Oligochaeta, occurring in the littoral zones of two sand pits, were sampled in order to determine the relationship between the oligochaete species and the waters' trophic level. Differences between sand pits attributable to community structure and to an overall higher abundance of oligochaetes, especially tubificids, were observed in Dzier_ zno Małe. Multivariate analyses (correspondence analysis [CA] and canonical correspondence analysis [CCA]) reveal correlations between the distribution patterns of oligochaete species and the concentration of nitrates, phosphates and dissolved oxygen. Some species, e.g. Dero digitata, Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Potamothrix hammoniensis, Nais simplex, Limnodrilus claparedeanus, Limnodrilus udekemianus and Tubifex tubifex, were more abundant in eutrophic sites. The results of the study showed that the richness of Oligochaeta species is not a good method for estimating the trophic levels of the studied sand pits. Indicators based on the share of oligo-, mesoand eutrophic species in Oligochaeta communities are better for evaluating the water quality in the studied reservoirs.
Anthropogenic water bodies namely fish ponds, clay pits, sand pits, dam reservoirs or mining subsidence pools are the characteristic feature of Upper Silesian landscape. In the study, the gastropod communities occurring in 296 anthropogenic water bodies were discussed in relation to their distribution in macroregions of Upper Silesia, role in industrialised and urbanised environment and the significance for regional biodiversity.In period 1998-2002, 31 freshwater gastropod species were found in the study area. It is noteworthy, that the anthropogenic water habitats of Upper Silesia provide a refuge for several rare and vulnerable species, among them e.g. Anisus leucostoma (Millet, 1813), Gyraulus rossmaessleri (V. Auerswald, 1852) and Hippeutis complanatus (Linnaeus, 1758).
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