Response of zooplankton assemblages in the Adriatic coastal ponds to different restoration methods

Autor: Gulin Beljak, Vesna, Špoljar, Maria, Dražina, Tvrtko, Sertić Perić, Mirela, Matoničkin Kepčija, Renata, Šumanović, Marina
Přispěvatelé: Mičetić Stanković, V, Ivković, M, Matoničkin Kepčija, R, Sertić Perić, M, Miliša, M, Vilenica, M
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Popis: Freshwater ecosystems are under significant anthropogenic pressure, often resulting in biodiversity loss. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to investigate and understand the response of different communities to restoration. Zooplankton is an important component of lentic ecosystems, and an excellent indicator of ecosystem change. The main objectives of this study were: (i) to explore the response of zooplankton to restoration by comparing zooplankton assemblages between unrestored Adriatic coastal ponds of anthropogenic origin and those subjected to different restoration methods (macrophyte restoration, drainage of sediment), in terms of trophic groups and ecological types ; and (ii) to determine the main drivers of zooplankton composition in each category of ponds. Shallow ponds restored by macrophyte reduction had the highest zooplankton abundance, while the lowest abundance of zooplankton was observed in shallow water bodies without restoration methods applied. Unrestored ponds were dominated by planktonic rotifers and algivorous-feeding, predatory copepods, while restored ponds had many littoral detritivorous cladocerans. Zooplankton assemblage structure was mainly influenced by conductivity, concentration of suspended organic matter, macrophyte structure complexity, and phytoplankton biomass. The results of this study confirm the potential of zooplankton as bioindicator of restoration methods and the importance of appropriate restoration measures in preserving biodiversity and good ecological status of shallow water bodies.
Databáze: OpenAIRE