engleski

Anthropogenic impact on benthic macroinvertebrate diversity in the middle reach of Drava River and the accompanying gravel pits

As benthic invertebrates inhabit all types of freshwater habitats often are used as bioindicators, especially in areas of a special interest like Drava River. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to determine the composition of macrozoobenthos in different sites of Drava River and the accompanying gravel pits. Secondly, to determine the impact of water temperature and dissolved oxygen together with anthropogenic pressure on studied communities. The research was conducted at eight stations on the Drava River and at five gravel pits. Sampling in the river was performed every two months from April to December 2012, and at the gravel from July 2013 to March 2014. Analysis of the relationship of macroinvertebrates and physico‐ chemical parameters of water resulted in significant correlation for Hirudinea, Copepoda and Coleoptera. Also, a higher number of clean water indicators, Turbellaria, Hirudinea or Plecoptera, were identified at stations where anthropogenic pressure was the least. At stations where Drava River is canalised or agricultural lands occur Copepoda and Diptera dominated. In gravel that were under strong anthropogenic influence dominated Chironomidae and Hydrachnaellae, unlike in gravel with natural conditions where Ephemeroptera was a dominant group. In conclusion, macrozoobenthos of Drava River and surrounding gravel has shown a high level of biodiversity, but also the sensitivity on different anthropogenic impacts, which indicates the importance of preserving this area.

Drava river; gravel pits; macrozoobenthos; biodiversity; sensitivity 

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