotic and lenitic habitats

Leeches (Clitellata: Hirudinida) are abundant predators or ecto-parasites inhabiting various freshwater habitats; however many biotic and abiotic drivers of their assemblage patterns have been deduced rather than directly tested. To study species richness and composition changes in leech assemblages, 109 sites of running and stagnant water bodies were sampled in three regions of the Czech Republic in 2007–2010, together with several explanatory variables that are known or expected to be important predictors of leech distribution. In total, 17 species of leeches were recorded, varying between 0–7 and 0–9 species in lotic and lenitic sites, respectively. These differences in species richness of lotic and lenitic sites were highly significant, contrary to the abundances, which varied between 0–283 and 0–295 individuals. The main change in species composition was controlled by water temperature and morphological characteristics (e.g. substrate and cover of macrophytes), mostly reflecting the differences between lotic and lenitic habitats. We found the density of benthos (i.e. prey availability) to be the best predictor of species composition in both lotic and lenitic sites, together with the percentage of canopy cover. However, the other significant predictors (i.e. the substrate and water conductivity found to be significant in lotic sites, and the mean annual temperature and PO₄^3? in lenitic sites), differed between these habitats. Other than mean annual temperature and water temperature, which had different effects on species richness in lotic and lenitic sites, there were no other differences between lotic and lenitic sites in terms of how species richness and abundance responded to all other analyzed predictors. Our results stress the importance of prey availability and canopy for leech distribution patterns. Differences in the significant predictors of leech assemblage patterns between lotic and lenitic sites raise fundamental questions about the underlying mechanisms and ecological constraints to leech distribution in these main types of aquatic systems.     

Emergence patterns and microhabitat preference of aquatic dance flies (Empididae; Clinocerinae and Hemerodromiinae) on a longitudinal gradient of barrage lake system

Aquatic dance flies (Empididae; Clinocerinae and Hemerodromiinae) are important components of freshwater assemblages, especially in running waters. They are predators as larvae and adults and thus essential for understanding aquatic food webs. This study was conducted in Plitvice lakes National Park (Croatia) representing a wide variety of freshwater habitats (springs, streams, lakes and tufa barriers). Adults were collected monthly from March 2007 until March 2009 using pyramid-type emergence traps at 13 locations. A total of 3865 specimens comprising 18 species were collected. The dominant genus was Chelifera, while the most abundant species was Hemerodromia unilineata. All species were univoltine except Chelifera precabunda, Chelifera pyrenaica and Chelifera stigmatica that were bivoltine. Considerable differences in composition and structure of aquatic dance flies assemblages were recorded along a longitudinal gradient of studied sites, primarily related to differences in physical and chemical parameters of water. Water temperature was the main factor influencing the timing of emergence. Hemerodromia species preferred variable water temperature throughout the year while the majority of the Chelifera species preferred stable water temperature characteristic of spring sites. Furthermore, discharge affected assemblage composition of aquatic dance flies. The highest abundance of aquatic dance flies was recorded in lotic habitats with fast water current over substrates of moss, gravel and particulate tufa with detritus. These results give a new insight on microhabitat preference and their distribution on unique karstic habitats.     

长江下游沿江湿地升金湖越冬水鸟觅食集团结构及生态位特征

集团结构和生态位特征是量化动物群落组织过程的重要指标,鸟类集团结构及其食物资源分割的分析对于理解群落中不同鸟种生态适应性具有重要意义.越冬水鸟集团结构和生态位特征取决于食物资源的丰富度和可获得性.本文通过对升金湖越冬水鸟的觅食生境和觅食行为的观察,对水鸟群落的集团结构进行划分,采用Levins指数和Pianka指数计算...     

Estimating distributional patterns of non-marine Ostracoda (Crustacea) and habitat suitability in the Burdur province (Turkey)

We explored distributional patterns and habitat preferences of ostracods in the Burdur province (Turkey). At 121 sites we recorded 35 taxa (22 recent, 13 sub-recent), of which 23 represent new records for the province. According to the Index of Dispersion and d-statistics, the individual species exhibited clumped distributions. Cosmopolitan species dominated (63.64%). A direct effect of regional factors (e.g., elevation) was not observed, while local factors (e.g., water temperature) best explained species distribution among habitats. Based on alpha diversity values, natural habitats (springs, ponds, creeks) were more suitable than artificial habitats (e.g., troughs, dams), suggesting that natural habitats define regional species diversity. Twenty-two of the recorded species had wider ecological ranges than previously reported. Cosmopolitan species appeared to suppress non-cosmopolitan species due to their wider ecological range.     

The time-dependent variation of hydrogeochemical characteristics, thermal regime, and biocenoses in the fresh and thermal waters of the Lake Karymskii basin following the catastrophic underwater eruption of 1996 in the Akademii Nauk Caldera, Kamchatka

The results of biohydrogeochemical monitoring are used to study time-dependent variations in the hydrogeochemical characteristics of the Lake Karymskii water mass, the state and characteristics of underwater discharge zones in the Tokarev crater (formed in 1996), hydrogeochemical characteristics of thermal springs around the lake, and the biota succession in the lake for the period 1996–2006 (2007). We detected a stratification in the chemical composition of water over depth and the presence of persistent zones of increased concentrations of dissolved oxygen. We found an alkalization of lake water and a decrease in its total salinity. The new thermal springs and underwater discharges of thermal water and gases were found to be continuing. The first data were obtained on the concentration of microelements in the thermal springs of the Karymskii basin. The biodiversity of algae in Lake Karymskii was largely increased by the species diversity of benthic Bacillariophyta. The plankton phytocomponent of the precatastrophic period was found to have been regenerated in the lake as of April 2007.     

