Bioindication

Para facilitar y homogeneizar el tratamiento y la interpretación de la información generada en las redes de control biológico se presenta una colección de fichas descriptivas de los organismos fitobentónicos que incluyen: nombre científico, común, sinónimo, propiedades, descripción, ecología, ruta taxonómica e índices y métricas, foto o ilustración incluyendo la propiedad y el autor. Esta guía ha sido elaborada por la Dirección General del Agua y forma parte de una colección de cinco tomos.

The research on algal communities’ response to altitude and altitude-related climatic conditions is sparse. So far, a full,
accessible list of algae from the water bodies of the South-Tajik Depression has not been available. We compiled an algal species list of 1190 taxa that were revealed by us or listed in references in the South-Tajik Depression high-mountain rivers Kafirnigan, Vakhsh, Kyzylsu, Yakhsu, and Tairsu and in the lakes of its basin. The altitude gradient of the studied area is about 2500 m above sea level. An altitude-related algal diversity analysis was done with help of statistics and bioindication. The Willis curve for the distribution of species to genera had a trend line of R2 = 0.92. A multivariate analysis was used for quantitative estimates of the ecological tolerance ranges of critical species and for detecting cardinal factors and trends at local water bodies to global levels of biodiversity evolution. Our analysis shows that species distribution was strongly affected by altitude and altitude-related climatic variables. Statistical methods revealed that temperatures stimulate algal species diversity, while precipitation and altitude suppress it. One of the floristic complexity criteria is the average species richness of the algal genera or the infraspecies to species ratio, which increased from 1.12 to 1.20 and reflects increases in structural complexity with altitude. Therefore, high altitude stresses algal communities and stimulates species polymorphism as a compensatory mechanism for algal species survival. Our approach is pertinent to the problem of floristic differentiation under climate change and climatic instability.

Altogether 272 species and infraspecific taxa of algae and cyanobacteria were identified in the Enguri River habitats during 1974-1977, and 2014 field trips. Total list of algal flora including our findings and reference lists is represented by 339 taxa (excluding diatoms) and most of them were bio-indicators. Charophyta, Cyanobacteria and Chlorophyta species were dominated in communities. Altitude play the major role in distribution patterns of algal diversity and ecological groups of water quality indicators.

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires that the European Union countries determine the biological state of their waters with respect to sites of high quality. Despite bioindicators have been widely applied in running waters and deep lakes throughout all Europe, little is known about their applicability in shallow lakes. In this context, the objective of this work is to check the effectiveness of epiphytic diatoms as indicators of the trophic state in six shallow lakes of León Province (NW Spain). Epiphyton was sampled from helophyte stems in six shallow lakes covering different ecological conditions. A significant correlation was found between the total nitrogen concentration and the diatom indices SPI (Specific Polluosensitivity Index) and BDI (Biological Diatom Index), this correlation being lower with respect to the total phosphorus concentration. The classification of the lakes according to the trophic and saprobic levels based on diatoms corresponds to that obtained from the analysis of the limnological and chemical parameters of the studied systems. Despite the use of these indices has been traditionally limited to rivers and channels, our results show the effectiveness of epiphytic diatoms as biological indicators of the quality of water in Mediterranean shallow lakes and the applicability of common diatom indices for biomonitoring purposes in these aquatic ecosystems.

– Biomonitoring is central to the European Union's Water Framework Directive (WFD) and to the French water and aquatic environmental law, but most diatom indices do not separate different anthropogenic impacts. To address this gap, the effect of water chemistry on diatom ecological guilds and life forms was assessed in order to indicate stream perturbations. Generalised additive models (GAMs) were built on a large-scale data set of 1571 samples from the French monitoring network. The relationships between diatom ecological guild and life form metrics were investigated by Principal components analysis and the results predicted by GAMs. The models characterised eight chemical parameters that modified adaptive strategies (ecological guilds) and growth morphology (life forms). Total phosphorus, conductivity, nitrate and pH are the main influencing factors, followed by temperature, dissolved oxygen and organic matter. The findings confirm three groups of diatoms with different adaptive strategies: 1 – fast moving species, 2 – species growing close to the substrate and 3 – species extending to the surface layers of the biofilm. Thirteen diatom metrics displayed a variety of responses to different ranges of the eight chemical parameters. These metrics could be used to help to identify and quantify which chemical alterations are caused by polluted effluents in rivers.

