Maciej Gąbka

Contrasting Species—Environment Relationships in Communities of Testate Amoebae, Bryophytes and Vascular Plants Along the Fen–Bog Gradient

We studied the vegetation, testate amoebae and abiotic variables (depth of the water table, pH, electrical conductivity, Ca and Mg concentrations of water extracted from mosses) along the bog to extremely rich fen gradient in sub-alpine peatlands of the Upper Engadine (Swiss Alps). Testate amoeba diversity was correlated to that of mosses but not of vascular plants. Diversity peaked in rich fen for testate amoebae and in extremely rich fen for mosses, while for testate amoebae and mosses it was lowest in bog but for vascular plants in extremely rich fen. Multiple factor and redundancy analyses (RDA) revealed a stronger correlation of testate amoebae than of vegetation to water table and hydrochemical variables and relatively strong correlation between testate amoeba and moss community data. In RDA, hydrochemical variables explained a higher proportion of the testate amoeba and moss data than water table depth. Abiotic variables explained a higher percentage of the species data for testate amoebae (30.3% or 19.5% for binary data) than for mosses (13.4%) and vascular plants (10%). These results show that (1) vascular plant, moss and testate amoeba communities respond differently to ecological gradients in peatlands and (2) testate amoebae are more strongly related than vascular plants to the abiotic factors at the mire surface. These differences are related to vertical trophic gradients and associated niche differentiation.

Testate amoebae ecology and a local transfer function from a peatland in western Poland

In Chlebowo mire (Wielkopolska region), we investigated testate amoebae in relation to 10 environmental parameters in the semi-natural floating vegetation of flooded peat workings. The measured parameters included: depth to water table (DWT), ground-water pH, color, conductivity, PO4, NO3, NH4, SO4, Ca, and Mg. Detrended correspondence analysis and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) were used to analyze relations between the composition of testate amoebae communities and those variables. In canonical correspondence analysis, DWT, pH, and Mg remained after forwardselection as the main factors characterizing the changes in testate amoebae communities along the moisture and nutrient gradients. Characteristic species of testate amoebae for the various stages of floating-mat development in the flooded peat workings were distinguished. Communities of testate amoebae along with present-day vegetation reflect the process of progressive acidification, driven mainly by Sphagnum fallax. We consider this as secondary succession, since preliminary investigations of peat stratigraphy revealed sedge peat below no more than 5–40 cm of Sphagnum peat in undisturbed parts of the mire. This study increases our understanding of relationships between testate amoebae and their habitat, which is valuable for palaeoenvironmental studies. A local transfer function was developed with the use of six models: partial least squares, maximum likelihood, modern analogue technique, weighted averaging, tolerance down-weighted averaging, and weighted averaging-partial least squares. The weighted averaging model performed the best for depth to water table (root mean square error of prediction RMSEP = 6.99) and pH (RMSEP = 0.8). Results will be used as part of a regional training set to improve palaeoenvironmental reconstructions of Sphagnum peatlands.

Vegetation-Environment Relationships in Peatlands Dominated by Sphagnum fallax in Western Poland

We investigated species composition and relative abundance of Sphagnum fallax dominated peatlands in relation to measured environmental variables on the basis of 26 sites in the Wielkopolska region. Most studied plots were characterized by soft waters, poor in Ca2+ but rich in nutrients, especially N-NH4+ and P-PO43-, with high electrolytic conductivity and high DOC (dissolved organic carbon) concentration. Six of the 19 measured variables of surface water chemistry (DOC, pH, SO42-, P-PO43-, Na+ and Ca2+) significantly explained 23% of the variation in floristic composition. In 65 vegetation plots, 107 species were observed. Cluster analysis revealed four types of vegetation in the studied mires. Sphagnum fallax was the most abundant species and formed plant communities in a wide range of habitats: in floating mats, with the plants usually adjoining the mineral basin edge (e.g. E. vaginatum, Andromeda polifolia and Ledum palustre) as well as it occupied central parts of Sphagnum lawn (e.g. Eriophorum angustifolium) and rich fen habitats (e.g. Carex rostrata or Phragmites australis). In Wielkopolska terrestrializating peatlands, four variables determine the poor-rich gradient: conductivity, DOC, SiO2 dissolved, Ca2+ and alkalinity. This study provides new data on the ecology and typology of Sphagnum peatlands in western Poland.

