Types Of Water Bodies Research Articles

Effects of Breeding Habitat on the Abundance and Body Condition of Two <i>Pelophylax</i> Species in Agriculture and Urban Landscapes

Amphibians play a key role in structuring biological assemblages of agricultural landscapes, but they are threatened globally by agricultural intensification. Numerous studies have considered the morphology of animals to be an indicator of the health of a population, but data about the differences in amphibian morphology in different breeding habitats in agricultural landscapes are still missing. Here, we investigated the differences in the abundance and morphology of Pelophylax plancyi and Pelophylax nigromaculatus in the three waterbody types: fields, forests, and parks in agricultural landscapes in Nanjing, China. Our results emphasize that both frog species in forests and parks had significantly higher body condition indexes than those in fields, whereas their abundance in fields habitat was higher than those of the two other habitat types. Our results demonstrated the importance of non-agricultural habitats (such as forests and parks) in agricultural landscapes to the persistence of both Pelophylax species. We recommend preserving field ecosystems by constructing diverse waterbodies other than fields in rural areas and maintaining microhabitats in parks and forests to improve amphibian biodiversity in Nanjing.

Climate change and ecological assessment in Europe under the WFD – Hitting moving targets with shifting baselines?

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) sets the fundamental structure for assessing the status of water bodies in the European Union. Its implementation is currently entering its fourth six-year cycle assisted by a total of 38 guidance documents. The principal objective is to ensure good status for surface and ground waters. The functioning of the WFD is based on detecting the impact of human pressures on biological, physico-chemical, or hydromorphological parameters, and reducing these causal pressures through a program of measures to achieve good status. Climate change can exert a significant influence on ecological status by directly altering parameters monitored, pressure interactions, or influencing the effectiveness of programs of measures. Aquatic systems respond holistically to climate change with different pressures having additive, synergistic, or antagonistic interactions. The challenge is how to adapt the framework to manage aquatic systems in the context of climate change while maintaining focus on implementing measures to tackle key pressures. This paper examines potential approaches, including reassignment of waterbody type, quantifying the portion of Ecological Quality Ratio (EQR) driven by climate change, and creating an assessment module of climatic pressures and ecological responses. The overall purpose is to stimulate discussion and explore ways to incorporate climate change into the WFD structure.

Wastewater-based intestinal protozoa monitoring in Shanghai, China.

Intestinal protozoa Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi have been implicated in serious waterborne outbreaks worldwide. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a promising approach for evaluating the disease prevalence in a catchment population in that it monitors the contamination level of the intestinal pathogens in wastewater. We collected 48 urban wastewater samples (24 from influents and 24 from effluents) from the Yangpu Wastewater Treatment Plant (YPWTP) in Shanghai, China. We identified Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis, and E. bieneusi by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Cryptosporidium hominis and subtype IdA14 were identified in two samples by analyzing the sequences of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) and 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) genes, respectively. The G. duodenalis sub-assemblage AII (n = 8) and assemblage C (n = 4) in 12 samples were determined by analyzing triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) gene sequences. The E. bieneusi genotype A was identified in one sample by analyzing the sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rRNA gene. These findings suggest that improving wastewater treatment and monitoring the virility of pathogens in effluents is critical. We observed similar prevalence and genotypes/subtypes of the three intestinal protozoa in our wastewater samples as those reported in previous studies, providing evidence that WBE can be used as an effective epidemic management tool.IMPORTANCECryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are common intestinal protozoa causing diarrhea. The infective oocysts, cysts, and spores released in feces can survive in different environments, including multiple types of water bodies. Humans can acquire these intestinal protozoan infections via the fecal-oral route as in waterborne transmission. Wastewater-based epidemiology can rapidly and reliably detect and monitor the emergence and spread of waterborne diseases. We detected Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis, and E. bieneusi in a wastewater treatment plant in Shanghai, China, reflecting the occurrence and genetic characterizations of the three intestinal pathogens from community members served by the wastewater treatment plant.