– La bioindication est centrale dans la directive cadre européenne sur l'eau et la loi française sur l'eau, mais la plupart des indices diatomiques ne séparent pas les différents impacts anthropiques. Pour combler ce manque, l'effet de la physico-chimie de l'eau sur les guildes écologiques et formes de vies des diatomées a été étudié pour indiquer des perturbations des cours d'eau. Des modèles additifs généralisés (GAMs) ont été construits sur un jeu de données de 1571 échantillons des réseaux de suivi des cours d'eau français. Les relations entre les métriques de guildes écologiques et formes de vie des diatomées ont été étudiées par une ACP et les résultats prédits par des GAMs. Les modèles ont caractérisé huit paramètres physico-chimiques qui modifient les stratégies adaptatives (guildes écologiques) et morphologies de croissance (formes de vie). Le phosphore total, la conductivité, les nitrates et le pH sont les facteurs les plus influents, suivis par la température, l'oxygène dissous et la matière organique. Les résultats confirment trois groupes de diatomées avec des stratégies adaptatives différentes : 1 – les espèces se déplaçant rapidement, 2 – les espèces proches du substrat et 3 – les espèces s'étendant vers la surface du biofilm. Quatorze métriques diatomiques ont montré une variété de réponses à différentes gammes de valeurs des huit paramètres physico-chimiques. Ces métriques pourraient être utilisées pour aider à identifier et quantifier quelles altérations chimiques sont causées par les rejets polluants dans les rivières.

On the basis of our collected material and historical information we assess phytoplankton dynamics in Kondopoga Bay, the
Lake Onego in 1993-2011. The summer communities from continuously studied sampling stations contain 100 species belonging to
eight divisions: Bacillariophyta, 40; Chlorophyta, 25; Cyanobacteria, 13; Chrysophyta, 12; Euglenophyta, 2; Dinophyta, 4; Cryptophyta,
3; and Xanthophyta, 1. Sample richness varied between 16 and 54 species, with a negative overall trend during the study
period, but increases in Cyanobacteria and Dinophyta. Bioindication analysis shows that water acidification slowly rising from
1993 to 2011 with organic pollution (Index saprobity S) and the number of species with heterotrophic ability. In 1990s, the total
abundance and biomass were on average 1.5 times higher than in 2000-2011, having similar fluctuation ranges (Pearson 0.74),
with peaks in 1996 and 2006. At the same time, species richness decreased, showing a depletion of algal communities. Two critically
impacted periods are revealed with the Shannon index in 1996 and 2007 and on the basis of the Aquatic Ecosystem State Index
(WESI) calculation in 1995 and 2007, related to Kondopoga industrial wastewater influx enriched in nutrients and other contaminants.
As a whole, the WESI was extremely high, reflecting a high self-purification capacity in respect to phosphate concentration
in the bay. The canonical corresponded analysis (CCA) shows two different sets of taxa, those stimulated by temperature and nitric
nitrogen (Anabaena scheremetievii Elenkin, Dolichospermum lemmermannii (Ricter) P. Wacklin, L. Hoffmann & J. Komárek, and
Aulacoseira alpigena (Grunow) Krammer), and sensitive autotroph species inhabiting cool to temperate clear waters (Aulacoseira
distans (Ehrenberg) Simonsen, Ankistrodesmus fusiformis Corda ex Korshikov, Mucidosphaerium pulchellum (H.C. Wood) C. Bock,
Proschold & Krienitz). The comparative statistics with GRAPS program revealed two cores of species richness in years 1996 and
2011 that included most of species. The long-term dynamics of relative cell volume shows that phytoplankton communities were enriched
with small-celled species, such as Cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa (Kützing) Kützing) and Cryptophyta (Cryptomonas
sp. and Katablepharis ovalis Skuja) in the period between 1998 and 2006. Pearson correlation for Shannon index and relative cell
biovolume is negative (-0.79), showing high stability of species rich communities under environmental impacts. Two periods of dinoflagellate
blooms (1998, 2007) followed the peaks of total abundance and biomass (1996, 2006). Such correlation makes the Kondopoga
Bay ecosystem comparable to those of large lakes in spite of a heavier anthropogenic impact from Kondopoga pulp and
paper mill wastewater.

