Composition and characteristics of macrophytic communities in … · 2014. 3. 11. · Mary...
Transcript of Composition and characteristics of macrophytic communities in … · 2014. 3. 11. · Mary...
Composition and characteristics
of macrophytic communities in
small streams in Ireland
Lynda Weekes
Ronan Matson
Mary Kelly-Quinn
Background information:
PhD Project started in 2013.
Aims:
• Development of an Irish aquatic vegetation classification
system
• Development of monitoring protocol for Irish Rivers to
support biodiversity reporting requirements and
conservation planning.
© Liam Lysaght
>2,000 relevés from following sources:
• Environmental Protection Agency
• National Parks & Wildlife Service
• National Biodiversity Data Centre
• Inland Fisheries Ireland
• Northern Ireland Environment Agency
• Academic post-graduate projects:Matson R. 2006Caffrey, J. 1990
Subset of 106 relevés:
Criteria:
• Strahler order: 1 or 2
• Channel width: <3m
• Good water quality
• Unmodified
• Relevés with common environmental variables
Aim of this study: To describe the composition and characteristics of macrophyticcommunities in small streams
River Macrophytes:
Vascular plantsBryophytes:
Mosses
Liverworts
Macroalgae
(seen with the naked eye)
© Lynda Weekes
© Lynda Weekes
© Lynda Weekes
© Lynda Weekes
Preliminary analyses:Statistical programme used: PC-ORD
Analyses carried out:
• Hierarchical Cluster Analysis
• Multi-Response Permutation Procedures (MRPP) to validate groupings
• Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling (NMS) on clusters
• Principle Componant Analysis (PCA) on environmental factors
• Indicator species analysis
• Monte Carlo test to validate indicator species
Main significant environmental drivers:
• Water pHMost influential factors in this study
• Flow rate
• Substrate
• Calcareous/non calcareous bedrock
• Shade
• Altitude (least influential)
Information Remaining (%)100 75 50 25 0
Api nodGly speFon antPel epiVerr speCall speSpi spePot speSpa ereBra rivChi polRhy ripVer becCla speCon conTha speOen croIri pseHyg speEle speMar emaFon squLem spePho speRor nasVau speBra pluRac speFis speRan flaHyo armSca undPel speSph speJung speBer erePha aruMen aquLem minBry speDicr spePhi fonMyo scoRan batrCalg speCalt palEqu palCin fonHil speLep ripPla rosVer xlacBat speJun bulBli acu
Lowland, Light, fine, slow, alkaline, calcareous
Mountainous, rock, fast, acid, non calcareous
Lowland, fine/cobble, moderate, alkaline, calcareous
Rock/boulders, fast, acid, non calcareous
Light, boulders, fast, calcareous
Lowland, waters edge, calcareous
Gravel, edge
Light, alkaline, calcareousBryophyte dominated
6 indicator spp.
8 indicator spp.
2 indicator spp.
7 indicator spp.
8 indicator spp.
2 indicator spp.
3 indicator spp.
1 indicator spp.
Community description: Group 1
© Orache Wikicommons
© James Lynsey Wikicommons© Lynda Weekes
© Lynda Weekes
Sparganium erectumApium nodiflorum
Glyceria fluitans
Fontinalisantipyretica
Community description: Group 2
© Hermann Schachner Wikicommons
© Lynda Weekes
© Zell Wikicommons
© Tigerente Wikicommons
© Herm
ann SchachnerWikicommons
Iris pseudacorus
Conocephalum conicum
Chilopscyphus polyanthus
Rhyncostegium riprioides Brachythecium rivulare
Community description: Group 4
©www.cisfbr.org.uk© Hermann Schachner Wikicommons
© Hermann Schachner Wikicommons
© Hermann Schachner Wikicommons
© Ronan Matson
Racomitrium aciculare
Jungermannia atrovirens
Hyocomium armoricum
Scapania undulata
Information Remaining (%)100 75 50 25 0
Api nodGly speFon antPel epiVerr speCall speSpi spePot speSpa ereBra rivChi polRhy ripVer becCla speCon conTha speOen croIri pseHyg speEle speMar emaFon squLem spePho speRor nasVau speBra pluRac speFis speRan flaHyo armSca undPel speSph speJung speBer erePha aruMen aquLem minBry speDicr spePhi fonMyo scoRan batrCalg speCalt palEqu palCin fonHil speLep ripPla rosVer xlacBat speJun bulBli acu
Lowland, Light, fine, slow, alkaline, calcareous
Mountainous, rock, fast, acid, non calcareous
Lowland, fine/cobble, moderate, alkaline, calcareous
Rock/boulders, fast, acid, non calcareous
Light, boulders, fast, calcareous
Lowland, waters edge, calcareous
Gravel, edge
Light, alkaline, calcareousBryophyte dominated
Api nod
Bat spe
Ber ereBli acu
Bra plu
Bra riv
Bry spe
Calg spe
Call spe
Calt pal
Chi pol
Cin fon
Cla spe Con con
Dicr spe
Ele spe
Equ pal
Fis spe
Fon ant
Fon squ
Gly spe
Hil spe
Hyg spe
Hyo arm
Iri pse
Jun bul
Jung spe
Lem spe
Lem min
Lep rip
Mar ema
Men aqu
Myo scoOen cro
Pel epi
Pel spe
Pha aru
Phi fon
Pho spe
Pla ros
Pot spe
Rac spe
Ran fla
Ran batr
Ror nas
Rhy rip
Sca und
Spa ere
Sph spe
Spi spe
Tha spe
Vau spe
Ver bec
Ver xlac
Verr spe
NMS1
Axis 1
Axi
s 2
11
1 5
2 6
3 7
4 8 Lowland, slow, calcareous
Mountainous, fast, non calcareous
Lowland, calcareous
Rock/boulders, fast, non calcareous
Gravel, edge
Calcareous, bryophyte dominated
Phytosociological classification a challenge for bryophyte dominated communities:
- Few studies to date on bryophyte-dominated river communities.
- Generally phytosociological classifications are based on vascular plants (rarely present in smaller fast flowing streams)
Limitations of present data in relation to:
- Plot size – Generally large and most likely encompassing several communities (e.g. bank, pool, riffle)
- Field recording approach differences depending on survey focus
- Challenges ahead
Conclusion:
• Distinct small stream communities were identified
• Significant environmental factors and indicator species were identified
• A number of indicator species - similar to those found for headwaters by Dr. Ronan Matson in his PhD (2006).
Thank you to:
• Those who kindly shared their river vegetation data
• For statistical advice and guidance:
Heather LallyEdel Hannigan
© Ronan Matson