Range maps and waterbody occupancy data for 1158 freshwater macroinvertebrate genera in the contiguous USA

Range maps are used to estimate the geographic extent of taxa, providing valuable information for biodiversity and conservation research and management. Freshwater macroinvertebrates are not well-represented in the range map literature relative to freshwater vertebrates. To address this knowledge gap, we provide range maps for 1158 freshwater macroinvertebrate genera based on two decades of publicly available occurrence data from the USEPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, which included 11,628 sites and 6,906,990 organisms across the contiguous USA. Maps were created by applying unweighted and weighted pair group method with arithmetic mean clustering and single-linkage clustering algorithms to the occurrence data and creating three layers of polygons from the minimum convex hulls of clusters. A total of 25 freshwater macroinvertebrate classes are represented in the range map dataset. Most mapped genera were insects (394/1158), followed by malacostracans (242/1158), polychaetes (182/1158), and bivalves (121/1158). Additionally, we provide waterbody type percent occupancy data for all genera, detailing how genera are partitioned between boatable streams, wadeable streams, inland lakes, Laurentian Great Lakes, and coastal estuaries.

Box Type Minor Bridge on Small Rivers in Alluvial Region

Since time immemorial, humankind has been using various techniques to cross the rivers, streams or any depression without closing or obstructing the original flow through a structure called bridge. With the span of time and advancements in civil engineering, several types of bridges have come into existence like wooden, steel, masonry arches, RCC and pre stressed concrete bridges. Indian Roads Congress categorizes three types of the bridges on the basis of length i.e. culverts up to 6.0 m, minor bridges above 6.0 m to maximum 60.0 m length and major bridges above 60.0 m. In present scenario, minor bridges over small rivers has become necessary for development and prosperity of nation as most of the roads have to cross small rivers at several places to connect remotest corner of the country. Bridges, though a manmade structure, over a period become an important part of environment because in most of the cases water flowing below is used for drinking, irrigation and underground recharging. The alluvial region of India spread from Punjab to West Bengal has a peculiar nature because soil is almost soft in nature consisting of mainly sand, clay and silt which is fertile for vegetation. Water retention and its movement condition are high throughout the year. Several type of water bodies which exists in this type of region are pond, small drain, small and medium rivers which drains into the big rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gomati and Sai etc. Since long time, road system on the earthen track and pucca has been introduced for traffic like chart, chariot and motorized vehicle. There were little number of bridges over major rivers i.e. bridge alone to cross over the river Ganga except in few places like Allahabad, Kanpur and Varanasi and over the Ghaghra Algine bridge, Maghighat, Bhatni. Some bridges were constructed over small and medium rivers in medevial period by local rulers and businesspersons, which have now become obsolete. It is found that most of the bridges are of masonry arches wooden and trusses having insufficient water and carriageway. After independence, the road network system has been improved to meet out socio economic needs of people. The new bridges have been constructed with standard road width and sufficient waterway. Study has been conducted for existing new constructed bridge system over small river and alluvial region of Uttar Pradesh to set guidance for future course of action in replacing and providing new bridges to optimize the needs of the people. Bridge system being provided over small & minor rivers for the road network for new and replacement of older bridge at different site is varying from place to place. For this purpose, study has been conducted for sustainable option of minor bridges over small rivers discharge up to 300 m3 /s. It is found that the box type minor bridges are best option on small & minor rivers.

Large-scale assessment of characteristic plant species on Eurasian saline and alkaline soda ecosystems

