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Influence of environmental variables on benthic algal associations from selected extreme environments in Slovenia in relation to the species identification

ALEKSANDRA KRIVOGRAD KLEMENČIĆ ; Department of Sanitary Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
MIHAEL J. TOMAN ; Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Sažetak

Background and Purpose: Algal species composition, relative abundance
and environmental factors were studied. The aim of the research was
to identify indicator species and characteristic associations for specific environmental
conditions.

Materials and Methods: Species composition and the distribution of
benthic algal taxa were established at 30 sampling sites in selected extreme environments in Slovenia. Algal samples were collected two to four times at each sampling site during different seasons in 2005 and 2006.

Results and Conclusions: In total, 603 algal taxa were identified of 138 genera and 10 classis. Given the number of identified taxa, diatoms were prevailing at 29 sampling sites. Achnanthes minutissima was the most widespread species. Nitzschia frustulum, Enteromorpha intestinalis, Diploneis didyma and Phormidium formosum are the indicator species of the environments with a particularly high electric conductivity. Gomphonema angustatum, Meridion circulare, Cocconeis placentula, Nitzschia palea, Gomphonema parvulum and Cymbella silesiaca are the indicator
species of the environment at alkaline pH and standing waters.
Eunotia bilunaris, E. exigua, E. implicata, Achnanthes flexella, Pinnularia subcapitata and Spirogyra spp. are the indicator species of the environment at acidic pH. The canonical analysis was carried out for 27 sampling sites where algae were sampled and environmental variables assessed. We explained 21% of the variability of classis, 19% of the variability of genera, and 17% of the variability of species (taxa). In relation to the size of the explained variability of environmental variables, it was found out that the factor at the level of species (taxa), which had a decisive influence on the distribution
of algae in selected habitats, was the geological substrate (silicate),
the water pH at the level of genera and the velocity of water flow at the level of classis.

Ključne riječi

benthic algae; extreme environments; multivariate analyses; CCA; TWINSPAN; environmental variables

Hrčak ID:

58002

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/58002

Datum izdavanja:

1.6.2010.

Posjeta: 1.554 *