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Dr Marco Cantonati is a Research Scientist/Section Leader (Limnology and Phycology) at the MUSE—Museo delle Scienze (Trento, Italy). Since November 2017, he is also a Research Associate of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA, USA). His main research interests are freshwater ecology, springs, biodiversity, ecological effects of climate and environmental change, long-term ecological research, periphyton, bioassessment, and Water-Level Fluctuations. He is Associate Editor/EBM of four international journals (Water, Wetlands, Phycologia, Journal of Limnology), frequent Guest Editor of special issues (Water, Freshwater Science, STOTEN, ECOLIND), and ad hoc reviewer for 83 journals. He has published 105 papers in ISI international journals with IF, and participated as coordinator/ WP leader in 30 projects. He has a Venia docendi (Central European Habilitation) in Limnology (Inst. Bot., Univ. Innsbruck, Austria), Italian University-Teaching Habilitations (tenurability certifications) in Plant Sciences and in Ecology, and has been an Adjunct Professor of Biology of Photoautotrophic Organisms at the University of Trento (2014).
Present-day information available on the charophyte macroalgae in Egypt, including their phylogenetic affinities, remains largely incomplete. In this study, nine charophyte populations were collected from different aquatic biotopes across the Egyptian Western-Desert Oases and Sinai Peninsula. All populations were investigated using an integrative polyphasic approach including phylogenetic analyses inferred from the chloroplast-encoded gene (rbcL) and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) regions, in parallel with morphotaxonomic assignment, ultrastructure of the oospore walls, and autecology. The specimens identified belonged to the genera Chara, Nitella, and Tolypella, with predominance of the first genus to which five species were assigned though they presented some interesting aberrant taxonomic features: C. aspera, C. contraria, C. globata, C. tomentosa, and C. vulgaris. Based on our integrative study, the globally rare species C. globata was reported for the second time for the whole African continent. The genus Nitella was only represented by N. flagellifera, and based on the available literature, it is a new record for North Africa. Noteworthy, an interesting Tolypella sp., morphologically very similar to T. glomerata, was collected and characterized and finally designated with the working name ‘Tolypella sp. PBA–1704 from a desert, freshwater wetland’, mainly based on its concatenated rbcL+ITS1 phylogenetic position. This study not only improved our understanding on the diversity, biogeography and autecological preferences of charophytes in Egypt, but it also broadened our knowledge on this vulnerable algal group in North Africa, emphasizing the need of more in-depth research work in the future, particularly in the less–impacted desert habitats.
Abdullah Saber; Andrey Gontcharov; Arthur Nikulin; Vyacheslav Nikulin; Walaa Rayan; Marco Cantonati. Integrative Taxonomic, Ecological and Genotyping Study of Charophyte Populations from the Egyptian Western-Desert Oases and Sinai Peninsula. Plants 2021, 10, 1157 .
AMA StyleAbdullah Saber, Andrey Gontcharov, Arthur Nikulin, Vyacheslav Nikulin, Walaa Rayan, Marco Cantonati. Integrative Taxonomic, Ecological and Genotyping Study of Charophyte Populations from the Egyptian Western-Desert Oases and Sinai Peninsula. Plants. 2021; 10 (6):1157.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAbdullah Saber; Andrey Gontcharov; Arthur Nikulin; Vyacheslav Nikulin; Walaa Rayan; Marco Cantonati. 2021. "Integrative Taxonomic, Ecological and Genotyping Study of Charophyte Populations from the Egyptian Western-Desert Oases and Sinai Peninsula." Plants 10, no. 6: 1157.
Water resources and associated ecosystems are becoming highly endangered due to ongoing global environmental changes. Spatial ecological modelling is a promising toolbox for understanding the past, present and future distribution and diversity patterns in groundwater-dependent ecosystems, such as fens, springs, streams, reed beds or wet grasslands. Still, the lack of detailed water chemistry maps prevents the use of reasonable models to be applied on continental and global scales. Being major determinants of biological composition and diversity of groundwater-dependent ecosystems, groundwater pH and calcium are of utmost importance. Here we developed an up-to-date European map of groundwater pH and Ca, based on 7577 measurements of near-surface groundwater pH and calcium distributed across Europe. In comparison to the existing European groundwater maps, we included several times more sites, especially in the regions rich in spring and fen habitats, and filled the apparent gaps in eastern and southeastern Europe. We used random forest models and regression kriging to create continuous maps of water pH and calcium at the continental scale, which is freely available also as a raster map (Hájek et al., 2020b; https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4139912). Lithology had a higher importance than climate for both pH and calcium. The previously recognised latitudinal and altitudinal gradients were rediscovered with much refined regional patterns, as associated with bedrock variation. For ecological models of distribution and diversity of many terrestrial ecosystems, our new map based on field groundwater measurements is more suitable than maps of soil pH, which mirror not only bedrock chemistry but also vegetation-dependent soil processes.
Michal Hájek; Borja Jiménez-Alfaro; Ondřej Hájek; Lisa Brancaleoni; Marco Cantonati; Michele Carbognani; Anita Dedić; Daniel Dítě; Renato Gerdol; Petra Hájková; Veronika Horsáková; Florian Jansen; Jasmina Kamberović; Jutta Kapfer; Tiina Hilkka Maria Kolari; Mariusz Lamentowicz; Predrag Lazarević; Ermin Mašić; Jesper Erenskjold Moeslund; Aaron Pérez-Haase; Tomáš Peterka; Alessandro Petraglia; Eulàlia Pladevall-Izard; Zuzana Plesková; Stefano Segadelli; Yuliya Semeniuk; Patrícia Singh; Anna Šímová; Eva Šmerdová; Teemu Tahvanainen; Marcello Tomaselli; Yuliya Vystavna; Claudia Biţă-Nicolae; Michal Horsák. A European map of groundwater pH and calcium. Earth System Science Data 2021, 13, 1089 -1105.
AMA StyleMichal Hájek, Borja Jiménez-Alfaro, Ondřej Hájek, Lisa Brancaleoni, Marco Cantonati, Michele Carbognani, Anita Dedić, Daniel Dítě, Renato Gerdol, Petra Hájková, Veronika Horsáková, Florian Jansen, Jasmina Kamberović, Jutta Kapfer, Tiina Hilkka Maria Kolari, Mariusz Lamentowicz, Predrag Lazarević, Ermin Mašić, Jesper Erenskjold Moeslund, Aaron Pérez-Haase, Tomáš Peterka, Alessandro Petraglia, Eulàlia Pladevall-Izard, Zuzana Plesková, Stefano Segadelli, Yuliya Semeniuk, Patrícia Singh, Anna Šímová, Eva Šmerdová, Teemu Tahvanainen, Marcello Tomaselli, Yuliya Vystavna, Claudia Biţă-Nicolae, Michal Horsák. A European map of groundwater pH and calcium. Earth System Science Data. 2021; 13 (3):1089-1105.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichal Hájek; Borja Jiménez-Alfaro; Ondřej Hájek; Lisa Brancaleoni; Marco Cantonati; Michele Carbognani; Anita Dedić; Daniel Dítě; Renato Gerdol; Petra Hájková; Veronika Horsáková; Florian Jansen; Jasmina Kamberović; Jutta Kapfer; Tiina Hilkka Maria Kolari; Mariusz Lamentowicz; Predrag Lazarević; Ermin Mašić; Jesper Erenskjold Moeslund; Aaron Pérez-Haase; Tomáš Peterka; Alessandro Petraglia; Eulàlia Pladevall-Izard; Zuzana Plesková; Stefano Segadelli; Yuliya Semeniuk; Patrícia Singh; Anna Šímová; Eva Šmerdová; Teemu Tahvanainen; Marcello Tomaselli; Yuliya Vystavna; Claudia Biţă-Nicolae; Michal Horsák. 2021. "A European map of groundwater pH and calcium." Earth System Science Data 13, no. 3: 1089-1105.