From an ecological standpoint, saline and alkaline habitats are considered as extreme environments for vascular plants because salinity and alkalinity serve as primary structuring factors that significantly influence the species richness of vegetation cover. The non-alkaline salinity stress on plants primarily results from interactions of NaCl, Na2SO4, and other neutral salts, whereas alkalinity stress is caused by NaHCO3 and Na2CO3, accompanied by an increase in pH. Some halophytes and salt-tolerant plants are well-adapted to such permanent abiotic stress. Surprisingly, they are able to survive and reproduce under environmental conditions of more than 200 mM NaCl concentration and are also able to live permanently in extreme conditions. The aim of this study was to identify characteristic and indicator plant species for permanently alkaline soda and non-alkaline saline wetland habitats, and to analyze the relationship between the chemical composition of water and the plant’s saturation index. Based on the obtained results we can conclude that plant species identified to live in high saline conditions may also grow under high alkaline conditions. Two groups were distinguished based on the salinity and alkalinity: “Saline group” includes all types of halophytes and halotolerant species, while “Soda group” includes obligate alkalophytes and alkalotolerant species. However, the diversity of plants in alkaline environment is bigger than in saline environment, and most of the halotolerant species grow in both alkaline soda and saline habitats. It is possible to identify three indicator species requiring alkaline soda habitats to live in (Aster tripolium, Puccinellia limosa, Suaeda pannonica) and three indicator species that dominantly grow in non-alkaline saline habitats (Juncus maritimus, Salicornia prostrata, Suaeda salsa). Different independent variables have been identified and analyzed to understand their influence on the species saturation index by calculating percentage of characteristic plant species of the entire region. It was identified that the plant saturation index has a significant positive relationship with the Mean Temperature of the Warmest Quarter, Topsoil Sand, and Clay fraction variables, and there is a significant negative relationship with the Solid Earth surface heat flow, as the heating can increase the extremity of the environment. Identification of indicator species of salinity and alkalization makes it possible to determine the type of soil, water bodies and habitats as a rapid biomonitoring method as a visual observation, without the use of expensive equipment and chemical laboratory tests.

Ecological Potential of Freshwater Dam Reservoirs Based on Fish Index, First Evaluation in Poland

A pilot ichthyological index was developed for use within the Water Framework Directive in the area of Central and Eastern Europe for dam reservoirs, which are heavily modified water bodies. This is the first approach to assessing this water body type based on ichthyofauna in Poland. Various fishing gear types were used. The tested dam reservoirs were scattered throughout the country, from lowland to mountainous areas, with very diverse hydrological and morphological characteristics and pressure ranges based on the TSI index. In preliminary work, a correlation matrix with the TSI index’s pressure indicator was tested based on the abundance or biomass of fish species, fish families present, fishing gear used, and fishing depth range for a total of 588 cases. As a result of the tests carried out, the preliminary indicator was based on the ratio of the number of the two families Cyprinidae and Percidae. The correlation between the developed indicator and the pressure index was strong (r = 0.77; p < 0.001). The Percidae family exhibited a strong correlation with the most connections in the matrix. Based on the obtained results, the principle of using already confirmed relationships, such as the ratio between Cyprinidae and Percidae fish families, in the assessment of eutrophication was confirmed to be effective, guaranteeing the effective initial assessment of ecological potential.

Impact of greenery and waterbody on the cooling of city’s environment: a case of Rajshahi City

ABSTRACT Both plants and bodies of water are crucial to the health of the urban landscape. The degree to which these factors contribute to cooling appears, however, to change depending on factors such as location, time of year, and the mix of land use and land cover. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential role of trees and water in Rajshahi City Corporation in reducing urban heat island effect. As a first step, satellite images are processed to generate the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the modified normalized difference water index (MNDWI). The second step is to produce maps of vegetation and water features by using a decision tree (DT) algorithm fed with threshold values from the indices. After that, thermal bands from the Landsat 8 OLI and MODIS Terra Earth observation data are used to create a map of the land surface temperature (LST). Finally, this study assessed the effect of vegetation and water coverage on global surface temperatures by analyzing their spatial distributions. Different kinds of land cover can be found in and around urban centers. Therefore, this study chose two types of water bodies (big and small) and two types of vegetation (sparse and attached/compact) for experiment. Water bodies produce cooler temperatures than other land cover types, as shown by the data. It has been found, however, that cooling rates differ across large and small bodies of water. The surface temperatures of large bodies of water are typically lower than those of smaller bodies of water. Accordingly, it appears that expansive areas significantly impact the cooling of metropolitan environments. The findings also demonstrate a difference in surface temperature between areas of dense and sparse vegetation. The cooling impact of the sparse vegetation is much less than that of the dense and widespread vegetation. There was a significant relationship between surface warming and vegetation cover in this study (R2 = 0.81). Contrarily, the presence of water and vegetation is strongly correlated (R2 = 0.88) with surface warming. The findings also show that surface warming differs depending on land use. According to a study of four typical RCC locations, business districts and industrial zones have a far greater impact on local surface temperatures than do residential developments. The experiment demonstrates that the residential area with a high proportion of vegetation had a lower average temperature by nearly 2°C. The study’s findings highlight the value of maintaining urban parks and water features.