En esta obra se recogen los 200 taxones de diatomeas (pertenecientes a 60 géneros distintos) más importantes de las identificadas en más de 600 muestras de epiliton fluvial recogidas durante campañas de muestreo efectuadas entre 2003 y 2007 en la parte española de la cuenca, dentro de los programas de seguimiento del estado de las masas de agua superficiales de la Confederación Hidrográfica del Duero. Esta selección atiende a un doble criterio, que valora la importancia de cada taxón dentro del inventario general de la cuenca, de forma que se han considerado las especies más abundantes y/o más ampliamente distribuidas en la zona de estudio; así como, por su interés florístico o biogeográfico, se incluyen algunos taxones adicionales (especies exóticas, poco conocidas o que representan novedades para la Península). Para cada especie se ofrece la siguiente información: una descripción morfológica y autoecológica (parte II), un mapa de distribución en la cuenca del Duero (parte III) y una serie de fotografías en microscopía óptica de campo claro donde se ilustra la variabilidad morfológica de cada taxón, reunidas en 36 láminas (parte II).

Biotic indices based on macro-invertebrates and diatoms are frequently used to diagnose ecological quality in watercourses, but few published works have assessed their effectiveness as biomonitors of the concentration of micropollutants. A biological survey performed at 188 sites in the basin of the River Duero in north-western Spain. Nineteen diatom and six macro-invertebrate indices were calculated and compared with the concentrations of 37 different toxicants by means of a correlation analysis. Several chemical variables analysed correlated significantly with at least one biotic index. Sladecˇek’s diatom index and the number of macro-invertebrate families exhibited particularly high correlation coefficients. Methods based on macro-invertebrates performed better in detecting biocides, while diatom indices showed stronger correlations with potentially toxic elements such as heavy metals. All biotic indices, and particularly diatom indices, were especially sensitive to the concentration of fats and oils and trichloroethene.

Several methods for water quality assessment have been proposed for European rivers. The EU Water Framework Directive requires the use of ecological indicators for stream monitoring networks and has encouraged research on biological indices. However, there is a lack of integrative studies comparing the efficiency of such methods in the determination of the ecological status in rivers. The present work, carried out in the Spanish side of the Duero Basin, the largest in the Iberian Peninsula, aimed at comparing different water quality indices. The survey was conducted during autumn 2003 and summer 2004 in 95 sites covering the entire basin. Epilithic diatoms and benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled and analysed following standard methods for the calculation of the macroinvertebrate index IBMWP and 18 different diatom indices. Additionally, water physical and chemical variables were measured and Habitat (IHF) and Riparian (RQI) indices were determined in situ. In general, both diatom and macroinvertebrate indices were strongly correlated with each other and with abiotic factors. The highest correlation coefficients between water physical and chemical data (especially with the concentrations of phosphates and N-derived compounds) were obtained for the diatom index SPI and the IBMWP, though no biotic method detected changes in the concentrations of toxicants (Zn2+, Cr III). The use of diversity metrics as monitoring indices is not recommended. The results indicated that several different biotic indices, based on a wide range of biotic communities, must be integrated in water quality surveillance protocols, in order to reflect complementary aspects of the ecological status in river ecosystems.

En verano de 2005 se realizó un muestreo en 140 estaciones de la red ICA de la cuenca del Duero, a fin de determinar la calidad ecológica del agua en estos puntos utilizando diatomeas como bioindicadores. Los resultados muestran que el índice de diatomeas más apropiado para esta cuenca es el Índice de Poluosensibilidad Específica(IPS). Según este índice, el 61, 4% de los puntos alcanzan un estado ecológico de sus aguas "Bueno" o "Muy Bueno", cumpliendo con los objetivos determinados por la Directiva Marco del Agua. Sin embargo, el 38, 6% de los puntos no llegan a un nivel aceptable según dicho criterio.