In freshwater ecosystems, periphytic biofilms include diatom assemblages that depend on environmental conditions (e.g., nutrient concentrations, salinity, temperature etc.). These assemblages respond rapidly to environmental changes, which makes diatoms valuable bioindicators. For this reason, they are currently used in freshwater biomonitoring programs (e.g., EU Water Framework Directive - WFD) (Foster et al., 2000). To date, diatom taxonomic identification is based on morphological criteria, which requires high taxonomic expertise to identify them to the species level needed for biomonitoring. Having this in mind, new strategies have been examined for the development of high-throughput, non-biased identification approaches. Human activities are the leading cause of environmental impairments and appropriate biomonitoring of ecosystems is needed to effectively assess the impact of their activities. In the last ten years, DNA metabarcoding combined with next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics, have been proposed as a complementary approach to morphological identification. In the past ten years, DNA metabarcoding coupled with next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics represents a complementary approach for diatom biomonitoring (Vasselon et al., 2019). In this study, this approach was used for the first time in Cyprus considering the association of environmental and anthropogenic pressures to diatom assemblages using the rbcL 312 bp barcode, next-generation sequencing (MiSeq Illumina), and bioinformatic evaluation (Mothur Software). Statistical analysis was then applied to identify the environmental (i.e., river types, geo-morphological) and anthropogenic (i.e., physical, chemical, human land-use pressures) variables' role in the observed diatom diversity. The Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS) index was used as it was shown to better respond to pressures that affect water quality in Cyprus rivers (WDD, 2014). Results indicate differences in diatom assemblages between intermittent and perennial rivers. Achnanthidium minutissimum was more abundant in intermittent rivers; whereas Amphora pediculus and Planothidium victorii (P. caputium) in perennial ones. Furthermore, we could demonstrate the correlation between nutrients (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus), characteristics of the individual sampling sites (e.g., elevation), and land use activities on the observed differences in diatom diversity (Pissaridou, 2021). Additionally, results were compared to the morphotaxonomy-based approach which was conducted microscopically. Results show a positive correlation between morphological and molecular IPS scores. Points deviating from the norm are influenced by the limitations of both techniques. Fistulifera saprophila had a key role in this observation, as it negatively influences IPS scores. All in all, we conclude that DNA metabarcoding complements the morphological methodology for the ecological quality assessment of freshwaters in Cyprus. Multi-stressors and anthropogenic pressures have a significant statistical relationship to the observed diatom diversity and play a pivotal role in determining Cyprus' rivers' ecological status (Fig. 1). Foster, D., Wood, A., Griffiths, M., 2000. The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) – An introduction Dave Foster – Policy Advisor (Europe), Aram Wood EP Scientist (Water), Dr Martin Griffiths – Head of Water Quality, Environment Agency, Head Office, Rio House, Waterside Drive, Aztec West, Almon 7–9. Pissaridou, P., Vasselon V., Christou A., Chonova T., Lacroix S., Papatheodoulou A., Drakou K., Tziortzis I., Dörflinger G., Rimet F., Bouchez A. and Vasquez MI. 2021 Deciphering Cyprus’ diatom diversity and the effects of environmental and anthropogenic influences for ecological assessment of rivers using DNA metabarcoding.Chemosphere (In Press) Vasselon, V., Frédéric, R., Isabelle, D., Olivier, M., Yorick, R., Agnès, B., 2019. Assessing pollution of aquatic environments with diatoms’ DNA metabarcoding: Experience and developments from France Water Framework Directive networks. Metabarcoding and Metagenomics 3, 101–115. https://doi.org/10.3897/mbmg.3.39646 WDD, 2014. Review and update of article 5 of Directive 2000/60/EC (Water reservoirs) & Classification of water status (Rivers, natural lakes and water reservoirs), That will establish baseline information and data for the 2nd cyprus river basin management plan.
Panayiota Pissaridou; Agnès Bouchez; Marlen Vasquez Hadjilyra; Valentin Vasselon; Andreas Christou; Teofana Chonova; Katerina Drakou; Frederic Rimet; Marco Cantonati; Gerald Dörflinger; Iakovos Tziortzis. Morphotaxonomy- and metabarcoding-based ecological assessment of Cyprus streams’ diatom communities and correlation with environmental and anthropogenic influences. ARPHA Conference Abstracts 2021, 4, e64962 .
AMA StylePanayiota Pissaridou, Agnès Bouchez, Marlen Vasquez Hadjilyra, Valentin Vasselon, Andreas Christou, Teofana Chonova, Katerina Drakou, Frederic Rimet, Marco Cantonati, Gerald Dörflinger, Iakovos Tziortzis. Morphotaxonomy- and metabarcoding-based ecological assessment of Cyprus streams’ diatom communities and correlation with environmental and anthropogenic influences. ARPHA Conference Abstracts. 2021; 4 ():e64962.
Chicago/Turabian StylePanayiota Pissaridou; Agnès Bouchez; Marlen Vasquez Hadjilyra; Valentin Vasselon; Andreas Christou; Teofana Chonova; Katerina Drakou; Frederic Rimet; Marco Cantonati; Gerald Dörflinger; Iakovos Tziortzis. 2021. "Morphotaxonomy- and metabarcoding-based ecological assessment of Cyprus streams’ diatom communities and correlation with environmental and anthropogenic influences." ARPHA Conference Abstracts 4, no. : e64962.
Peatland is a major carbon (C) sink, sequestering more atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) than any other terrestrial ecosystem. Peatlands, and especially bogs, are typically nutrient-poor environments, extremely sensitive to increases in nitrogen (N) deposition. In fact, increasing N content often causes a shift from a moss- to a vascular-plant-dominated vegetation resulting in lower C sequestration rates and/or mobilization of N and C stored in peat by promoting microbial activity. Peatlands are also very selective environments (sub-oxic to anoxic conditions, acidic pH, low N), and thus important habitats for nature conservation because of the occurrence of specifically adapted organisms. Peatlands cover ca. 3% of the world’s land surface but Europe lost >60% of this habitat type in the last decades. Moreover, in Italy they are in a marginal position from the phytogeographical standpoint.