Distribution and seasonal fluctuations in the aquatic biodiversity of the southern Altiplano

We compared the distribution and seasonal fluctuations in the aquatic biota in relation to chemical and physical water variables in the Altiplano watersheds of the Ascotán, Carcote and Huasco salars; Chungará and Cotacotani lakes; Isluga and Lauca Rivers and the Parinacota wetland. We sampled during the austral autumn–winter of 2006 and in the spring–summer of 2006–2007, using three sampling stations for each system. We used canonical correspondence analysis to establish relations between frequency of taxa and environmental variables.We demonstrate that the structure and composition of the aquatic biota in humid areas of the Altiplano is determined by physical and chemical variables of the water. The most relevant one is total nitrogen, which is also the limiting nutrient for phytoplankton production in tropical systems.Benthos and zooplankton showed significant associations with the set of environmental variables (Monte Carlo test, p<0.05); however, the association was not significant for phytoplankton. Lake Chungará showed the greatest variation in composition and abundance of zooplankton between autumn-winter and spring-summer, while in the Huasco salar the physical and chemical characteristics were related to the composition and abundance of the benthonic fauna. Thus, changes in the water volume of these systems would have repercussions in chemical and physical variables, altering the species assemblage and possibly the efficiency and stability of ecosystem functions.     

Stream macroinvertebrate communities change with grassland afforestation in central Argentina

Lotic ecosystems are highly affected by land use changes such as afforestation of natural areas for management or commercial purposes. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of pine plantations on benthic invertebrate communities in mountain grassland streams. Additionally, we assessed if the hydrological period modifies the effect of afforestation on stream invertebrates. Three headwater streams draining grasslands (reference streams) and three draining plantations of Pinus elliottii were selected in a mountain watershed of Córdoba province (Argentina). Hydrologic and physicochemical variables were registered and benthic invertebrate samples were collected in each stream at two different hydrological periods. Total invertebrate abundance, richness and diversity were reduced in afforested streams as well as the number of indicator taxa. In addition, invertebrate functional structure (i.e. taxonomic richness and total and relative abundance of functional feeding groups, FFG) showed differences between streams with different riparian vegetation and between hydrological periods. Total abundance of all FFGs was lower in afforested streams and scrapers’ relative abundance was higher in grassland streams at the low water period. In addition, in most FFGs richness was diminished in afforested streams. Changes in light intensity, hydrology and coarse organic matter inputs produced by afforestation alter fluvial habitats and consequently the composition and trophic structure of invertebrate communities in grassland streams of Córdoba mountains.     

The response of Clitellata (Annelida) to environmental gradients in spring fens

Patterns in aquatic Clitellata assemblage composition are known to be driven by several environmental gradients, with water chemistry and substratum characteristics being particularly important. In this study we explored 54 isolated spring fens across the eastern Czech Republic and Slovakia. These fens varied in calcium and magnesium concentrations, forming a sharp and well defined environmental gradient running from calcium-poor acidic fens to extremely calcium-rich tufa-forming fens. We found that the main changes in clitellate species composition were controlled by this gradient, and/or total organic carbon content, over a wide area, including fen sites differing in other environmental conditions and historical development. However, this pattern was weakened in sites with a high organic matter content, which represented a second driver of change in assemblage composition along with water temperature. Three main types of fens were determined using cluster analysis based on clitellate assemblage composition. However, only the first type, which included tufa-forming fens, was found to fit with the previously established spring fen types based on vegetation (i.e. extremely mineral-rich fens with a tufa, brown-moss mineral-rich fens, mineral-rich Sphagnum fens and mineral-poor Sphagnum fens). The second clitellate type included sites with low temperatures and occasional desiccation, while the third type was characterised by high temperatures and trophy. Using eight environmental predictors, we were able to significantly explain changes in the population abundances of all 12 common species (i.e. recorded at 15-plus sites). The results from individual species modelling also suggests that an increase in organic matter content can trigger compositional shifts towards assemblages of common eurytopic tubificid species. Thus, human-induced eutrophication and negative changes in spring fen hydrology, mainly drying up, can represent a serious threat for species-specific assemblages of aquatic clitellates, especially at alkaline sites due to their isolated and spatially limited nature.     

On the Limnology of Deep and Saline Lake Burdur in Turkey

Limnological characteristics of Lake Burdur in Lake District in south‐western Turkey are presented. It is a deep, tectonic (estimated max. depth 100 m), athalassic, highly alkaline, and saline lake. A set of physical and chemical variables was monitored, phyto‐ and zooplankton was sampled from surface layer of the lake during 1997. Physico‐chemical variables indicated that the lake is hyposaline and composed of some hydrochemically different water layers formed by groundwater sources located on the bottom of the lake. The phytoplankton composition of Lake Burdur consisted of Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta, Dinophyta, and Chrysophyta. The abundance and number of species of Chlorophyta and Cyanophyta were higher than the other taxa. The zooplankton composition of the Lake consisted of Rhizopoda, Rotifera, and Crustacea. Number of species of Rotifera was higher than the other taxa. The diversities of the phyto‐ and zooplankton were calculated according to the Shannon‐Weaver diversity index. The diversity of each group was found to be low in the lake.