Spatiotemporal variations of plankton communities in different water bodies of the Yellow River: Structural characteristics, biogeographic patterns, environmental responses, and community assembly

Phytoplankton and zooplankton serve as critical indicators of aquatic ecological health, playing vital roles in nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems. Nevertheless, their biogeographic patterns and community assembly remain poorly understood, especially in large-scale watersheds. In this study, we collected plankton samples from typical reservoirs and river sections along the Yellow River during spring and summer to investigate their spatiotemporal dynamics, geographic patterns, and community assembly. Our results revealed that the diversity and composition of plankton communities varied with season significantly, showcasing higher diversity and density during summer. Distance-decay relationships highlighted significant correlations between environmental gradients and plankton community heterogeneity in both seasons, whereas spatial factors exerted a more prominent effect on phytoplankton during summer. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, and total suspended sediments emerged as the main environmental attributes affecting plankton composition, as illustrated by Mantel’s test. Both ecological niche differentiation and dispersal limitation contributed to plankton community construction, with ecological niche differentiation being more dominant in spring and dispersal limitation more influential on phytoplankton in summer. These findings enhance our understanding of the structural characteristics of plankton communities in the large-scale Yellow River, shedding light on their biogeographic patterns and community construction mechanisms within large river ecosystems.

Assessment of the applicability of atmospheric correction algorithms for Type I and Type II water bodies based on in-situ data - a case study using sentinel data

ABSTRACT The application of remote sensing technology in the retrieval of marine biophysical and physical parameters is becoming increasingly widespread. Accurate atmospheric correction is an essential prerequisite for subsequent retrieval of biophysical and physical parameters of water bodies. However, different atmospheric correction algorithms exhibit significant regional applicability variations across various water body types, requiring researchers to select suitable atmospheric correction algorithms for their study areas. In this study, utilizing Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 satellite data sources, global publicly available datasets, and in-situ synchronous measured reflectance data for Type I and Type II water bodies, we evaluated the accuracy of atmospheric correction using three types of algorithms based on radiative transfer, dark spectrum fitting, and neural networks. We analysed the sources of algorithm errors and their applicability from both algorithm principles and water body properties, providing criteria for selecting suitable atmospheric correction algorithms for different characteristic water bodies and proposing recommendations for improving correction accuracy.

The morphological and functional traits of water bodies enhance the explanatory power of directed spatial processes in predicting the variation of macrophyte communities under the conditions of river flow regulation

AbstractThe study evaluated the influence of aquatic environmental features, morphological and functional traits of water bodies and directional spatial processes on the macrophyte community of floodplain ecosystems formed as a result of water flow regulation by the construction of dams. The fluvial processes were found to be still the main factor in the formation of geomorphological and ecological characteristics of floodplain ecosystems, and also determine the spatial patterns of variability of aquatic macrophyte communities. The influence of water properties on macrophytes is significantly spatially structured, as it is modified by the morphological and functional characteristics of the water bodies. The exchange of water in the floodplain system is influenced by the functional types of water bodies, which explains their significant correlation with spatial variables. The development of macrophyte communities on a broad scale is driven by the characteristics of the aquatic environment, the morphology of the water bodies and the functional types of the water bodies. On a fine scale, the patterns are described by a pure spatial component. The impact of fine scale patterns on the variability of macrophyte communities increases with increasing community disturbance, both natural and anthropogenic.

A Review of the Density, Biomass, and Secondary Production of Odonates.

