Sophia Barinova

The charophytes of Israel: historical and contemporary species richness, distribution, and ecology

Abstract The historical and contemporary species richness, distribution, and ecology of Israel charophytes are described. The first charophyte collection in this region was made in the 19th century. Almost all reported localities were found earlier than 1970; some of them were not described. At the end of the 20th century, only two localities of two species were reported. According to the literature, 13 species, including two undetermined species of Chara, and nearly 23 exact localities are known from Northern and Central Israel. We found seven species and one variety of charophytes in 23 new localities in eight river drainage basins from six ecological regions of Israel during the period extending from 2001-2011. One genus n Tolypella, and two species n Chara intermedia and Tolypella glomerata, were found for the first time in Israel. There are 15 species and four genera of charophytes known from the studied territory based on published and original data. The common habitats of charophytes in Israel are river channels, pools, and, especially, artificial water bodies. The Chara vulgaris var. longibracteata, C. gymnophylla and C. contraria are the most frequently encountered species. The species ecology is briefly characterized by selected environmental variables. It may be that charophytes are rather rare plants in Israel and that their distribution in space and time is strongly variable due to the absence of large water bodies in this region, great variability of natural environmental conditions and severe continuous transformations of the environment by human activity for millennia.

Algal indicator system of environmental variables in the Hadera River basin, central Israel

Abstract We identified 126 species of algae and cyanoprokaryotes from seven divisions in 21 samples of plankton and periphyton collected at 8 stations over the Hadera River in 2003 – 2005. The chlorophytes strongly prevail. Of these, 110 species are indicators of environmental conditions. The indicators of saprobity (Watanabes scale) show a medium level of organic pollution. The saprobity index S (Sládeceks scale) varies from 1.73 to 2.80, corresponding to II – IV classes of water quality. The environmental pollution index (EPI) varies from 2 to 5 indicating a range of slightly to strongly polluted water of classes III and IV. The Water Ecosystem State Index, WESI = 0.6, testifies to a toxic impact on the algae in the middle reaches. The River Pollution Index for saprobity (RPIs = 2.35 – 2.42), temperature (RPIt = 17.1 in winter), conductivity (RPIε = 3.31 – 4.5), nitric nitrogen (RPIN = 15.3), and pH (RPIpH = 7.6 – 8.3) indicate alkaline, moderately mineralized waters with an occasional input of nitrates all year round, corresponding to classes III – IV of water quality, and the beta- to alfa-mesosaprobic self-purification zone. According to our results, the self-purification capacity of the Hadera River ecosystem is rather high. This study shows the potential of the algal bioindication method for aquatic ecosystems of Israel.

Diversity and ecology of algae from the Nahal Qishon river, northern Israel

In 59 samples of periphyton and phytoplankton collected in 2002 - 2003 from the Nahal Qishon (Qishon River), northern Israel, we found 178 species from seven divisions of algae and cyanoprocaryotes. Diatoms, clorophytes, and cyanoprocaryotes prevail. Nitzschia and Navicula (Bacillariophyta) are the most abundant. Most of the species are cosmopolitan or widespread, except Lagynion janei (Chrysophyta), which is endemic for the Mediterranean Realm. About 17% of species (26) are new for Israel and five of them represent the first recorded genera: Crinalium endophyticum Crow, Actinocyclus normanii (Gregory) Hustedt, Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum (Agardh) Kütz (Chlorophyta), Lagynion janei Bourelly, and Stylococcus aureus Chodat. Most of them come from a rare riverine assemblage with red alga Audouinella pygmea, as well as from the estuarine assemblage. Alkaliphiles predominate among the indicators of acidity, with few acidophiles confined to the communities under the impact of industrial wastes. Among the indicators of salinity, most numerous are the oligohalobien-indifferents and species adapted to a moderate salinity level. The relative species richness of ecological groups and the indices of saprobity are correlated with changes in conductivity, pH, and N-nitrate concentration. Indicators of organic pollution fall in the range of betameso- to alfamesosaprobic self-purification grades. Our studies show ecological significance of the Nahal Qishon as a model for a strongly disturbed aquatic ecosystem in the coastal zone of eastern Mediterranean.