Distribution patterns and environmental correlates of water mites (Hydrachnidia, Acari) in peatland microhabitats

In Europe peatlands are wetlands of postglacial origin. Because of climatic changes and agricultural activities (i.e. drainage and peat extraction), they are one of the most endangered ecosystems worldwide. Water mites are well known as indicators of changing environments in other ecosystems such as springs and lakes. For our study we selected seven peatlands located in North-Western Poland and focused on water mite distribution and associated habitat and water quality variables. We described water mite fauna in various microhabitats (aquatic and semiaquatic) along the mineral-richness gradient to test whether this gradient is reflected in the composition of water mite assemblages. We selected conductivity, pH and vegetation as variables reflecting the poor-rich gradient. Additionally, we measured water depth, temperature and dissolved oxygen, which are often important parameters for water mites. We also noted presence of prey and host taxa of particular water mite species. Based on physicochemical parameters we identified three types of habitats harbouring three distinctive species groups of water mites. We were able to distinguish species that appear to be typical of spring fens (e.g. Hygrobates norvegicus, Lebertia separata), connected with acidic, nutrient poor pools (e.g. Arrenurus neumani, A. pustulator) and species seemingly typical of temporary habitats dominated by Sphagnum mosses (e.g. Piersigia intermedia, Zschokkea oblonga, A. stecki). The poor-rich gradient is strongly reflected in the composition of water mite assemblages. We also found strong correlations between the water mite fauna and both conductivity and pH gradient. Our results show that water conductivity is the most important of the examined factors, driving mite-species distribution in peatlands.

Habitat requirements of the Charetum intermediae phytocoenoses in lakes of western Poland

The study presents habitat and phytosociological analyses of the Chara intermedia phytocenoses, rare described in Europe. 16 physico-chemical water parameters were analysed, coming from the samples taken in 20 phytocenoses of 13 lakes located in western Poland. The analysed community appeared in naturally shallow lakes representing last stages of the disappearance of glacial water basins. The study attempts to estimate the bioindicative value of the charophyta meadow Charetum intermediae in relation to its habitat. A particular attention has been paid to the determination of the habitat trophic condition, and to the concentration of elements connected with the hardness of water and the content of humic substances. The study shows crucial habitat gradients of the C. intermediae association, taking into account also the species composition of phytocenoses.

Ulva flexuosa (Ulvaceae, Chlorophyta) inhabiting inland aquatic ecosystems: molecular, morphological and ecological discrimination of subspecies

Species of Ulva (Ulvaceae, Chlorophyta) are relatively common macroalgae in most coastal areas. In this paper, we examine Ulva in inland aquatic ecosystems to determine relationships between the chemical parameters of the water and the Ulva taxa present. Two groups of samples of freshwater Ulva were selected from: (i) habitats with high salinity levels, and (ii) habitats with fresh or slightly saline waters. We showed that these two groups of Ulva, which occupy distinct habitats, represent two separate taxa. The first group represents Ulva flexuosa subsp. pilifera (Kützing) M.J. Wynne, which is very common and regularly encountered in fresh waters, but is equally well represented in slightly saline waters. The second is U. flexuosa subsp. paradoxa (C. Agardh) M.J. Wynne, which is less common, preferring mainly salt-wedge saline waters. We did not find both Ulva flexuosa subspecies together at any of the research sites. There were significant morphological differences between the Ulva flexuosa subspecies. Ulva flexuosa subsp. pilifera had longer and wider thalli and wider cells than those of subsp. paradoxa. Ulva flexuosa subsp. paradoxa cells were longer and of greater circumference than those of subsp. pilifera. Analyses of the rRNA ITS region and partial rbcL gene sequences demonstrated minor sequence variation within the two subspecies. The results of this study provide detailed information on the characteristics of limnic Ulva habitats and indicate the niches where such populations are likely to occur.

The influence of abiotic factors on the bloom-forming alga Ulva flexuosa (Ulvaceae, Chlorophyta): possibilities for the control of the green tides in freshwater ecosystems

Ulva species are characterised by the capacity to achieve rapid biomass increase, which results in the formation of “green tides”, particularly in nutrient-rich seawaters. Over the last decade, formation of large-scale Ulva mats has been increasingly observed in freshwater systems in Central Europe. Mass development of Ulva in freshwater ecosystems presents a growing burden in spite of its economic benefits. This study explores the formation dynamics of Ulva flexuosa mats with respect to habitat conditions, using the examples of a number of water systems located in Poland. Elevated water temperature, pH and high concentration of sulphates are among the most important factors affecting biometric parameters of Ulva blooms. An evident disparity was observed between lotic water ecosystems and lentic water ecosystems, which differed in terms of chemical characteristics of the habitat and mat structure properties. In flowing water, U. flexuosa displays a definitely higher potential for blooms. On the other hand, mass occurrence of U. flexuosa in freshwaters is caused by the inflow of fecund waters, especially following intense precipitation in summertime, as well as by periodic increases in salinity, pH and sulphate levels. The study suggests that potential U. flexuosa blooms in landlocked ecosystems may be controlled by means of reducing the inflow of particularly sulphate-rich waters.

