This paper examines the spatial dynamics of planktonic and contour algal metacommunities in two- and three-dimensional spaces within lotic and lentic ecosystems in Ukraine, focusing on case studies from the Kyiv and Kaniv Water Reservoirs, as well as the Ukrainian section of the Western Bug River and its tributaries. To study the spatial dynamics of algae in the horizontal plane, the well-known geographic method called Distance Decay of Similarity (DDS) was applied. It allows finding out whether there is any decrease in similarity between the local algal communities with increase in the geographic distance between the localities. Using the DDS method, we developed an integrated approach for assessing the "spatial factor," which considers both the geographic distance between localities and their degree of hydrological isolation. It has been proven that this integrated approach makes it possible to obtain more reliable data on the impact of the “spatial factor” upon the dispersal of algae. The spatial dynamics along the vertical axis includes exchange of species between the localities of the same type and between the localities of different types. Vertical dynamics in the system of localities of the same type can be illustrated by vertical diurnal migrations of planktonic Cyanobacteria, such as Microcystis aeruginosa (Kützing) Kützing. Vertical dynamics between the localities of different types includes sedimentation of some algal species from the plankton to the bottom and aquatic plants’ surface during algal blooms periods. In complex studies of algal metacommunities it is important to analyze their spatial dynamics in the three-dimensional space, which combines both the horizontal plane and vertical axis. In three localities within Kaniv Water Reservoir 72 species of algae were identified in plankton, 81 species in benthos and 80 species in epiphytic communities. There were 21 common (potentially interacting) species between phytoplankton and microphytobenthos, 18 – between phytoplankton and epiphytic algal communities, and 44 between microphytobenthos and epiphytic algal communities. As many as 14 species were common for phytoplankton, microphytobenthos and epiphytic algal communities. The algal metacommunity under study comprised a total of 164 species. The higher degree of species similarity was observed between the local communities in the horizontal plane than along the vertical axis. Applying the three-dimensional space concept enables the study of species exchange between local algal communities of different types, which form metacommunities within large lotic and lentic continental ecosystems.
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