Comparative analysis of algal biodiversity in the rivers of Israel

Comparative analysis of algal communities in the rivers of Israel was completed to highlight the influence of environmental variables on biodiversity. The study revealed that 671 species of algae and cyanobacteria belonging to nine taxonomic divisions were present during 2002–2009 in the Yarqon, Alexander, Hadera, Qishon, Oren, Lower and Upper Jordan, and Zin rivers. The species richness of each river was evaluated by taxonomic structural comparison, geobotanical, hierarchical cluster analysis, and the degree of relatedness for different levels of taxonomic resolution. The analysis revealed close similarity of the Upper Jordan and Oren rivers. The average taxonomic distinctness index showed that the Yarqon, Oren, Upper Jordan, and Qishon communities were partly degraded due to permanent environmental disturbances. The variation in taxonomic distinctness index showed that the Alexander, Yarqon and Hadera communities were formed not only due to anthropogenic factors but also through long-term climatic impact. The most abundant indicator species inhabit low streaming and standing alkaline waters of medium salinity and low to medium organic pollution. The statistical approaches allowed discrimination between climatic and anthropogenic factors that impact upon the riverine biodiversity in semi-arid environments. Analysis shows the influence of anthropogenic factors was strongly modulated by climatic impacts causing a marked decease of species richness from north to south.

Diatom diversity and ecological variables in the Arctic lakes of the Kostyanoi Nos Cape (Nenetsky Natural Reserve, Russian North)

We identified 185 diatom species in 87 samples collected from 17 Arctic lakes of the Kostyanoi Nos Cape in July 2003. Species richness varies from 9 to 97 per lake with Aulacoseira islandica (O.F. Müller) Simonsen, Fragilariamesolepta Rabenhorst, Psammothidium subatomoides (Hustedt) L. Bukhtiyarova and Round as dominant species. Bioindication attests to preponderance of temperate, moderately oxygenated, low-to-moderate organic-enriched alkaline, and circumneutral low saline water. Oligotrophic to mesotrophic state correlates with the type of sediments and low organic pollution (saprobity index 0.81–1.73 and Classes 2–3 of water quality). The diatom assemblages contain cosmopolitan species accompanied by the large group of 45 boreal species including 28 Arctic–alpine taxa. Canonical correspondence analysis shows conductivity and the type of sediments being the most important variables. Multivariate regression testifies to importance of depth and area of the lake. The community level analysis reveals four groups correlated with species richness, type of sediments, pH, and salinity. Potential species richness is estimated as 800 species square kilometer based on species–area relationships. Since the diatom assemblages of Arctic lakes are sensitive to climate warming and associated changes of salinity and trophic conditions, they are under high risk of extinction, the diversity losses being scarcely compensated by the rise of tolerant species.

The influence of the monsoon climate on phytoplankton in the Shibpukur pool of Shiva temple in Burdwan, West Bengal, India

Abstract A total of 44 taxa were observed in monthly sampled phytoplankton of the Shibpukur pool in Burdwan, West Bengal between March, 2010 and February, 2011. The most abundant taxa belong to Charophyta, followed by cyanobacteria, diatoms and euglenoids. Bio-indication shows that the pool community preferred low alkaline, low mineralized and low organically polluted water. The total phytoplankton density showed its maximum values in May, 2010. The Shannon-Weaver diversity index and the Pielou evenness value were found to be highest during the post-monsoon season. The Simpson dominance index and the Margalef index of richness were highest in the pre-monsoon season. The total phytoplankton density showed a highly significant positive correlation with pH and salinity and significant positive correlation with air temperature, water temperature, dissolved oxygen and total suspended solids. Among the reported 44 phytoplankton taxa only 3 showed a random distributional pattern. The Bray-Curtis Cluster analysis and the comparative statistics reveal two groups of phytoplankton assemblages in respect to the monsoon seasons. The successive communities form a continuum corresponding to Colwell’s Constancy (C) category. The calculated indices, CCA, and bio-indication analysis exhibit a low pollution level in the Shibpukur pool that can be used as a model of aquatic community dynamics under seasonal fluctuation in the monsoon climate, applicable for monitoring of water bodies in the West Bengal Province