Freshwater insects are highly significant as ecosystem service providers, contributing to provisioning services, supporting services, and cultural services. Odonates are dominant predators in many freshwater systems, becoming top predators in fishless ecosystems. One service that odonates provide is the export of matter and energy from aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, we provide a review of the literature aiming to estimate the density, biomass, and secondary production of odonates and discuss to what extent this order of insects is relevant for the fertilization of terrestrial ecosystems. We found published data on 109 species belonging to 17 families of odonates from 44 papers. Odonata larvae are abundant in freshwater systems, with a mean density of 240.04 ± 48.01 individuals m-2 (±SE). Lentic habitats show much higher densities (104.40 ± 55.31 individuals m-2, N = 118) than lotic systems (27.12 ± 5.09, N = 70). The biomass estimations for odonates indicate values of 488.56 ± 134.51 mg m-2 y-1, with similar values in lentic and lotic habitats, which correspond to annual secondary productions of 3558.02 ± 2146.80 mg m-2 y-1. The highest biomass is found in dragonflies of the Aeshnidae, Corduliidae, and Gomphidae families. The available evidence suggests a significant potential contribution of Odonata to the exportation of material from water bodies to land. This is further strengthened by the ability of adult odonates to migrate and to colonize different types of water bodies.

Hydrochemical characterization and health risk assessment of different types of water bodies in Fenghuang Mountain Area, Northeast China.

Groundwater, as an essential resource, holds significant importance for human production and livelihoods. With the deterioration of the water environment, the issue of groundwater quality has become an urgent international concern. This study focused on the Fenghuang Mountain Area (FMA) and collected a total of 41 sets of samples including pore groundwater (PGW), fissure groundwater (FGW), karst groundwater(KGW), and river water(RW). Hydrochemical analysis methods were employed to identify the hydrochemical characteristics and controlling factors. The entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI) and health risk assessment model were utilized to assess the groundwater quality and nitrate health risk, respectively. The results indicated that the dominant anion and cation in both groundwater and surface water in the FMA were HCO3- and Ca2+, respectively, with the main hydrochemical type being HCO3-Ca. Groundwater and surface water in the FMA were primarily controlled by rock weathering process, with ion concentrations influenced mainly by the dissolution of halite, sylvite, carbonates (calcite and dolomite), silicates, and gypsum, as well as by reverse anion exchange process. PGW was significantly affected by agricultural activities, with NO3- concentration closely related to human activities. The water quality of FGW was relatively good, with Class I and Class II water accounting for the highest proportion, reaching 84.62%. The high-value area of EWQI in PGW was influenced by human activities. The impact of nitrate health risk on children was significantly greater than on adults, with FGW having the lowest health risk and PGW having the highest health risk. The research results can provide important guarantees for the rational development and utilization of water resources in the FMA and the sustainable development of the economy in Northeast China.

Colour range of euglenoid (Euglenophyceae) blooms

The presence of autotrophs, heterotrophs and mixotrophs among euglenoid taxa, multiple means of nutrition, and high tolerance to a wide range of thermal living conditions contribute to their colonization of various types of water bodies in different climatic zones. The formation of water “blooms” by euglenoids occurs during accelerated development and intensive cell division of these organisms. Euglenoids outcompete other microalgae and produce significant biomass under favorable conditions. The ability to produce temporal, reproductive and protective cysts also contributes to rapid bloom formations. Our observations suggest that their features probably make them model organisms for observing environmental changes in small water bodies. So far, little attention has been given to the species-dependent color variation of euglenoid blooms. Long-time research on euglenoid taxonomy, biogeography and habitat observations allow observers to recognize different blooms depending on the species causing the phenomenon: Euglena sanguinea, E. mutabilis, E. clara, E. hemichromata, E. geniculata, E. agilis, Euglenaria anabaena, Euglenaformis chlorophoenica, Monomorphina pyrum, Phacus pleuronectes, Ph. orbicularis, Lepocinclis ovum, Trachelomonas volvocina, T. volvocinopsis and T. caudata. The color range of euglenoid blooms are presented here for the first time.

The use of the self-organizing map (SOM) methodology to study the dissolved organic matter (DOM) in different water body types.

This study investigated the characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in two distinct water bodies, through the utilization of three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with self-organizing map (SOM) methodology. Specifically, this analysis concentrated on neurons 3, 14, and 17 within the SOM model, identifying notable differences in the DOM compositions of a coal subsidence water body (TX) and the MaChang Reservoir (MC). The humic substance content of DOM TX exceeded that of MC. The origin of DOM in TX was primarily linked to agricultural inputs and rainfall runoff, whereas the DOM in MC was associated with human activities, displaying distinctive autochthonous features and heightened biological activity. Principal component analysis revealed that humic substances dominated the DOM in TX, while the natural DOM in MC was primarily autochthonous. Furthermore, a multiple linear regression model (MLR) determined that external pollution was responsible for 99.11% of variation in the humification index (HIX) of water bodies.

