<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The study focused on the relationships between charophytes and the surrounding species composition and environmental factors in a lowland stream (Flinta stream, Western Poland). A total of 32 vegetation plots (4 m × 4 m) and 13 environmental variables were tested. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) were used to describe the relationships between the species composition and the selected variables. Dominance curves of aquatic plants, response curves (GAMs model) of charophytes and other macrophytes to the velocity gradient (the most important environmental factor, the Monte Carlo test) were prepared. In this study, 2 species of charophytes were recorded: Chara vulgaris and Chara globularis and 5 other co-occurring macroscopic algae, 2 mosses and 10 vascular plants. In the studied stream, charophytes occupied the separate niche. Chara vulgaris stands with moss vegetation were found in stream sections with the highest velocity of the water current (0.29 m s-1 mean), and the Chara globularis (with dominant Potamogeton species), preferred sections with the smallest water current velocity (0.19 m s-1 mean). </p>
<p>Charophytes seem to respond to ecological gradients differently from mosses and vascular plants. These differences are related to current velocity, pH, conductivity and organic matter in bottom sediments, and to the niche differentiation associated with them.</p>
</abstract>

The study focused on the relationships between charophytes and the surrounding species composition and environmental factors in a lowland stream (Flinta stream, Western Poland). A total of 32 vegetation plots (4 m × 4 m) and 13 environmental variables were tested. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) were used to describe the relationships between the species composition and the selected variables. Dominance curves of aquatic plants, response curves (GAMs model) of charophytes and other macrophytes to the velocity gradient (the most important environmental factor, the Monte Carlo test) were prepared. In this study, 2 species of charophytes were recorded: Chara vulgaris and Chara globularis and 5 other co-occurring macroscopic algae, 2 mosses and 10 vascular plants. In the studied stream, charophytes occupied the separate niche. Chara vulgaris stands with moss vegetation were found in stream sections with the highest velocity of the water current (0.29 m s-1 mean), and the Chara globularis (with dominant Potamogeton species), preferred sections with the smallest water current velocity (0.19 m s-1 mean). 
Charophytes seem to respond to ecological gradients differently from mosses and vascular plants. These differences are related to current velocity, pH, conductivity and organic matter in bottom sediments, and to the niche differentiation associated with them.

Significance of current velocity gradients for distribution patterns of charophytes versus mosses and vascular plant communities in a lowland stream

Department of Hydrobiology, Institute of Environmental Biology

Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The study focused on the relationships between charophytes and the surrounding species composition and environmental factors in a lowland stream (Flinta...

Significance of current velocity gradients for distribution patterns of charophytes versus mosses and vascular plant communities in a lowland stream

Published Online: Jun 05, 2015

Page range: 139 - 150

Received: Nov 20, 2014

Accepted: Jan 15, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ohs-2015-0014

© Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, Poland

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.