The Water Flow Regime in the Weir Area for Vascular and Rush Plant Species Composition

The hydrotechnical construction, damming up the riverbed, creates two zones of hydraulic conditions, which affect the water discharge and sediment transport routes, as well as plant species composition, as a habitat answer to the hydraulic regime. This study examined the diversity of the vascular an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water (Basel) 2023-09, Vol.15 (18), p.3189
Main Authors: Kiraga, Marta, Chyliński, Filip, Fornal-Pieniak, Beata, Ollik, Marcin, Staar, Aleksander
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aquatic plants
Biological diversity
Creeks & streams
Dams
Energy
Flow velocity
Flowers & plants
Hydraulic measurements
Hydraulics
Influence
Poland
Rivers
Sediment transport
Sedimentation & deposition
Soil erosion
Vegetation
Vortices
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Summary:The hydrotechnical construction, damming up the riverbed, creates two zones of hydraulic conditions, which affect the water discharge and sediment transport routes, as well as plant species composition, as a habitat answer to the hydraulic regime. This study examined the diversity of the vascular and rush plant species upstream and downstream of the weir. The Świder River, a small lowland river in Central Poland, was chosen as a study area. An examined river reach was located at 21 + 340 kilometers of the Świder River. Vegetation properties, plant species, and granulometric fraction composition were recognized at chosen cross-sections along the riverbed where specific hydraulic conditions could be met. The spatial distribution of vortices, smooth or rapid flow areas, and velocity pulsations influence the biotic environment, thereby affecting the species composition, quantity, and plant diversity. In the headwater zone, an environment more favorable to grain accumulation could be met, which was mixed with organic components in an agricultural catchment area. This phenomenon leads to creating favorable conditions for increased biodiversity. The present study demonstrated that small weirs could positively affect the composition of vascular and rush plants.
ISSN:2073-4441
2073-4441
DOI:10.3390/w15183189