Cattle grazing and trampling is a cause of peatland degradation resulting in peat compaction, shift in plant and microbial community composition, and N inputs in form of excreta. In Alpine peatlands overgrazing has been identified as a main problem for habitat integrity and biodiversity.
In the present work, 50-cm deep Belarus cores were collected from the Canton di Ritorto peatland (Adamello-Brenta Nature Park, Trentino, Italy) along a grazing-induced disturbance gradient. The study site has a bog-like vegetation; common species are Pinus mugo, Carex pauciflora, C. echinata, Eriophorum vaginatum, Vaccinium uliginosum, and many Sphagnum species including S. capillifolium, S. medium, S. subfulvum, S. subnites. Peat thickness ranges between 40-160 cm, while electrical conductivity and pH at the surface range between 10-31 µS/cm and 4.0-5.2, respectively.
Cores were cut frozen into 3-cm sections, and analysed for bulk density, water and ash content, and elemental composition (C, N and S). Moreover, diatom taphocoenoses were studied in two peat cores (i.e., the most affected by grazing and the control), investigating alternate slices (i.e., at 6-cm resolution). Diatoms were prepared using hot hydrogen peroxide and/or muffling, and finally embedded in the Naphrax© resin to produce permanent mounts for identifications and counts. The whole procedure was kept quantitative to allow not only the assessment of the per cent composition of taphocoenoses, but also the calculation of absolute abundances (N-valves/g-peat-dw).
Preliminary data show that small-scale grazing significantly lowered water content (by 5-10%) and gravimetric water content (by 30-50%), and increased bulk density (1.5-2.2x) compared to the control. Moreover, N concentration was 2-to-3 times higher in grazing-affected sites. Differences between cores affected by grazing and the control were evident in the top 20 cm, whereas no significant differences were observed below 30 cm of depth. More than 80 diatom species were identified throughout the two cores. Several of these are included in threat categories of the Red List for central Europe, and we could also identify a putative species new to science, which is being characterized and described. Some species that tolerate moderate nutrient enrichment were found in the core at the "grazed" extreme of the gradient, whilst several species sensitive to organic pollution were detected only (or were clearly more frequent) in the control.
Marco Cantonati; Daniel Spitale; Emma Donini; Giorgio Galluzzi; Nicola Angeli; Claudio Zaccone. Using diatoms and physical and chemical parameters to unveil cow-pasture impact in peat cores from a mountain mire in the south-eastern Alps. 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleMarco Cantonati, Daniel Spitale, Emma Donini, Giorgio Galluzzi, Nicola Angeli, Claudio Zaccone. Using diatoms and physical and chemical parameters to unveil cow-pasture impact in peat cores from a mountain mire in the south-eastern Alps. . 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Cantonati; Daniel Spitale; Emma Donini; Giorgio Galluzzi; Nicola Angeli; Claudio Zaccone. 2021. "Using diatoms and physical and chemical parameters to unveil cow-pasture impact in peat cores from a mountain mire in the south-eastern Alps." , no. : 1.
Freshwaters face multiple environmental problems including eutrophication, acidification, salinization, and climate-change, all of which can lead to impairment of ecosystem structure and function. Furthermore, these stressors often act in combination. Benthic algal-based assessments to quantify impairment are used in both the EU and US. In this review, we use case studies, experience, and the literature to compare concepts, approaches, and methods between the EU and US to offer an updated picture of benthic algal-based assessments. Both the US and EU are composed of numerous constituent states having considerable flexibility to adopt individual methods. The goal of this work is to synthesize the various approaches that are used across the EU and US. Specifically, we compare and contrast benthic algal assessment performed in response to core legislation – the Water Framework Directive in the EU and the Clean Water Act in the US, with a particular focus on the steps taken to ensure consistency at different stages of the process. This includes consideration of approaches to sampling design and field methods, taxonomic resolution and laboratory harmonization, metric selection and choice of algal groups, assessment of stressors and stressor/response relationships. A number of commonalities emerged during this process, particularly the focus on diatoms over other algal groups. However, there are also a number of key differences, including more widespread use of multimetric indices in the US compared with the EU. Finally, we consider emerging opportunities, including the potential for using metagenomic approaches for bioassessment in the future.
Donald F. Charles; Martyn G. Kelly; R. Jan Stevenson; Sandra Poikane; Susanna Theroux; Aleksandra Zgrundo; Marco Cantonati. Benthic algae assessments in the EU and the US: Striving for consistency in the face of great ecological diversity. Ecological Indicators 2020, 121, 107082 .
AMA StyleDonald F. Charles, Martyn G. Kelly, R. Jan Stevenson, Sandra Poikane, Susanna Theroux, Aleksandra Zgrundo, Marco Cantonati. Benthic algae assessments in the EU and the US: Striving for consistency in the face of great ecological diversity. Ecological Indicators. 2020; 121 ():107082.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDonald F. Charles; Martyn G. Kelly; R. Jan Stevenson; Sandra Poikane; Susanna Theroux; Aleksandra Zgrundo; Marco Cantonati. 2020. "Benthic algae assessments in the EU and the US: Striving for consistency in the face of great ecological diversity." Ecological Indicators 121, no. : 107082.
Michal Hájek; Borja Jiménez-Alfaro; Ondřej Hájek; Lisa Brancaleoni; Marco Cantonati; Michele Carbognani; Anita Dedić; Daniel Dítě; Renato Gerdol; Petra Hájková; Veronika Horsáková; Florian Jansen; Jasmina Kamberović; Jutta Kapfer; Tiina Kolari; Mariusz Lamentowicz; Predrag Lazarević; Ermin Mašić; Jesper Erenskjold Moeslund; Aaron Pérez-Haase; Tomáš Peterka; Alessandro Petraglia; Eulàlia Pladevall-Izard; Zuzana Plesková; Stefano Segadelli; Yuliya Semeniuk; Patrícia Singh; Anna Šímová; Eva Šmerdová; Teemu Tahvanainen; Marcello Tomaselli; Yuliya Vystavna; Claudia Biţă-Nicolae; Michal Horsák. Supplementary material to "A European map of groundwater pH and calcium". 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleMichal Hájek, Borja Jiménez-Alfaro, Ondřej Hájek, Lisa Brancaleoni, Marco Cantonati, Michele Carbognani, Anita Dedić, Daniel Dítě, Renato Gerdol, Petra Hájková, Veronika Horsáková, Florian Jansen, Jasmina Kamberović, Jutta Kapfer, Tiina Kolari, Mariusz Lamentowicz, Predrag Lazarević, Ermin Mašić, Jesper Erenskjold Moeslund, Aaron Pérez-Haase, Tomáš Peterka, Alessandro Petraglia, Eulàlia Pladevall-Izard, Zuzana Plesková, Stefano Segadelli, Yuliya Semeniuk, Patrícia Singh, Anna Šímová, Eva Šmerdová, Teemu Tahvanainen, Marcello Tomaselli, Yuliya Vystavna, Claudia Biţă-Nicolae, Michal Horsák. Supplementary material to "A European map of groundwater pH and calcium". . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichal Hájek; Borja Jiménez-Alfaro; Ondřej Hájek; Lisa Brancaleoni; Marco Cantonati; Michele Carbognani; Anita Dedić; Daniel Dítě; Renato Gerdol; Petra Hájková; Veronika Horsáková; Florian Jansen; Jasmina Kamberović; Jutta Kapfer; Tiina Kolari; Mariusz Lamentowicz; Predrag Lazarević; Ermin Mašić; Jesper Erenskjold Moeslund; Aaron Pérez-Haase; Tomáš Peterka; Alessandro Petraglia; Eulàlia Pladevall-Izard; Zuzana Plesková; Stefano Segadelli; Yuliya Semeniuk; Patrícia Singh; Anna Šímová; Eva Šmerdová; Teemu Tahvanainen; Marcello Tomaselli; Yuliya Vystavna; Claudia Biţă-Nicolae; Michal Horsák. 2020. "Supplementary material to "A European map of groundwater pH and calcium"." , no. : 1.
