Artificial ponds in Central Europe do not fall behind the natural ponds in terms of macrophyte diversity

Abstract

-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...

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