-We studied macrophyte composition and 24 environmental variables in 69 ponds of both natural and artificial origin in Slovakia. We tested differences in a and g diversity and b similarity between natural and artificial ponds for helophytes, hydrophytes, red list species and all species. We also assessed effects of environmental variables on species richness of studied ponds by generalised linear models (GLM). For local diversity, the significant difference was obtained only in case of helophytes. Beta similarity significantly differed for all the species groups. Total species numbers (gamma diversity) of all the groups were higher in natural ponds with the exception of hydrophytes. A randomization test of g diversity yielded significant differences for helophytes and all species groups; richness and diversity of hydrophytes and red list species were not significantly different. Thus, we can conclude that even though natural ponds have a significantly higher regional diversity, local diversity is comparable not only for common species but also endangered red-listed macrophytes and thus artificial ponds could serve as proper secondary habitats for macrophytes. GLM showed different effect of environmental predictors on richness of studied species and pond groups and a slightly higher explained variability in natural (40%) compared to artificial (37%) ponds.Keywords: comparative diversity / lentic habitats / aquatic plants / species richness Résumé -Les mares artificielles d'Europe centrale ne sont pas en retard par rapport aux mares naturelles en termes de diversité des macrophytes. Nous avons étudié la composition des macrophytes et 24 variables environnementales dans 69 mares d'origine naturelle et artificielle en Slovaquie. Nous avons testé les différences de diversité a et g et de similitude b entre les mares naturelles et artificielles pour les hélophytes, les hydrophytes, les espèces de la liste rouge et toutes les espèces. Nous avons également évalué les effets des variables environnementales sur la richesse en espèces des mares étudiées à l'aide de modèles linéaires généralisés (GLM). En ce qui concerne la diversité locale, une différence significative n'a été obtenue que dans le cas des hélophytes. La similarité bêta était significativement différente pour tous les groupes d'espèces. Le nombre total d'espèces (diversité gamma) de tous les groupes était plus élevé dans les mares naturelles, à l'exception des hydrophytes. Un test de randomisation de la diversité g a produit des différences significatives pour les hélophytes et tous les groupes d'espèces; la richesse et la diversité des hydrophytes et des espèces de la liste rouge n'étaient pas significativement différentes. Par conséquent, nous pouvons conclure que même si les mares naturelles présentent une diversité régionale nettement plus grande, la diversité locale est comparable non seulement pour les espèces communes, mais aussi pour les macrophytes inscrits sur la liste rouge, ce qui fait que les mares artificielles pourraient servir d'habi...
Aquatic vegetation of the mountains and sub-alpine ponds in the Tatra Mountains and adjacent area (Slovakia) has been studied with the aim to provide information about the composition and species richness of macrophytes in relation to environmental factors. Macrophytes were studied in two pond groups: natural ponds of glacial origin and artificial ponds. Simultaneously, eight environmental variables were measured or estimated at each pond. The studied pond groups differed significantly (Mann-Whitney U-test, P<0.01) in almost all recorded environmental variables except for water temperature and pond area. Almost all environmental characteristics showed higher variability in the artificial ponds. In total, 70 macrophyte taxa were found at the study sites consisting of ca 90% of vascular plants and ca 10% of bryophytes. Artificial ponds were characterised by a multi-element vascular plant species group typical for marshy and aquatic habitats of lower altitudes, while Carex rostrata was the only species typical for natural ponds. Species richness differed significantly between the two pond groups, with artificial ponds hosting considerably more species. Species richness of all studied ponds was negatively correlated with altitude and precipitation;
Alien aquatic plants rank amongst the major threats to aquatic biodiversity and, since ongoing climate change is expected to facilitate their further spread, there is an urgent need for sound knowledge of their distribution and ecology. We collected published and unpublished data spanning the last ~130 years and performed the first comprehensive assessment of alien aquatic vascular plants in Slovakia with the following aims: (i) to prepare a national inventory, (ii) to assess the effects of climate and landscape on species diversity and (iii) to evaluate the habitat preferences of the species. The historical overview showed a strongly increasing trend in the number of alien species related to an increased amount of intensive research of aquatic vegetation over the last 30 years. Altogether, 20 neophyte alien aquatic plant taxa were recorded from 479 sampling sites. However, the species inventory seems to be far from complete and approximately 14 species are expected to remain undetected. Elodeacanadensis and E.nuttallii are the most frequently occurring alien aquatic plants, while eight other species have been found at a single site only. The majority of alien plants were deliberately introduced as aquarium ornamentals or released through pond waste. The fragmented information on local habitat conditions did not allow us to draw firm conclusions about the habitat preferences of alien aquatic plants. However, artificial water bodies are more frequently colonised by alien species than natural habitats (95% of aliens were found in artificial water bodies and 60% of them were recorded exclusively in these habitats) and many species have broad environmental tolerances (ability to colonise both standing and running waters, tolerances to a wide range of temperatures and water chemistry). Our results reaffirm the major role of increased temperatures and landscape modification in the distribution of alien aquatic plants and we can expect enhanced invasiveness and spreading of alien species into new habitats driven by climate change and land use intensification. Filling a main gap in the recognition of alien aquatic plant environmental preferences is a challenge for future research with the ultimate goal of maintaining natural aquatic plant diversity and ecosystem functioning.
Individual types of waterbodies are characterised by their specific environmental conditions controlling growth of aquatic macrophytes. We focused on effects of environmental factors on macrophyte species richness in canals, ponds, rivers and streams within Central European region. We employed generalised linear models (GLM) to assess separately overall macrophyte species data and data on wetland species (true aquatic plants and helophytes). No significant difference was revealed by comparing species richness among water body types, though canals were the richest water bodies and streams supported the lowest diversity of macrophytes. The models for all the waterbodies, except streams, contained at least two variables and the explained variability ranged from 37% to 77%. The most recurring variables were the coverage of fine substrate, turbidity, shading by bank and shore trees and shrubs, and altitude. Nevertheless, no obvious pattern of factors was observed for particular water body types. Our study confirmed that aquatic macrophyte species richness is shaped by a complexity of factors and necessity of targeting survey and further generalisation of results not only on one specific water body.
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