Phototrophic communities of Ahshtyrskaya Cave in the condition of artificial light

Abstract

Investigation presents the multiyear assessment of biodiversity and development features of phototrophic communities from hypogean habitats. Caves exploitation as a tourist sites leads to anthropogenic transformation of subterranean ecosystems and formation of new communities named lampenflora. An example is given by the Ahshtyrskaya Cave (Sochi, Russia), which was equipped in 2000. The air temperature in the cave was 9-18 °C, humidity average 60-80%, the content of 222Rn 250-550 Bk/m3. Species identification was performed using standard approaches and cultivation methods. Cluster analysis was used to estimate similarity of communities in different cave zones. Biodiversity of phototrophs was revealed in entrance zone and zone of artificial light in 2017 - 2019. Species Microcystis pulverea, Scytonema drilosiphon, Chlorella vulgaris, Eucladium verticillatum predominated in communities of abovementioned zones. Considering the entrance zone communities as climax ones, comparison them with lampenflora can help to determine the speed and direction of succession. As a result of cluster analysis, it was established that species composition of lampenflora is most close to the entrance zone in case of maximum illuminated area. Thus, the succession of lampenflora depends on the intensity of illumination and tends to the species composition of the entrance zone communities.

Biodiversity of Phototrophs and Culturable Fungi in Gobustan Caves

“…This trend should be typical for grottoes and small caves, especially for arid regions, where, due to high temperature and low humidity, caves and grottoes function as a refugium for species that can survive in low light and need high humidity, such as algae, cyanobacteria, some bryophytes, and ferns. Observations carried out in Montenegro have demonstrated the absence of ferns in the photic zones of caves [ 5 , 37 ], while in the caves of the Caucasus region, ferns are an obligatory component of the vegetation of the caves entrance zone [ 8 , 39 , 40 ]. This can be associated with higher temperatures, less precipitation in the summer season, and lower humidity in Montenegro, where precipitation rates are decreasing [ 41 ].…”

“…No ferns were found in the entrance zones of the caves and grottoes of Gobustan, which confirms the decrease in the number of species that need high humidity in the photic zones of caves in an arid climate. In the caves of Gobustan, moss protonema was absent in the phototrophic communities, although it is usually found in most communities and may occupy a dominant position [ 5 , 8 , 39 ]. We can assume that we were unable to identify the protonema due to sampling during the dry period of the year.…”

Ecological impacts of photosynthetic light harvesting in changing aquatic environments: A systematic literature map

“…Additionally, caves which are lit for touristic purposes are known to exhibit the so‐called “Lampenflora” consisting of moss and algae. Thus, trophic processes in a total light excluded microbial ecosystem became severely changed (Popkova et al, 2019 ). However, except for those few specific examples, general effects of light pollution in terms of being ecological resources are insufficiently investigated or focused on animals (‐behavior) or terrestrial systems (Gaston et al, 2013 ).…”

Toxic or Otherwise Harmful Algae and the Built Environment

“…In order to give an overview on the abundance of potentially harmful algae in the built environment (indoor, Lampenflora, building surfaces), I enlisted airborne algae, potentially toxic and/or allergenic, from literature and set them into context with the built environment ( Table 1 ). This extract is based on a choice of literature, mainly on comprehensive studies or work otherwise important in the theme [ 3 , 5 , 8 , 10 , 17 , 19 , 23 , 26 , 74 , 107 , 116 , 129 , 130 , 140 , 141 , 142 , 143 , 144 , 145 , 146 , 147 , 148 , 149 , 150 , 151 , 152 , 154 , 155 , 156 , 157 , 158 , 159 , 160 , 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 , 165 , 166 , 167 , 168 , 169 , 170 , 171 , 270 ]. Airborne algae were sampled with different methods, e.g., fan dust sampling, filtration, impaction, impingement, Rotorod sampler, sedimentation, application of a vacuum cleaner and wind nets.…”