Charophytes of Gornje Podunavlje ponds: Revitalization process aspect

Abstract

Unique marshland area in the Danube floodplain - Special Nature Re­serve Gornje Podunavlje is considered to be one of the last aquatic flora and fauna refuges in the region. The revitalization projects in SNP Gornje Podunavlje started in 2011. They were conducted in order to protect biodiversity and to provide the natural ecosystem. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the present diversity and distribution of the charophytes in five ponds of SNR Gornje Podunavlje, depending on phases of the revitalization process within the ponds. The researched area includes the following ponds: Semenjača, Šarkanj, Široki rit, Sakajtaš and Ribolov. The Široki rit pond was under the process of revitalization during the field surveys, Semenjača and Šarkanj have already been revitalized, and Ribolov and Sakajtaš were not exposed to the revitalization processes at all. The field surveys were conducted monthly, from May to September 2016. Water quality parameters were measured in situ and in laboratory. Ponds differed considerably when it comes to water chemistry; Semenjača and Šarkanj were associated with highest nutrient concentrations, while Široki rit was characterized by highest conductivity and water hardness. The highest diversity was found in Široki rit pond, which was still in process of revitalization when the field survey was conducted. Charophytes were not detected within previously revitalized ponds (Semenjača and Šarkanj). Eight species of charophytes were detected: Chara contraria, Chara globularis, Chara tenuispina, Chara vulgaris, Nitella confervacea, Nitella gracilis, Nitella syncarpa and Tolypella prolifera. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. OI 176020]

Keywords

• charophytes
• diversity
• gornje podunavlje
• revitalization
• shallow ponds