Ecological integrity of river–floodplain systems—assessment by dragonfly surveys (Insecta: Odonata)

Chovanec, Andreas; Waringer, Johann

doi:10.1002/rrr.664.abs

Cited by 28 publications

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“…The study area (altitude 149 m; 48°07′ N, 16°40′ E; Fig. 1) is located on one of the two remaining stretches of the Austrian Danube which have not yet been impounded for hydroelectric power plant generation, as has happened elsewhere in this highly fragmented river (Ward, 1998; Chovanec & Waringer, 2001; Chovanec et al. , 2005).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The study area (altitude 149 m; 48°07¢ N, 16°40¢ E; Fig. 1) is located on one of the two remaining stretches of the Austrian Danube which have not yet been impounded for hydroelectric power plant generation, as has happened elsewhere in this highly fragmented river (Ward, 1998;Chovanec & Waringer, 2001;Chovanec et al, 2005). Here, the original structural character of the river still remains intact, indicated by high mean water velocity (about 2 m s )1 surface speed at midstream) and an abundance of coarse sediment particles (median, 30.3 mm; range 19-51 mm).…”

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

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Abundance and microhabitats of freshwater sponges (Spongillidae) in a Danubean floodplain in Austria

Dröscher

Waringer

2007

Freshwater Biology

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1. This study examined the abundance and distribution of freshwater sponges (Spongillidae) at 32 sites in a floodplain on the Danube within the 'Donau-Auen' National Park east of Vienna, Austria. Ranked from abundant to rare, the species inventory comprised Ephydatia fluviatilis, Spongilla lacustris, Ephydatia mü lleri, Eunapius fragilis and Trochospongilla horrida. 2. The presence of hard substratum was essential for the growth of sponges. Timber stands near the water and drifting dead wood increased the abundance of E. fragilis, E. fluviatilis and E. mü lleri, whereas stony substrata were important for S. lacustris. A small fraction of E. fluviatilis was collected from macrophytes (Phragmites). 3. Based on the area colonised, the abundance of S. lacustris, E. fragilis and E. fluviatilis was highest (94.2-100% of the total) in floodplain waters where hydrological connectivity with the Danube was low (0-6 days year )1 ), whereas E. mü lleri and T. horrida made up 20.3-35.9% of the total at sites connected for up to 179 days year )1 . Moreover, the area colonised by T. horrida at a current velocity >0.20 m s )1 was larger than in the remaining species. Sites with E. mü lleri and T. horrida had a higher silicon concentration (0.9 mg L )1 ) than sites where the remaining three species were collected (0.4-0.6 mg L )1 ). 4. In most species, the length of macroscleres (the larger spicules) was positively correlated with conductivity and negatively with pH. With respect to aberrant macroscleres, hooks were observed most frequently, whereas the proportion of centrotylotes (ie with the one on more globular swellings along the spicule) was lowest. 5. Freshwater sponges have a great deal of potential as bioindicators and restoration measures that improve floodplain connectivity will favour rare species, such as E. mü lleri and T. horrida, while impairing others (e.g. E. fragilis, S. lacustris and E. fluviatilis).

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

Abundance and microhabitats of freshwater sponges (Spongillidae) in a Danubean floodplain in Austria

Dröscher

Waringer

2007

Freshwater Biology

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“…approximately in the middle of the 19th century) has to be taken into account. Historical maps and faunistic data, as well as old paintings, may provide useful information (Chovanec & Waringer, 2001).…”

Section: Key Principles Of Assessment According To the Water Framewormentioning

confidence: 99%

The Dragonfly Association Index (Insecta: Odonata)—a Tool for the Type‐Specific Assessment of Lowland Rivers

Chovanec

Schindler

Waringer

et al. 2014

River Research & Apps

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Species traits of 57 Odonata species occurring in the Austrian bioregion Eastern Ridges and Lowlands (ecoregion Hungarian Lowlands; Illies, ) were defined by factor loadings of 12 habitat parameters: stream sections crenon, rhithron and potamon; flow velocity; standing water; temporary water; size of water body; open water; open banks; submerged macrophytes; reed; and riparian trees. On the basis of the species‐specific configurations of these habitat parameters, cluster analysis revealed seven dragonfly associations with different habitat needs: association of open waters, association of sparsely vegetated banks, association of reed and riparian trees, association of reed and submerged macrophytes, association of temporary waters, rhithron association and potamon association. Correlations between the associations' habitat requirements and the habitat parameters of the seven (near‐)natural river types, which are present in this bioregion were performed to define river type‐specific association compositions. From these results, a dragonfly association index was created to assess the ecological status of these rivers within the five‐tiered system of the European Union Water Framework Directive, emphasizing hydro‐morphological aspects by comparing the type‐specific reference situation with the actual status quo of dragonfly colonization. The method was applied at different rivers, particularly for the purpose of evaluating restoration measures. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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“…Good bioindicators are those that represent the composition, structure and functioning of a system for comparing habitats, while also indicating change in habitat conditions over time (Pearson, ). Odonata are good bioindicators of aquatic and riparian conditions as they are: (i) taxonomically well known, (ii) relatively easy to identify in the field, (iii) reside in a variety of habitats, (iv) sensitive to water quality and environmental change, and (v) generally their assemblages are suitable for adequate habitat assessments (Samways & Steytler, ; Chovanec & Waringer, ; Simaika & Samways, ; Bried et al ., ,b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complementarity among dragonflies across a pondscape in a rural landscape mosaic

Briggs

Pryke

Samways

et al. 2019

Insect Conserv Diversity

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Networks of ponds (pondscapes) are becoming increasingly significant for resilient landscape planning in rural areas. Farmland and forestry ponds are habitat islands that support heterogeneous communities of aquatic organisms. Species richness, Dragonfly Biotic Index (DBI), Shannon's index, and species composition are used here to assess the complementary conservation value of adult dragonfly assemblages associated with forty ponds across a protected area‐sugarcane‐forestry mosaic. Despite differences in environmental variables among the various ponds, dragonfly species richness, DBI, Shannon index scores, as well as responses to particular environmental variables, did not differ between ponds in sugarcane, plantation forestry, and protected areas. Dragonfly composition differed in response to vegetation cover. Our results highlight the importance of catchment and regional management for all ponds within the pondscape, and show that ponds in the transformed areas (i.e. sugarcane and forestry areas) are important contributors to regional conservation. As the various ponds were complementary in their dragonfly assemblages, we recommend conservation focus at the level of the pondscape rather than on individual ponds.

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Ecological integrity of river–floodplain systems—assessment by dragonfly surveys (Insecta: Odonata)

Cited by 28 publications

References 0 publications

Abundance and microhabitats of freshwater sponges (Spongillidae) in a Danubean floodplain in Austria

Abundance and microhabitats of freshwater sponges (Spongillidae) in a Danubean floodplain in Austria

The Dragonfly Association Index (Insecta: Odonata)—a Tool for the Type‐Specific Assessment of Lowland Rivers

Complementarity among dragonflies across a pondscape in a rural landscape mosaic

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