Distribution of epiphytic algae on macrophytes of various ecological groups (the case study of water bodies in the Dnieper River basin)

Abstract

Abstract The generalization and analysis of original data have shown that the nature of epiphytic algae distribution on higher aquatic plants, representing different ecological groups, is very similar in various types of numerous water bodies in the Dnieper River basin. Their species richness and values of quantitative indices were mostly higher on submerged plants compared to plants of other ecological groups. The number of epiphytic algae species was 1.1-1.7 times higher on submerged plants compared to that on half-submerged plants and 1.6-3.1 times higher compared to plants with floating leaves. The taxonomic structure and species composition of epiphyton were very similar on half-submerged and submerged plants and moderately similar on plants with floating leaves compared to macrophytes of other ecological groups. It is emphasized that the specificity of epiphytic algae distribution on macrophytes of various ecological groups should be taken into account when performing monitoring and assessment of the ecological status of water bodies by the bioindication method.