Naslov
Zooplankton in Mediterranean ponds – implications for conservation measures

Autori
Dražina, Tvrtko ; Špoljar, Maria ; Fiorentin, Claudia ; Polović, Luka ; Bućan, Denis ; Hudina, Tomislav

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
SEFS11 Abstract book / Sertić Perić, Mirela ; Miliša, Marko ; Gračan, Romana ; Ivković, Marija ; Buj, Ivana ; Mičetić Stanković, Vlatka - Zagreb : Hrvatsko udruženje slatkovodnih ekologa (HUSEk), 2019, 159-159

Skup
11th Symposium for European Freshwater Sciences (SEFS11)

Mjesto i datum
Zagreb, Hrvatska, 30.06.2019. - 05.07.2019

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Rotifera, Copepoda, Cladocera, temporary ponds, succession

Sažetak
Small water bodies e.g. ponds have several important ecosystem functions, such as landscape heterogeneity and increase of local and regional biodiversity. Shallow ponds are often only freshwater habitats on Mediterranean islands. We sampled zooplankton (Rotifera, Cladocera, Copepoda) together with macrozoobenthos, fish and macrophytes in twenty small ponds situated on Rab, Dugi otok and Korčula island (Adriatic Sea, Croatia, Europe). Also, water samples were collected in order to obtain detailed physico-chemical parameters. The main aims were to determine impact of top predators (fish or invertebrates), and main abiotic factors that shaped zooplankton in small ponds. Fish presence strongly reduced zooplankton density and diversity, and especially negatively affected Cladocera and Copepoda. Macrophytes had dual influence on zooplankton: dense macrophyte coverage supported high density of semiplanktonic species, while low macrophyte coverage provided high density of euplanktonic rotifers and cladocerans. Also, macrophytes diminished predatory influence of macrozoobenthos on plankton assemblage. Out of abiotic factors, increased salinity was most important factor and it negatively affected species diversity. Our results have shown that fishless ponds with mixture of macrophyte stands and open water support higher invertebrate diversity. Habitat heterogeneity is one of the most important driver in formation of “healthy” ponds and in slowing down inevitable succession. Thus, maintaining of mosaic habitats should be considered as one of the key elements in future conservation and management of small isolated ponds.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

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