Environmental drivers of macrophyte species richness in artificial and natural aquatic water bodies – comparative approach from two central European regions

• Published in: Annales de limnologie Vol. 50; no. 4; pp. 269 - 278
• Main Authors: Hrivnak, Richard, Kochjarova, Judita, Oaheova, Helena, Paove-Balang, Peter, Slezak, Michal, Slezak, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Toulouse EDP Sciences 01.01.2014; Université Paul Sabatier
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Aquatic plants; Biological and medical sciences; Central Europe; diversity; Fresh water ecosystems; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; generalized linear model; species richness–environmental relationship; Synecology; Central Europe; Europe; Generalized linear model; Diversity; Aquatic plants; Aquatic plant; Central Europe; Species richness; species richness-environmental relationship
• DOI: 10.1051/limn/2014020
• ISSN: 0003-4088

Species richness of macrophytes of artificial and natural water bodies covering rivers, streams, canals and habitats with standing water was studied in two Central European biogeographical regions, Pannonian and Carpathian, represented by two model areas (the Borská nížina Lowland and the Turčianska Kotlina Basin). We found that: (i) the total number of macrophytes was higher in artificial water bodies compared to natural aquatic habitats in both regions and differences were statistically significant (P<0.05); and (ii) species richness of macrophytes is relatively low in both regions; slightly higher mean number was found in the Pannonian region (3.53) compared with the Carpathian region (3.06). Effects of environmental characteristics on species richness studied by generalized linear model (GLM) showed that explained variances of GLM were similar in both regions. The main drivers of the diversity pattern were those connected with the hydrology of water bodies, such as substrate characteristics and turbidity, less frequent were chemical characteristics, such as water conductivity and N-contents, whereas landscape characteristics manifested the smallest impact. Macrophyte richness of artificial and natural water bodies covering rivers, streams, canals and habitats with standing water was studied in Pannonian and Carpathian regions (Central Europe). Total number of macrophytes was significantly (P<0.05) higher in artificial water bodies compared to natural aquatic habitats in both regions. Hydrological variables followed by chemical and landscape factors were identified by generalised linear model (GLM) as the underlying sources of variation in macrophyte species richness.