Water resources and associated ecosystems are becoming highly endangered due to ongoing global environmental changes. Spatial ecological modelling is a widely used tool for understanding the past, present and future distribution and diversity patterns in groundwater-dependent ecosystems, such as fens, springs, streams, reed beds or wet grasslands. Still, the lack of detailed water chemistry maps prevents their reasonable use on continental and global scales. Being major determinants of biological composition and diversity of groundwater-dependent ecosystems, groundwater pH and calcium are of utmost importance. Here we developed the up-to-date European map of groundwater pH and Ca, based on 7,577 measurements of near-surface groundwater pH and calcium distributed across Europe. In comparison to the existing European groundwater maps, we included a several times larger number of sites, especially in the regions rich in spring and fen habitats, and filled the apparent gaps in Eastern and Southeastern Europe. We used Random Forest models and regression kriging to create continuous maps of water pH and calcium at the continental scale, which is freely available also as a raster map (Hájek et al. 2020; https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4139912). Lithology had higher importance than climate for both pH and calcium. The previously recognised latitudinal and altitudinal gradients were rediscovered with much refined regional patterns, as associated with bedrock variation. For ecological models of distribution and diversity of groundwater-dependent, but also other terrestrial, ecosystems, the new map is more suitable than previously used maps of soil pH, unlike which it mirrors bedrock chemistry more than vegetation-dependent soil processes.
Michal Hájek; Borja Jiménez-Alfaro; Ondřej Hájek; Lisa Brancaleoni; Marco Cantonati; Michele Carbognani; Anita Dedić; Daniel Dítě; Renato Gerdol; Petra Hájková; Veronika Horsáková; Florian Jansen; Jasmina Kamberović; Jutta Kapfer; Tiina Kolari; Mariusz Lamentowicz; Predrag Lazarević; Ermin Mašić; Jesper Erenskjold Moeslund; Aaron Pérez-Haase; Tomáš Peterka; Alessandro Petraglia; Eulàlia Pladevall-Izard; Zuzana Plesková; Stefano Segadelli; Yuliya Semeniuk; Patrícia Singh; Anna Šímová; Eva Šmerdová; Teemu Tahvanainen; Marcello Tomaselli; Yuliya Vystavna; Claudia Biţă-Nicolae; Michal Horsák. A European map of groundwater pH and calcium. 2020, 2020, 1 -41.
AMA StyleMichal Hájek, Borja Jiménez-Alfaro, Ondřej Hájek, Lisa Brancaleoni, Marco Cantonati, Michele Carbognani, Anita Dedić, Daniel Dítě, Renato Gerdol, Petra Hájková, Veronika Horsáková, Florian Jansen, Jasmina Kamberović, Jutta Kapfer, Tiina Kolari, Mariusz Lamentowicz, Predrag Lazarević, Ermin Mašić, Jesper Erenskjold Moeslund, Aaron Pérez-Haase, Tomáš Peterka, Alessandro Petraglia, Eulàlia Pladevall-Izard, Zuzana Plesková, Stefano Segadelli, Yuliya Semeniuk, Patrícia Singh, Anna Šímová, Eva Šmerdová, Teemu Tahvanainen, Marcello Tomaselli, Yuliya Vystavna, Claudia Biţă-Nicolae, Michal Horsák. A European map of groundwater pH and calcium. . 2020; 2020 ():1-41.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichal Hájek; Borja Jiménez-Alfaro; Ondřej Hájek; Lisa Brancaleoni; Marco Cantonati; Michele Carbognani; Anita Dedić; Daniel Dítě; Renato Gerdol; Petra Hájková; Veronika Horsáková; Florian Jansen; Jasmina Kamberović; Jutta Kapfer; Tiina Kolari; Mariusz Lamentowicz; Predrag Lazarević; Ermin Mašić; Jesper Erenskjold Moeslund; Aaron Pérez-Haase; Tomáš Peterka; Alessandro Petraglia; Eulàlia Pladevall-Izard; Zuzana Plesková; Stefano Segadelli; Yuliya Semeniuk; Patrícia Singh; Anna Šímová; Eva Šmerdová; Teemu Tahvanainen; Marcello Tomaselli; Yuliya Vystavna; Claudia Biţă-Nicolae; Michal Horsák. 2020. "A European map of groundwater pH and calcium." 2020, no. : 1-41.
Marco Cantonati; Roderick J. Fensham; Lawrence E. Stevens; Reinhard Gerecke; Douglas S. Glazier; Nico Goldscheider; Robert L. Knight; John S. Richardson; Abraham E. Springer; Klement Tockner. Urgent plea for global protection of springs. Conservation Biology 2020, 35, 378 -382.
AMA StyleMarco Cantonati, Roderick J. Fensham, Lawrence E. Stevens, Reinhard Gerecke, Douglas S. Glazier, Nico Goldscheider, Robert L. Knight, John S. Richardson, Abraham E. Springer, Klement Tockner. Urgent plea for global protection of springs. Conservation Biology. 2020; 35 (1):378-382.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Cantonati; Roderick J. Fensham; Lawrence E. Stevens; Reinhard Gerecke; Douglas S. Glazier; Nico Goldscheider; Robert L. Knight; John S. Richardson; Abraham E. Springer; Klement Tockner. 2020. "Urgent plea for global protection of springs." Conservation Biology 35, no. 1: 378-382.