Factors Determining the Distribution of Reophil and Protected Hildenbrandia rivularis (Liebmann) J. Agardh 1851, the Rhodophyta Freshwater Species, in Lowland River Ecosystems

ABSTRACT: The relationships of Hildenbrandia rivularis (Rhodophyta), the species composition of its surroundings detailed environmental variables (water chemistry and hydrological, morphological and bottom features) in a lowland river (Wełna river, Western Poland) was investigated. H. rivularis from 40 stands was tested together with 25 environmental variables and vegetation. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and redundancy analysis (RDA) were used to describe the relations between the species composition and the selected variables. The uniqueness of this protected species is an ability of formation incrustation on rocks but also coexistence with two groups of species: other algae and vascular plants. In study twenty-two plant taxa were recorded in 40 vegetation plots, including 4 macroscopic algae, 2 mosses and 16 vascular plants. The most common H. rivularis co-occurred with Leptodictyum riparium, Fontinalis antipyretica and Nuphar lutea. Most of the studied plots with red algae were characterised by shallow water and strong water velocity. H. rivularis prefers alkaline water with high conductivity. The results of the RDA, after forward selection, demonstrated that pH gradient, optical features such as dissolved organic matter and water colour — control the variation in the floristic communities with H. rivularis. NOMENCLATURE: algae — AlgaeBase (http://www.algaebase.org/, accessed August, 2013), mosses — Ochyra et al. (2003); vascular plants — Mirek et al. (2002).

Diatom assemblages as indicators of salinity gradients: a case study from a coastal lake

Abstract In order to understand the variability of diatoms in coastal lakes and its relationship to salinity, the authors have conducted a two-year study at Lake Resko Przymorskie (the Southern Baltic coast), which has a salinity between 1.9-4.8 PSU. Redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to describe the relationship between the species composition and selected variables. Four of the 10 measured variables of surface water chemistry (Cl- and PO43- concentrations, temperature, and pH) significantly explained 23% of the variation in the diatom species composition. We found 82 taxa of diatoms (mostly tychoplanktonic) and determined the optimum and tolerance levels of salinity for predominant taxa (49 species with minimum 2% abundance). The optimum chloride concentration for the predominant diatoms ranged from 1471 to 2961 mg Cl- l-1. The most abundant brackish water species was Pseudostaurosiropsis geocollegarum. Brackish-freshwater diatoms were represented by Cyclotella atomus, Cyclotella meneghiniana, Diatoma tenuis and Staurosira subsalina. The most abundant fresh-brackish water diatoms were Amphora pediculus, Fragilaria sopotensis, Hippodonta hungarica, Pseudostaurosira brevistriata and Staurosira construens. Freshwater taxa accounted for as little as 1% of the population. This study provides new data on the ecology of coastal lakes and the possibility of using diatom-based transfer functions in the reconstruction of past environmental changes.

Bioaccumulation and toxicity studies of macroalgae (Charophyceae) treated with aluminium: Experimental studies in the context of lake restoration

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of aluminium on the perennial macroalgae Chara hispida L. and its bioaccumulation capacities. Aluminium (Al) was introduced into the environment in the form of polyaluminium chloride, an agent utilized in the restoration of waterbodies. Research was conducted in an experimental setting using mesocosms (volume 0.8m3) placed in the littoral zone of a lake with C. hispida. Three doses of the coagulant were applied, each with a different volume: low - 6.1g Al m-3, medium - 12.2gm-3 and high - 24.5g Al m-3. A significant acidification of environment was determined, which would imply the presence of toxic Al3+ ions. It has been demonstrated that aluminium penetrates and accumulates in the cells of the charophyte. This caused damage to the thalli, which manifested itself in chloroses, necroses, flaking of the cortex cells and softening of the thallus, whose severity was proportionate to the dose of the coagulant. The first negative signs were observed after 24h. The study shows that C. hispida is a poor accumulator of aluminium (bioconcentration factor < 200), while bioaccumulation capacity was inhibited at the concentration of approx. 2.0mg Al g-1 d.w. Accumulation in the thalli of the charophytes accounted for 58% of variation following removal of aluminium from the environment. The results of the experiment demonstrate a negative impact of aluminium on charophytes at concentrations used in aggressive restoration of lakes.