Ecological Adaptation to Altitude of Algal Communities in the Swat Valley (Hindu Cush Mountains, Pakistan)

Ecological Adaptation to Altitude of Algal Communities in the Swat Valley (Hindu Cush Mountains, Pakistan) The biodiversity of algal communities in the Hindu Cush Mountain areas was formed under natural climatic and anthropogenic impacts. The algal diversity in the rivers of the southern Hindu Cush region is, however, still under investigated. While algal communities of some rivers and parks in Pakistan were sporadically studied, ourknowledge of regional algal distribution is far from exhaustive. The Swat River Valley is located in an inaccessible mountainous area and has therefore been insufficiently studied.

Phytoplankton communities in ecological assessment of the Southern Bug River upper reaches (Ukraine)

Abstract We conducted an environmental assessment for the first time in the upper reaches of the Southern Bug River utilizing data on phytoplankton communities and hydrochemistry. Chlorophyta (40%), Bacillariophyta (19%), and Euglenophyta (18%) were among nine identified divisions of common phytoplankters which included 281 taxa. The results of a statistical comparison of species richness showed that the investigated part of the river can be divided into two parts for follow-up monitoring. Class II-III waters reflect a trophic status equivalent to an oligo- to meso-trophic state. Using algal indicators as well as environmental variables and statistical methods we identified major factors impacting the algal communities, such as phosphate and ammonia.

Algal communities of the Hadera River (Israel) under dramatic niche changes

The Hadera River is the most polluted among the Mediterranean coastal rivers of Israel due to abundant E. coli, high concentrations of heavy metals and nutrients, and high temperatures. In 2003–2008 we found 191 species of algae and cyanobacteria belonging to seven taxonomic divisions. The upper reaches were dominated by cyanobacteria and exhibited levels of toxic pollution. Downstream, the ecological niches of algal communities dramatically changed: upper stream diversity first increased and then decreased due to the influx of rainwater in the tidal zone during winter. On one hand, seasonal dynamics show that in winter, inorganic contamination was reduced because of dilution by the influx of rainwater, but, on the other hand, organic pollution increased from agriculture. Down the river, diversity increases and the community composition undergoes considerable change. In summer, algal blooms indicate a reduction of stress and aid in the river’s self-purification. The WESI indices and RPI show steady year-round stressful conditions for algal photosynthesis with increasing instability in the river. Perpetuation of the current situation would disturb the self-purification capacity of the river ecosystem through destruction of biotic components. Statistical analysis (CCA) reveals the impact of wastewater as the most important stress factor for the Hadera River ecosystem, which is an exceptionally strong example of self-purification.

Ecological assessment of wetland ecosystems of northern Kazakhstan on the basis of hydrochemistry and algal biodiversity

Ecological assessment of wetland ecosystems of northern Kazakhstan on the basis of hydrochemistry and algal biodiversity We studied diversity of algae and cyanobacteria in the wetlands of protected natural lakes with salinity ranging from 0.19 up to 32.7 in the arid/semiarid regions of Northern Kazakhstan. In plankton and periphyton of 34 lakes, we found 254 species belonging to 113 genera of 8 algal divisions. The diversity in arid regions is represented by widespread species of diatoms, green algae, and cyanobacteria in similar proportions. Alkaliphiles, among the indicators of acidification, and betamesosaprobionts, among the indicators of saprobity, predominated. The indices of saprobity in lakes varied from 1.47 to 2.7, reflecting low-trophic and low anthropogenically disturbed wetlands. Oligohalobes-indifferents are most common. Highly diverse algal communities were found irrespective of various levels of mineralization. As a consequence of aridization, salinity increase suppressed algal diversity. The mineralization was the most important variable defining the diversity levels, irrespective of the type and location of wetland lakes in the arid regions.