Mediterranean streams are naturally highly-stressed environments mainly due to wide seasonal and inter-annual fluctuations in water quantity. This natural pressure will be exacerbated by climate change and is a significant challenge when establishing efficient assessment methods. We studied environmental parameters (hydromorphology, hydrology, physical and chemical variables) and analysed 171 diatom samples from 65 stations in Cyprus (south-western part). Analyses revealed 290 taxa (273 identified to the species -or intraspecific- level) belonging to 65 genera. Even a tentative application of a Red-List approach underlined the overwhelming importance of hydrology-related variables and river types in determining species distribution and community ecological attributes in the water-stressed island of Cyprus. Somewhat unexpectedly, both species from threat categories of the diatom Red List for Central Europe (2018) and species one might predict would be included in such categories in a possible future Red List tailored for Cyprus occurred more frequently and were more relevant in assemblages from sites in intermittent streams. We found a majority of motile, medium- to small-sized, diatom species, including a small number of colony-forming species. We found several species known to be effective first colonizers (pioneer species) and, among these, there was a striking preponderance (80%) of Achnanthidium species, often with several species co-occurring, particularly at reference sites. A four-factor PERMANOVA found that all type (essentially hydrology-related) variables were significant, and there was also a significant effect of season. Agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis revealed three end-groups, with groups being separated on ecohydro(geo)logical grounds (lentic/lotic), sediment grain size, discharge and pH. The reference sites were analysed in more detail to identify environmental determinants. 28% of the variation in diatom assemblage composition was explained by the measured variables, with those associated with stream type and hydrology explaining the greatest proportions (12 and 10%, respectively) whilst season accounted for the remainder. Our study emphasised a need for detailed investigations of ecological and distributional (including Red List status) traits of diatom species, and to acknowledge the importance of the hydrological peculiarities of Mediterranean streams, in particular the dramatic seasonal variability, when developing ecological assessment protocols for the region.
Marco Cantonati; Martyn G. Kelly; Daniele Demartini; Nicola Angeli; Gerald Dörflinger; Athina Papatheodoulou; David G. Armanini. Overwhelming role of hydrology-related variables and river types in driving diatom species distribution and community assemblage in streams in Cyprus. Ecological Indicators 2020, 117, 106690 .
AMA StyleMarco Cantonati, Martyn G. Kelly, Daniele Demartini, Nicola Angeli, Gerald Dörflinger, Athina Papatheodoulou, David G. Armanini. Overwhelming role of hydrology-related variables and river types in driving diatom species distribution and community assemblage in streams in Cyprus. Ecological Indicators. 2020; 117 ():106690.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Cantonati; Martyn G. Kelly; Daniele Demartini; Nicola Angeli; Gerald Dörflinger; Athina Papatheodoulou; David G. Armanini. 2020. "Overwhelming role of hydrology-related variables and river types in driving diatom species distribution and community assemblage in streams in Cyprus." Ecological Indicators 117, no. : 106690.
The Biological Condition Gradient (BCG) is a conceptual model that describes changes in aquatic communities under increasing levels of anthropogenic stress. The BCG helps decision-makers connect narrative water quality goals (e.g., maintenance of natural structure and function) to quantitative measures of ecological condition by linking index thresholds based on statistical distributions (e.g., percentiles of reference distributions) to expert descriptions of changes in biological condition along disturbance gradients. As a result, the BCG may be more meaningful to managers and the public than indices alone. To develop a BCG model, biological response to stress is divided into 6 levels of condition, represented as changes in biological structure (abundance and diversity of pollution sensitive versus tolerant taxa) and function. We developed benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) and algal BCG models for California perennial wadeable streams to support interpretation of percentiles of reference-based thresholds for bioassessment indices (i.e., the California Stream Condition Index [CSCI] for BMI and the Algal Stream Condition Index [ASCI] for diatoms and soft-bodied algae). Two panels (one of BMI ecologists and the other of algal ecologists) each calibrated a general BCG model to California wadeable streams by first assigning taxa to specific tolerance and sensitivity attributes, and then independently assigning test samples (264 BMI and 248 algae samples) to BCG Levels 1–6. Consensus on the assignments was developed within each assemblage panel using a modified Delphi method. Panels then developed detailed narratives of changes in BMI and algal taxa that correspond to the 6 BCG levels. Consensus among experts was high, with 81% and 82% expert agreement within 0.5 units of assigned BCG level for BMIs and algae, respectively. According to both BCG models, the 10th percentiles index scores at reference sites corresponded to a BCG Level 3, suggesting that this type of threshold would protect against moderate changes in structure and function while allowing loss of some sensitive taxa. The BCG provides a framework to interpret changes in aquatic biological condition along a gradient of stress. The resulting relationship between index scores and BCG levels and narratives can help decision-makers select thresholds and communicate how these values protect aquatic life use goals.
Michael J. Paul; Ben Jessup; Larry R. Brown; James L. Carter; Marco Cantonati; Donald F. Charles; Jeroen Gerritsen; David B. Herbst; Rosalina Stancheva; Jeanette Howard; Bill Isham; Rex Lowe; Raphael D. Mazor; Patina K. Mendez; Peter R. Ode; Alison O'Dowd; John Olson; Yangdong Pan; Andrew C. Rehn; Sarah Spaulding; Martha Sutula; Susanna Theroux. Characterizing benthic macroinvertebrate and algal biological condition gradient models for California wadeable Streams, USA. Ecological Indicators 2020, 117, 106618 .
AMA StyleMichael J. Paul, Ben Jessup, Larry R. Brown, James L. Carter, Marco Cantonati, Donald F. Charles, Jeroen Gerritsen, David B. Herbst, Rosalina Stancheva, Jeanette Howard, Bill Isham, Rex Lowe, Raphael D. Mazor, Patina K. Mendez, Peter R. Ode, Alison O'Dowd, John Olson, Yangdong Pan, Andrew C. Rehn, Sarah Spaulding, Martha Sutula, Susanna Theroux. Characterizing benthic macroinvertebrate and algal biological condition gradient models for California wadeable Streams, USA. Ecological Indicators. 2020; 117 ():106618.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichael J. Paul; Ben Jessup; Larry R. Brown; James L. Carter; Marco Cantonati; Donald F. Charles; Jeroen Gerritsen; David B. Herbst; Rosalina Stancheva; Jeanette Howard; Bill Isham; Rex Lowe; Raphael D. Mazor; Patina K. Mendez; Peter R. Ode; Alison O'Dowd; John Olson; Yangdong Pan; Andrew C. Rehn; Sarah Spaulding; Martha Sutula; Susanna Theroux. 2020. "Characterizing benthic macroinvertebrate and algal biological condition gradient models for California wadeable Streams, USA." Ecological Indicators 117, no. : 106618.
This study explores the factors affecting the biodiversity of diatoms, vegetation with focus on bryophytes, and invertebrates with focus on water mites, in a series of 16 spring-habitats. The springs are located primarily from the mountainous part of the Emilia-Romagna Region (Northern Apennines, Italy), and two pool-springs from agricultural and industrial lowland locations. Overall, data indicate that biological diversity (Shannon-Wiener, α-diversity) within individual springs was relatively low, e.g.: Sdiatoms = 0–46, Swater-mites = 0–11. However, when examined at the regional scale, they hosted a very high total number of taxa (γ-diversity; Sdiatoms = 285, Swater-mites = 40), including several new or putatively-new species, and many Red-List taxa. This pattern suggested there is high species turnover among springs, as well as high distinctiveness of individual spring systems. A key goal was to assess the hydrogeological and hydrochemical conditions associated with this high regional-pool species richness, and to provide a guide to future conservation strategies. There was a striking variety of geological conditions (geodiversity, captured mainly with lithotype and aquifer structure) across the study region, which led to wide variation in the hydrosphere, especially in conductivity and pH. Agriculture and industrial activities (anthroposphere) in the lowlands resulted in nutrient enrichment and other forms of pollution. Across all 16 spring-systems, several hydrogeological conditions most strongly influenced the presence or absence of particular biota and were determinants of species importance: spring-head morphology, hydroperiod, discharge, current velocity, and elemental concentration. These findings have important practical consequences for conservation strategies. Our data show that it is imperative to protect entire regional groups of springs, including representatives of the different ecomorphological spring types, lithologies, and degrees of human influence. These findings suggest that springs, when studied from an ecohydrogeological perspective, are excellent systems in which to further investigate and understand geo-biodiversity relationships.