Species diversity and structure of the fish community in different types water bodies of the Ergaki natural park (Western Sayan)

The Yenisei is one of the largest rivers on our planet. Flowing from south to north, it crosses all the natural zones of Siberia. The Yenisei basin covers the mountains and intermountain hollows of the Altai-Sayan mountainous country, the plateaus of Central and the lowlands of Western Siberia. The ichthyofauna of the flat part of the Yenisei basin is relatively well studied, while the data on the fish of the water bodies of the Western Sayan which are part of the Yenisei basin is limited in the available literature, and includes information only about the fish of some lakes. In this work, we studied of the ichthyofauna and the fish community of different types of water bodies in a specially protected natural area in the central part of the Western Sayan, in the Ergaki Natural Park — the Nizhnyaya Buiba and Bolshaya Oya rivers, and information about the ichthyofauna of Lake Oyskoye was clarified. In the studied water bodies, three species of fish (typical for rivers and lakes of the mountains of southern Siberia) were identified: Arctic grayling Thymallus arcticus (Pallas, 1776), Siberian loach Barbatula toni (Dybowski, 1869) and Eurasian minnow Phoxinus phoxinus (Linnaeus, 1758). Previously there was no information about the presence of Siberian loach in water bodies on the territory of the Ergaki Natural Park in the available scientific literature. The abundance and biomass of fish species varies significantly in different water bodies. Arctic grayling is common or dominant in rivers, Eurasian minnow is super dominant in the Nizhnyaya Buiba river and in the Oyskoe lake. In the Bolshaya Oya river, the superdominant species is the Siberian loach. Eurasian minnow in the Oyskoe lake is large of size.

New contributions to the knowledge of two riparian mosquitoes in northwestern Spain: Anopheles petragnani and Culex mimeticus (Diptera: Culicidae).

A study was carried out in 345 water ecosystems (rivers, streams, ditches, lagoons, ponds, puddles, rockpools, and artificial containers) throughout the autonomous community of Galicia (NW Spain) during different seasons between 2020 and 2023. The results revealed the first detections of Anopheles (Anopheles) petragnani Del Vechio, 1939 (n = 185) and Culex (Culex) mimeticus Noè, 1899 (n = 12) in the territory, allowing to update and expand the overall knowledge about their distribution and ecology. The breeding preferences of the species were analyzed considering habitat characteristics (land use, water body type, and degree of insolation), geographical variables (latitude, longitude, and altitude), and physical-chemical water parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids, and turbidity). In addition, the relationship between the occurrence of these species and other mosquitoes present in the study area was discussed. Anopheles petragnani is widely distributed in the region and shows breeding preferences for water bodies of fluvial origin, forest environments, and shaded situations. Culex mimeticus was detected sporadically breeding in a pond and in a river in the south of the region, both in industrial and agricultural land uses, and always exposed to the sun. Although the presence of these species may not currently pose a health risk in the region, it is important not neglecting their study since the adequate characterization of their larval biotopes is relevant regarding vector surveillance and control measures.

SYNTAXONOMICAL COMPOSITION AND COENOTIC STRUCTURE OF THE RIPARIAN-AQUATIC VEGETATION IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF WATER BODIES OF POLTAVA CITY