Se propone un método para la toma de muestras de diatomeas epífitas en lagos y lagunas con el fin de aplicar dichas comunidades algales en la determinación del estado ecológico de estos sistemas acuáticos de acuerdo con los requisitos de la Directiva Marco del Agua. La metodología se basa en el empleo de muestradores tipo Kornijów para la recolección del epifiton desarrollado sobre helófitos. Los resultados preliminares muestran la eficacia de este método en la evaluación de la calidad del agua. La aplicación de esta sencilla metodología permite el empleo de las diatomeas epífitas como indicadores biológicos de los medio lacustres, generando resultados reproducibles en el tiempo y basados en un protocolo común fácilmente aplicable.

Knowledge of habitat suitability for freshwater mussels is an important step in the conservation of this endangered species group. We describe a protocol for performing in situ juvenile exposure tests within oligotrophic river catchments over one-month and three-month periods. Two methods (in both modifications) are presented to evaluate the juvenile growth and survival rate. The methods and modifications differ in value for the locality bioindication and each has its benefits as well as limitations. The sandy cage method works with a large set of individuals, but only some of the individuals are measured and the results are evaluated in bulk. In the mesh cage method, the individuals are kept and measured separately, but a low individual number is evaluated. The open water exposure modification is relatively easy to apply; it shows the juvenile growth potential of sites and can also be effective for water toxicity testing. The within-bed exposure modification needs a high workload but is closer to the conditions of a natural juvenile environment and it is better for reporting the real suitability of localities. On the other hand, more replications are needed in this modification due to its high-hyporheic environment variability.

Twelve transects, each 7 km long and 10 m wide (in groups of six in
Lithuania and Poland), and additional five areas (three on the Lithuanian
side and two on the Polish side) were chosen for the evaluation of lichen
diversity along the Via Baltica highway in the segment between Marijampolë
and Suwalki towns. The study area was similar geographically, but
had a different history of land-use practices determined by different human
activities in both countries.
A total of 194 species of lichens were registered during the present
study in the whole investigated area; 165 species were reported from the
Lithuanian part and 136 from the Polish part.
In the Polish part of the study area, among the commonest species
acidophilous lichens were more frequently registered, meanwhile on the
Lithuanian side nitrophilous species were more common. On the other
hand, most of the lichens characteristic of forests with a long ecological
continuity were registered only in the Lithuanian part of the study area.
The large-scale totally replacing sylviculture combined with relatively intensive
agriculture affected lichen diversity more adversely than the agricultural
landscape intermixed with surviving islands of natural biotopes. The
differences in lichen diversity were caused by a decrease of landscape/
biotope diversity on the Polish side and maintenance of landscape/biotope
diversity through a more traditional land-use on the Lithuanian side.

We revealed 238 species and infraspecific taxa of algae and cyanobacteria in phytoplankton communities in lakes of the Regional Landscape Park “Slavyansky Resort”, Ukraine during 2007-2013 of the total 352 known in the region assigned to nine taxonomic Divisions with Bacillariophyta, Cyanoprocaryota, and Chlorophyta prevailing. The bio-indication methods applied for the first time characterizes the aquatic environments as slightly alkaline, medium-enriched with oxygen, temperate, clear to moderately polluted, of Water Quality Classes II-III, eutrophic, but with photosynthetic algal nutrition attesting to insignificant concentration of toxic substances despite a considerable anthropogenic impact. The algal diversity is depressed with salinity of the lakes. The statistical analysis defines two clusters, the northern with perennial lakes Ripne, Veysove, Garache, and Slipne, and southern of partially drained lakes Levadne, Chervone, and Lake. Aridity is a major factor of water chemistry inflicting high salinity and depletion of species diversity. Historically salinity might have played a leading role in shaping the algal communities of the region.

In order to determine water quality status in the Duero basin (NW Spain), epilithic diatom samples were collected and analyzed in 137 stations in August 2004 following normalized standard protocols. The floristic particularities of the diatom assemblages in the basin are discussed. A total of 429 diatom taxa were identified in the basin and 90 taxa (21%) were new for the Iberian Peninsula. Especially noticeable was the presence of Achnanthidium rivulare, only known until now from North America. Ordination revealed the existence of five species assemblages related to the following environmental factors: 5-Day Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), [PO43-], and conductivity. Light and scanning electron microscopy micrographs are provided for some common, infrequent or exotic diatom species present in the Duero basin. Three diatom indices (Specific Pollution Index SPI, European Index CEC and Biological Diatom Index BDI) were applied. All of them correlated significantly with water physical and chemical variables, but SPI achieved the best correlations, and is therefore recommended as the reference diatom index for this Mediterranean basin.