Marco Cantonati; Stefano Segadelli; Daniel Spitale; Jacopo Gabrieli; Reinhard Gerecke; Nicola Angeli; Maria Teresa De Nardo; Kei Ogata; John D. Wehr. Geological and hydrochemical prerequisites of unexpectedly high biodiversity in spring ecosystems at the landscape level. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 740, 140157 .
AMA StyleMarco Cantonati, Stefano Segadelli, Daniel Spitale, Jacopo Gabrieli, Reinhard Gerecke, Nicola Angeli, Maria Teresa De Nardo, Kei Ogata, John D. Wehr. Geological and hydrochemical prerequisites of unexpectedly high biodiversity in spring ecosystems at the landscape level. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 740 ():140157.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Cantonati; Stefano Segadelli; Daniel Spitale; Jacopo Gabrieli; Reinhard Gerecke; Nicola Angeli; Maria Teresa De Nardo; Kei Ogata; John D. Wehr. 2020. "Geological and hydrochemical prerequisites of unexpectedly high biodiversity in spring ecosystems at the landscape level." Science of The Total Environment 740, no. : 140157.
During a recent floristic-taxonomic study on the algal flora, including diatoms, from the estuary of the Damietta Branch of the Nile in Egypt, an interesting epilithic diatom species belonging to the genus Seminavis (Naviculaceae) was collecte...
Abdullah A. Saber; Ehab F. El-Belely; Ahmed A. El-Refaey; Ahmed D. El-Gamal; Saul Blanco; Marco Cantonati. Seminavis aegyptiaca sp. nov., a new amphoroid diatom species from estuary epilithon of the River-Nile Damietta Branch, Egypt. Fottea 2020, 20, 49 -57.
AMA StyleAbdullah A. Saber, Ehab F. El-Belely, Ahmed A. El-Refaey, Ahmed D. El-Gamal, Saul Blanco, Marco Cantonati. Seminavis aegyptiaca sp. nov., a new amphoroid diatom species from estuary epilithon of the River-Nile Damietta Branch, Egypt. Fottea. 2020; 20 (1):49-57.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAbdullah A. Saber; Ehab F. El-Belely; Ahmed A. El-Refaey; Ahmed D. El-Gamal; Saul Blanco; Marco Cantonati. 2020. "Seminavis aegyptiaca sp. nov., a new amphoroid diatom species from estuary epilithon of the River-Nile Damietta Branch, Egypt." Fottea 20, no. 1: 49-57.
Understanding the drivers of species richness gradients is a central challenge of ecological and biodiversity research in freshwater science. Species richness along elevational gradients reveals a great variety of patterns. Here, we investigate elevational changes in species richness and turnover between microhabitats in near-natural spring habitats across Switzerland. Species richness was determined for 175 subsamples from 71 near-natural springs, and Poisson regression was applied between species richness and environmental predictors. Compositional turnover was calculated between the different microhabitats within single springs using the Jaccard index based on observed species and the Chao index based on estimated species numbers. In total, 539 diatom species were identified. Species richness increased monotonically with elevation. Habitat diversity and elevation explaining some of the species richness per site. The Jaccard index for the measured compositional turnover showed a mean similarity of 70% between microhabitats within springs, whereas the Chao index which accounts for sampling artefacts estimated a turnover of only 37%. Thus, the commonly applied method of counting 500 valves led to an undersampling of the rare species and might need to be reconsidered when assessing diatom biodiversity.
Lukas Taxböck; Dirk Nikolaus Karger; Michael Kessler; Daniel Spitale; Marco Cantonati; Taxböck Lukas; Karger Dirk Nikolaus; Kessler Michael; Spitale Daniel. Diatom Species Richness in Swiss Springs Increases with Habitat Complexity and Elevation. Water 2020, 12, 449 .
AMA StyleLukas Taxböck, Dirk Nikolaus Karger, Michael Kessler, Daniel Spitale, Marco Cantonati, Taxböck Lukas, Karger Dirk Nikolaus, Kessler Michael, Spitale Daniel. Diatom Species Richness in Swiss Springs Increases with Habitat Complexity and Elevation. Water. 2020; 12 (2):449.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLukas Taxböck; Dirk Nikolaus Karger; Michael Kessler; Daniel Spitale; Marco Cantonati; Taxböck Lukas; Karger Dirk Nikolaus; Kessler Michael; Spitale Daniel. 2020. "Diatom Species Richness in Swiss Springs Increases with Habitat Complexity and Elevation." Water 12, no. 2: 449.
In this overview (introductory article to a special issue including 14 papers), we consider all main types of natural and artificial inland freshwater habitas (fwh). For each type, we identify the main biodiversity patterns and ecological features, human impacts on the system and environmental issues, and discuss ways to use this information to improve stewardship. Examples of selected key biodiversity/ecological features (habitat type): narrow endemics, sensitive (groundwater and GDEs); crenobionts, LIHRes (springs); unidirectional flow, nutrient spiraling (streams); naturally turbid, floodplains, large-bodied species (large rivers); depth-variation in benthic communities (lakes); endemism and diversity (ancient lakes); threatened, sensitive species (oxbow lakes, SWE); diverse, reduced littoral (reservoirs); cold-adapted species (Boreal and Arctic fwh); endemism, depauperate (Antarctic fwh); flood pulse, intermittent wetlands, biggest river basins (tropical fwh); variable hydrologic regime—periods of drying, flash floods (arid-climate fwh). Selected impacts: eutrophication and other pollution, hydrologic modifications, overexploitation, habitat destruction, invasive species, salinization. Climate change is a threat multiplier, and it is important to quantify resistance, resilience, and recovery to assess the strategic role of the different types of freshwater ecosystems and their value for biodiversity conservation. Effective conservation solutions are dependent on an understanding of connectivity between different freshwater ecosystems (including related terrestrial, coastal and marine systems).
Marco Cantonati; Sandra Poikane; Catherine M. Pringle; Lawrence E. Stevens; Eren Turak; Jani Heino; John S. Richardson; Rossano Bolpagni; Alex Borrini; Núria Cid; Martina Čtvrtlíková; Diana M. P. Galassi; Michal Hájek; Ian Hawes; Zlatko Levkov; Luigi Naselli-Flores; Abdullah A. Saber; Mattia Di Cicco; Barbara Fiasca; Paul B. Hamilton; Jan Kubečka; Stefano Segadelli; Petr Znachor. Characteristics, Main Impacts, and Stewardship of Natural and Artificial Freshwater Environments: Consequences for Biodiversity Conservation. Water 2020, 12, 260 .