The article deals with the results of studying the syntaxonomical composition and structure of the communities of riparian-aquatic vegetation in different types of water bodies of the city of Poltava (artificial and natural reservoirs, the urban section of the middle River Vorskla), where, according to the ecological and floristic classification, 16 associations (including 2 variants) of six alliances and four orders of the class PHRAGMITO-MAGNOCARICETEA were identified. Of these, only two associations (Phragmitetum communis and Typhetum latifoliae) are the most typical in urban hydroecotopes.The studied plant associations are characterized by a low species richness, the absolute majority of them represents a simplified version of the original natural associations. Relatively higher species richness of some associations is due to the participation of species of hygro-mesophilic forbs, primarily elements of the synanthropic floral complex, which is associated with a significant disturbance of the natural vegetation cover in the urban area. The nature of the development of the described riparian-aquatic plant communities and the peculiarities of their floristic composition reflect the tendency to shallowing and waterlogging of urban hydroecotopes.In the rank of associations there are 14 communities in urban lentic water bodies and 8 communities on the urban section of the middle river. Most of the identified associations (8) are confined exclusively to urban reservoirs, while only 2 associations are specific to the urban section of the river. Of those 6 associations found both in urban reservoirs and in the middle river’s urban section, the river coenoses are more diverse and better developed.In the conditions of an urbanized environment, the middle river ecosystems show a higher resistance to anthropogenic influence compared to ecosystems of artificial urban water bodies, which is evidenced, in particular, by a more complex coenotic structure of common associations.

Diversity of Sarcocystis parasites in southeastern Baltic Sea catchment ecosystems.

Currently, research on apicomplexan Sarcocystis parasites is mainly carried out by analyzing animal carcasses. However, environmental studies would not only allow faster detection of possible sources of infection but also avoid the use of animals for investigations. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to identify tested Sarcocystis species in sediment collected from water bodies located in the southeastern Baltic countries. A total of 99 sediment samples were collected during the summer from different types of water bodies in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. Species-specific nested PCR targeting cox1 gene was used for the detection of selected Sarcocystis species (S. cruzi, S. bovifelis, S. hirsuta, S. arieticanis, S. tenella, S. capracanis, S. miescheriana, and S. bertrami) infecting livestock. The results showed a statistically lower (p < 0.05) occurrence of Sarcocystis parasites in Estonia (50%) compared to three countries, where the detection rate of Sarcocystis spp. DNA was remarkably higher, ranging from 88 to 100%. Among Sarcocystis species tested, S. cruzi (83.8%) and S. arieticanis (55.6%) using cattle and sheep as their intermediate hosts were most commonly identified. The detection rates of some of the analyzed Sarcocystis species were significantly different in southeastern Baltic countries. It is discussed that the detection rates of certain Sarcocystis species depend not only on the number of animals per 1 km2 but also on various ecological factors and farming practices that differ in the amount of contact domestic animals have with predators and the potential for animals to become infected through natural water or food sources.

Advances in Limnogeology: The lake‐basin‐type model revisited 25 years after…anomalies, conundrums and upgrades

AbstractThe lake‐basin‐type model classified the stratigraphic record of ancient lake systems according to rates of potential accommodation relative to sediment + water supply. The model convolved all modes and paths of water supply (direct fall, surficial, subsurface) with amounts and types of sediment supply (clastic, biogenic, chemical) into a single basin‐filling volume term (sediment + water); its major strength was its widespread applicability. This was supported by subsequent investigations confirming the utility of this approach, but it also revealed some important limitations due to simplifications in the original model. The model has been expanded here to address all inland waters (lakes, ponds, wetlands, playas) as well as adding two major subdivisions of the sediment + water term: (1) water supply paths and (2) the volume of water supply relative to sediment supply. Water supply flow paths in the subsurface are subdivided into ‘throughflow’, ‘recharge’ and ‘discharge’. Each of these groundwater hydrology states can be defined quite precisely by the ratio of net outflow to inflow, from persistently open to consistently closed. These paths can be deciphered using stable carbonate and oxygen isotope composition of primary lacustrine limestones, detailed sedimentology, stratigraphy, palaeontology and mineralogy. Distinguishing water supply paths provides additional insights into playa systems and the occurrence and character of evaporites and carbonates. The volume ratio of water to sediment supply most directly influences the water depths of lakes, ponds and wetlands, which affect water body hydrodynamics and ecosystem behaviour as well as the details of stratal stacking and depositional sequences. It helps fine‐tune estimates of the distribution of sediment texture, bedding, composition and organic matter content. The aim of this contribution is to address questions about the fundamental types of inland water bodies and to explain the new lake‐basin subtypes and provide examples that illustrate their potential to enable higher‐resolution, robust analysis of inland water systems and their stratigraphic records.