Diversity of macroinvertebrates positively correlates with diversity of macrophytes in karst ponds

Abstract

Relations between diversity of macrophytes and macroinvertebrates in 16 karst ponds on the outskirts of SE Alps (Slovenia) were investigated. Inventory of macrophytes was performed and their cover values were estimated. Macroinvertebrates were sampled with hand net. Correlations between environmental factors and parameters of taxonomic richness and diversity of the communities were calculated. Influences of environmental parameters on the structure of communities were analyzed. Results confirmed significant positive correlations between diversity of macrophytes and macroinvertebrates. The most abundant and most species-rich group of plants were emergent macrophytes. Richness and diversity of macrophytes were more important than their coverage for diversity of macroinvertebrates. A negative direct influence of the cattle to macrophytes as well as to macroinvertebrates was calculated. We can conclude that diversity of macrophytes had a positive influence on diversity of macroinvertebrate community. High diversity of emergent macrophytes supports high diversity of macroinvertebrate communities – directly as higher number of hiding places, oviposition sites or food sources and indirectly with more efficient uptake of excessive nutrients. Despite the negative direct influence of the cattle to macrophytes that we calculated, trampling positively influences macrophytes and indirectly also macroinvertebrates in karst ponds, since it enables the existence of these specific waterbodies in the long run.