AMA StyleMarco Cantonati, Sandra Poikane, Catherine M. Pringle, Lawrence E. Stevens, Eren Turak, Jani Heino, John S. Richardson, Rossano Bolpagni, Alex Borrini, Núria Cid, Martina Čtvrtlíková, Diana M. P. Galassi, Michal Hájek, Ian Hawes, Zlatko Levkov, Luigi Naselli-Flores, Abdullah A. Saber, Mattia Di Cicco, Barbara Fiasca, Paul B. Hamilton, Jan Kubečka, Stefano Segadelli, Petr Znachor. Characteristics, Main Impacts, and Stewardship of Natural and Artificial Freshwater Environments: Consequences for Biodiversity Conservation. Water. 2020; 12 (1):260.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Cantonati; Sandra Poikane; Catherine M. Pringle; Lawrence E. Stevens; Eren Turak; Jani Heino; John S. Richardson; Rossano Bolpagni; Alex Borrini; Núria Cid; Martina Čtvrtlíková; Diana M. P. Galassi; Michal Hájek; Ian Hawes; Zlatko Levkov; Luigi Naselli-Flores; Abdullah A. Saber; Mattia Di Cicco; Barbara Fiasca; Paul B. Hamilton; Jan Kubečka; Stefano Segadelli; Petr Znachor. 2020. "Characteristics, Main Impacts, and Stewardship of Natural and Artificial Freshwater Environments: Consequences for Biodiversity Conservation." Water 12, no. 1: 260.
This essay discusses the need for, advantages and challenges of integrating the scientific disciplines of ecology and hydrogeology in the study of groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs). We provide a definition for ecohydrogeology as “a unifying, synthetic field of study integrating the approaches from the ecological and hydrogeological sciences in the study of groundwater (GW)-related ecosystems, habitats, and organisms to advance science, stewardship, and policy”. We selected specific case studies to illustrate first how hydrogeological approaches can favour in-depth understanding and modelling of springs and crenobiontic (spring-dependent) species distribution, assemblage composition and organization. Second, this essay also examines how taxa and assemblages serve as bioassays and ecosystem indicators to infer hydrogeological aspects of GW flow and discharge, as well as quantitative and qualitative human impacts. We consider both types of features and parameters as ecohydrogeological indicators. The examples presented include topics related to springs and other GDE geomorphological types and classification, GW quality influences on crenobiont distribution, phreatophyte (= plant species the roots of which reach to and into the water table) ecophysiology in relation to water table depth, and flow variability in karstic systems, to nutrient dynamics in relation to dinoflagellate blooms in GDE montane lakes. Conceptual approaches that integrate ecology with hydrogeology include the investigation of GDE distribution and ecology, groundwater-surface water (GW-SW) interactions, and the development of the discipline of ecohydrology. Despite widespread applications, the scientific community still lacks a complete or effective integration of the principles described in the fields of groundwater hydrogeology with ecology, ecophysiology, and environmental biology. Springs are aquatic-wetland-riparian habitats that link shallow subsurface-surface processes and assemblages, often functioning as biodiversity hotspots, ecotones, keystone, and refugial ecosystems, for which coordination between studies of hydrogeology and ecology are both obvious and essential. Over the past century, springs ecosystem ecology has been largely ignored by hydrologists, and, conversely, hydrogeology has been under-emphasized by ecologists. Recent global recognition of the extraordinary biodiversity and socio-cultural significance of springs, coupled with their globally highly threatened conservation status, stimulated this inquiry into how to better integrate hydrogeology with springs ecosystem ecology. Acknowledging the highly threatened status of springs ecosystems around the world, there is an urgent need to integrate and invigorate the union of these disciplines into ecohydrogeology, the study of groundwater-dependent organisms, habitats, ecosystems, and management policy.
Marco Cantonati; Lawrence Stevens; Stefano Segadelli; Abraham Springer; Nico Goldscheider; Fulvio Celico; Maria Filippini; Kei Ogata; Alessandro Gargini. Ecohydrogeology: The interdisciplinary convergence needed to improve the study and stewardship of springs and other groundwater-dependent habitats, biota, and ecosystems. Ecological Indicators 2020, 110, 1 .
AMA StyleMarco Cantonati, Lawrence Stevens, Stefano Segadelli, Abraham Springer, Nico Goldscheider, Fulvio Celico, Maria Filippini, Kei Ogata, Alessandro Gargini. Ecohydrogeology: The interdisciplinary convergence needed to improve the study and stewardship of springs and other groundwater-dependent habitats, biota, and ecosystems. Ecological Indicators. 2020; 110 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Cantonati; Lawrence Stevens; Stefano Segadelli; Abraham Springer; Nico Goldscheider; Fulvio Celico; Maria Filippini; Kei Ogata; Alessandro Gargini. 2020. "Ecohydrogeology: The interdisciplinary convergence needed to improve the study and stewardship of springs and other groundwater-dependent habitats, biota, and ecosystems." Ecological Indicators 110, no. : 1.
In 2015 an intense rainfall event hit the Valleys of the Trebbia, Nure, and Aveto watercourses in the Northern Apennines. In about 6 h a mesoscale convective system deployed a stunning amount of precipitation of 340 mm, with an extreme hourly rainfall intensity of >100 mm/h. It triggered debris flows along slopes and stream channels, landslides and floods, which caused serious damages. Through the optimal combination of rainfall data and radar volumes, in this work we present a detailed rainfall analysis, which will serve as a basis to create a quantitative correlation with debris flows over elementary hydrological units. We aim at providing an objective basis for future predictions, starting from the recognition of the forcing meteorological events, and then arriving at the prediction of triggering phenomena and to the debris-flow type. We further provide seven observations/case studies on the effects of extreme-precipitation events on freshwater environments in small mountain catchments. Extreme-precipitation events are becoming more frequent and widespread globally but their ecological effects are still insufficiently understood. In general, the effects of extreme events on inland-waters’ ecosystems are highly context-dependent, ranging from deleterious to beneficial. We therefore highlight the necessity of further studies to characterize these effects in more depth to be able to include appropriate mitigation measures in environmental planning and stewardship.
Stefano Segadelli; Federico Grazzini; Michele Adorni; Maria Teresa De Nardo; Anna Fornasiero; Alessandro Chelli; Marco Cantonati. Predicting Extreme-Precipitation Effects on the Geomorphology of Small Mountain Catchments: Towards an Improved Understanding of the Consequences for Freshwater Biodiversity and Ecosystems. Water 2019, 12, 79 .
AMA StyleStefano Segadelli, Federico Grazzini, Michele Adorni, Maria Teresa De Nardo, Anna Fornasiero, Alessandro Chelli, Marco Cantonati. Predicting Extreme-Precipitation Effects on the Geomorphology of Small Mountain Catchments: Towards an Improved Understanding of the Consequences for Freshwater Biodiversity and Ecosystems. Water. 2019; 12 (1):79.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStefano Segadelli; Federico Grazzini; Michele Adorni; Maria Teresa De Nardo; Anna Fornasiero; Alessandro Chelli; Marco Cantonati. 2019. "Predicting Extreme-Precipitation Effects on the Geomorphology of Small Mountain Catchments: Towards an Improved Understanding of the Consequences for Freshwater Biodiversity and Ecosystems." Water 12, no. 1: 79.
