Aquatic macrophyte community varies in urban reservoirs with different degrees of eutrophication

• Published in: Acta limnológica brasiliensia 2014-06, Vol.26 (2), p.129-142
• Main Authors: Silva, Suelen Cristina Alves da, Cervi, Armando Carlos, Bona, Cleusa, Padial, André Andrian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: biodiversidade; diversidade beta; eutrofização; LIMNOLOGY; plantas aquáticas; variação temporal
• ISSN: 2179-975X; 2179-975X
• DOI: 10.1590/S2179-975X2014000200004

AIM: Investigate spatial and temporal variation in the aquatic macrophyte community in four urban reservoirs located in Curitiba metropolitan region, Brazil. We tested the hypothesis that aquatic macrophyte community differ among reservoirs with different degrees of eutrophication. METHODS: The reservoirs selected ranged from oligotrophic/mesotrophic to eutrophic. Sampling occurred in October 2011, January 2012 and June 2012. Twelve aquatic macrophytes stands were sampled at each reservoir. Species were identified and the relative abundance of aquatic macrophytes was estimated. Differences among reservoirs and over sampling periods were analyzed: i) through two‑way ANOVAs considering the stand extent (m) and the stand biodiversity - species richness, evenness, Shannon-Wiener index and beta diversity (species variation along the aquatic macrophyte stand); and ii) through PERMANOVA considering species composition. Indicator species that were characteristic for each reservoir were also identified. RESULTS: The aquatic macrophyte stand extent varied among reservoirs and over sampling periods. Species richness showed only temporal variation. On the other hand, evenness and Shannon-Wiener index varied only among reservoirs. The beta diversity of macrophyte stands did not vary among reservoirs or over time, meaning that species variability among aquatic macrophyte stands was independent of the stand extent and reservoir eutrophication. Community composition depended on the reservoir and sampling period. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support our initial expectation that reservoirs of different degrees of eutrophication have different aquatic macrophyte communities. As a consequence, each reservoir had particular indicator species. Therefore, monitoring and management efforts must be offered for each reservoir individually. OBJETIVO: Investigar variações espaciais e temporais na comunidade de macrófitas aquáticas em quatro reservatórios urbanos localizados na região metropolitana de Curitiba, Brasil. Nós testamos a hipótese que a comunidade de macrófitas aquáticas varia entre reservatórios com diferentes graus de eutrofização. MÉTODOS: Os reservatórios selecionados diferem de oligotrófico/mesotrófico à eutrófico. As coletas ocorreram em Outubro de 2011, Janeiro de 2012 e Junho de 2012. Doze bancos de macrófitas aquáticas foram amostrados em cada reservatório. Espécies de macrófitas aquáticas foram identificadas e suas abundâncias relativas foram estimadas. Foram analisa