Abstract
UDK: 574.587:582.26/.27(234.422 Konjuh)
 Springs are recognized as hotspots for freshwater biodiversity conservation. The study objective was to analyze and compare the biodiversity of epilithic diatom communities of spring and stream habitats in the Konjuh Mountain (B&H). The measuring of basic water physical and chemical parameters and diatom sampling were carried out during summer and autumn period in 2013.
 Diatom assemblages were collected from 10 locations: (i) five locations were placed in small mountain springs that flow into headwater streams, where another 5 localities were placed. Diatoms were collected by scrubbing the rocks using standard methodology. Relative diatom cell abundances were established by counting up to 400 frustules on permanent slides prepared in Naphrax.
 Spring habitats were more diverse in diatoms (H' loge =1.67 average) in comparison with headwater stream habitats (H' loge=1.15 average), which was confirmed by t-test (t=2.79; p=0.013). The similarities of community structure from different habitats were investigated by non-metric multidimensional scaling, on the Bray-Curtis similarity matrix in software package Primer 6.
 Using Permutational Manova test, a different diatom composition was proved between spring and stream communities (Pseudo F=2.66, p=0.012), while the seasonal difference in the community structure was not confirmed (F=0.586, p=0.876). The most abundant and frequent species in spring habitats were: Achnanthidium minutissimum (Kützing) Czarnecki, Cocconeis pseudolineata (Geitler) Lange-Bertalot, Gomphonema pumilum var. elegans E.Reichardt & Lange-Bertalot, Meridion circulare (Greville) C.Agardh and Planothidium lanceolatum (Brébisson ex Kützing) Lange-Bertalot. The most frequent and abundant species in headwater stream habitats were: Achnanthidium minutissimum (Kützing) Czarnecki, Cocconeis placentula var. euglypta (Ehrenberg) Grunow, Cocconeis placentula var. lineata (Ehrenberg) van Heurck and Cymbella tridentina Lange-Bertalot, M.Cantonati & A.Scalfi.
 In comparison with streams habitats, the springs are heterogeneous with specific diatom composition due to more stable water flow. Although the springs cover very small areas, the diversity of species that inhabit them must not be neglected in planning the use of these natural resources.
Highlights
Springs are recognized as hotspots for freshwater biodiversity conservation
Spring areas have been identified as important refuge for conservation of algal biodiversity (CANTONATI et al 2012a), and investigations of these habitats have been intensified since the mid of the nineties (SABATER and ROCA 1990; CANTONATI 1998; ABOAL et al 1998; WERUM and LANGE-BERTALOT 2004; POULIČKOVA et al 2005; WOJTAL and SOBCZYK 2006; TAXBÖCK and PREISIG 2007; FRANKOVA et al 2009; CANTONATI et al 2012b, 2012c)
Several studies have focused on the research of the algal community structure in the spring - fed stream complex, such are those in Canada (SHERWOOD et al 2000), in Texas in the USA (SHERWOOD and SHEATH 1998), in Majorca (DELGADO et al 2013), in Adamelo Brenta region in Italy (CANTONATI and PIP 2000), in Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park in Italy (CANTONATI and SPITALE 2009)
Summary
Investigated springs and streams (Table 1) are located on altitudes ranging from 536 to 875 m. a. s. l. Investigated springs and streams (Table 1) are located on altitudes ranging from 536 to 875 m. L. The most of the studied springs are small rheocrene. Water temperature was slightly higher in streams than in springs, and in the summer compared with autumn period. PH of the water was weakly alkaline, and it had similar values compared investigated localities. Conductivity was moderately high (ranged between 123 -387 μScm-1)
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