In European countries, hydromorphological (HyMo) pressures are the second most commonly occurring types of pressures on aquatic ecosystems (after eutrophication). HyMo pressures (i.e., man-made alterations to the hydrology and morphometry of aquatic ecosystems) impact the functioning of lakes and rivers in multiple ways. Initially, they have profound effects on littoral communities, such as macrophytes, benthic invertebrates, and fish. Ultimately, they result in pervasive alteration of whole-lake ecosystems. Extensive efforts have been devoted to the development of ecological assessment methods and management measures focusing mainly on eutrophication, whereas HyMo alterations are less understood and not properly addressed. We attempted to clarify the conceptual background, to highlight achievements in method development, including pressure–response relationships and metrics used in assessment, and to underscore issues requiring urgent attention. We concluded that the currently used biological methods do not reliably address HyMo alterations. The need to develop specifically responding biological and HyMo assessment methods and to measure the necessary variables in routine monitoring programs is urgent. This review paper also serves as an introductory article to a small special series of papers on the ecological impacts of water level fluctuations. Papers in this series include an updated literature review on the ecological effects of water level fluctuations on lake macroinvertebrates, a review article specifically devoted to water level fluctuations indicators in the littoral of natural and artificial lakes, and a paper addressing the relationships between water level fluctuation alteration and spatial and temporal patterns of cladoceran communities in a dammed lake.
Sandra Poikane; Tamar Zohary; Marco Cantonati. Assessing the ecological effects of hydromorphological pressures on European lakes. Inland Waters 2019, 10, 241 -255.
AMA StyleSandra Poikane, Tamar Zohary, Marco Cantonati. Assessing the ecological effects of hydromorphological pressures on European lakes. Inland Waters. 2019; 10 (2):241-255.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSandra Poikane; Tamar Zohary; Marco Cantonati. 2019. "Assessing the ecological effects of hydromorphological pressures on European lakes." Inland Waters 10, no. 2: 241-255.
Karst ecosystems are considered as priority environments for the protection of biodiversity on a global scale. This study provides a first comparative analysis of epilithic diatom flora from karst springs in two Mediterranean geographic areas (Spain and Italy) with contrasting characteristics (islands vs mainland). We investigated twenty-three springs with different anthropogenic impact levels once in the winter season between 2007 and 2017 (N = 23). A total of 176 diatom taxa (56 genera) were found of which 101 (44 genera) were observed in single sites. A general good biotic integrity was revealed by structural indices (species richness, diversity and evenness). However, crenophilous species were generally present and abundant in less impacted springs. Comparing islands and mainland, significant differences were found in species composition and diversity (H’) based on multivariate analyses (global R = 0.610; p = 0.001) and t-test (t = 2.304; p = 0.031). Discharge and Cl− were the most significant variables in determining diatom assemblages. Our results confirm the role of springs as multiple ecotones and refuges for rare species and suggest that the geographic insularity may be an important factor in maintaining diatom biodiversity.
Giuseppina G. Lai; Sara Burato; Bachisio M. Padedda; Raffaella Zorza; Elisabetta Pizzul; Cristina Delgado; Antonella Lugliè; Marco Cantonati. Diatom Biodiversity in Karst Springs of Mediterranean Geographic Areas with Contrasting Characteristics: Islands vs Mainland. Water 2019, 11, 2602 .
AMA StyleGiuseppina G. Lai, Sara Burato, Bachisio M. Padedda, Raffaella Zorza, Elisabetta Pizzul, Cristina Delgado, Antonella Lugliè, Marco Cantonati. Diatom Biodiversity in Karst Springs of Mediterranean Geographic Areas with Contrasting Characteristics: Islands vs Mainland. Water. 2019; 11 (12):2602.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppina G. Lai; Sara Burato; Bachisio M. Padedda; Raffaella Zorza; Elisabetta Pizzul; Cristina Delgado; Antonella Lugliè; Marco Cantonati. 2019. "Diatom Biodiversity in Karst Springs of Mediterranean Geographic Areas with Contrasting Characteristics: Islands vs Mainland." Water 11, no. 12: 2602.
Horst Lange-Bertalot; Marco Cantonati. Die Diatomeen im Gebiet der Stadt Treuchtlingen. Phycologia 2019, 59, 99 -100.
AMA StyleHorst Lange-Bertalot, Marco Cantonati. Die Diatomeen im Gebiet der Stadt Treuchtlingen. Phycologia. 2019; 59 (1):99-100.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHorst Lange-Bertalot; Marco Cantonati. 2019. "Die Diatomeen im Gebiet der Stadt Treuchtlingen." Phycologia 59, no. 1: 99-100.
Mediterranean karst springs are affected by strong climatic seasonality, with long, dry and hot summers and are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pressures. In Sardinia (western Mediterranean Sea, Italy), they are largely unexplored and their biocoenoses are mostly unknown. The diatom flora from two substrates (cobbles and macrophytes) in eight springs of different areas of the island was investigated in summer 2016 and winter 2017. A total of 162 diatom taxa (58 genera) were found of which 27 (17 genera) only on cobbles and 26 (18 genera) only on macrophytes. The most abundant species from both substrates were Achnanthidium minutissimum, Amphora indistincta, Amphora pediculus, Cocconeis euglypta, Planothidium frequentissimum, and P. lanceolatum. Overall, 67 taxa (40 genera) were recorded in single sites and some of these taxa showed high affinity with specific environmental conditions. Hydrological stability (water flow permanence), discharge and nutrients were the main environmental factors influencing diatom assemblages. Our results suggest that diatoms can reflect important local factors related to the vulnerability of these spring ecosystems and underline the importance of their preservation both for biodiversity and water quality maintenance.
Giuseppina Grazia Lai; Bachisio Mario Padedda; Luc Ector; Carlos Eduardo Wetzel; Antonella Lugliè; Marco Cantonati. Mediterranean karst springs: diatom biodiversity hotspots under the pressure of hydrological fluctuation and nutrient enrichment. Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology 2019, 154, 673 -684.
AMA StyleGiuseppina Grazia Lai, Bachisio Mario Padedda, Luc Ector, Carlos Eduardo Wetzel, Antonella Lugliè, Marco Cantonati. Mediterranean karst springs: diatom biodiversity hotspots under the pressure of hydrological fluctuation and nutrient enrichment. Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology. 2019; 154 (5):673-684.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiuseppina Grazia Lai; Bachisio Mario Padedda; Luc Ector; Carlos Eduardo Wetzel; Antonella Lugliè; Marco Cantonati. 2019. "Mediterranean karst springs: diatom biodiversity hotspots under the pressure of hydrological fluctuation and nutrient enrichment." Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology 154, no. 5: 673-684.