The Lower Jordan River stretches from the outlet of Lake Kinneret till the Dead Sea and is one of the most polluted rivers in Israel. In order to estimate the aquatic ecosystem of the northern part of the Lower Jordan River we used algal communities as biological indicators in the rainy and dry seasons of 2005 and 2007. We found 152 species of algae and cyanoprokaryotes from seven taxonomic divisions, which were mostly dominated by diatoms accompanied by the greens, blue‐greens and euglenoids. The xanthophycean species Heterococcus viridis, a red freshwater alga Audouinella hermannii, and a cyanobacterium Microcrocis marina were found for the first time in Israel. In the ecological analysis we revealed groups of freshwater algae according to pH, salinity, and saprobity as well as temperature, streaming and oxygenation. Quantitative information on the relationship between species and environmental variables was obtained using CCA analysis, emphasizing the major seasonal parameters. The extent of association of species with the environmental variables vector allowed us to determine the bio‐sensors and bio‐indicators, which may be relevant for monitoring of pollutants in the Lower Jordan River. The combination of bio‐indicational methods and statistics were effective in the determination of the main factors influencing algal diversity, as well as in revealing the indicators or bio‐sensing species for the most important environmental variables.

Paper presents the review of problems in the algal Teratogenesis and demonstrates the samples of aberrant forms generation in freshwater environment. Diversity of aberrant forms in green, diatom algae and cyanobacteria are demonstrated. In cyanobacteria was revealed aberrant forms in Microcystis and Woronichinia as enlarges of cell size and losses of gas vesicles. Green algae Ulothrix was found as dimorphic thalluses in filamentous and coccoid forms. Different diatom species were presented in diverse deformation of shells contour as well as the fine structure aberrance. Causes of teratogenesis were investigated, and revealed that absence of dissolved oxygen in water and decrease in water pH are critical factors for cyanobacteria and green algae aberrancy. But some diatom species were formed ugly cells under influence of sum of factors related to the technogenical pollution by heavy metals and boron. Therefore, these deformations of cells in diatom, green algae, and cyanobacteria can be used for bioindication of environment change.

In 59 samples of periphyton and phytoplankton collected in 2002 - 2003 from the Nahal Qishon (Qishon River), northern Israel, we found 178 species from seven divisions of algae and cyanoprocaryotes. Diatoms, clorophytes, and cyanoprocaryotes prevail. Nitzschia and Navicula (Bacillariophyta) are the most abundant. Most of the species are cosmopolitan or widespread, except Lagynion janei (Chrysophyta), which is endemic for the Mediterranean Realm. About 17% of species (26) are new for Israel and five of them represent the first recorded genera: Crinalium endophyticum Crow, Actinocyclus normanii (Gregory) Hustedt, Rhizoclonium hieroglyphicum (Agardh) Kütz (Chlorophyta), Lagynion janei Bourelly, and Stylococcus aureus Chodat. Most of them come from a rare riverine assemblage with red alga Audouinella pygmea, as well as from the estuarine assemblage. Alkaliphiles predominate among the indicators of acidity, with few acidophiles confined to the communities under the impact of industrial wastes. Among the indicators of salinity, most numerous are the oligohalobien-indifferents and species adapted to a moderate salinity level. The relative species richness of ecological groups and the indices of saprobity are correlated with changes in conductivity, pH, and N-nitrate concentration. Indicators of organic pollution fall in the range of betameso- to alfamesosaprobic self-purification grades. Our studies show ecological significance of the Nahal Qishon as a model for a strongly disturbed aquatic ecosystem in the coastal zone of eastern Mediterranean.

Species diversity of epiphytic diatoms in Peter the Great Baу, Japan Sea is studied. 112 species and intraspecific taxa of diatoms from Bacillariophyceae (79), Fragilariophyceae (15) and Coscinodiscophyceae (18) are revealed. 9 species for Russian water of Japan Sea first time are marked. Minimum of number species of epiphytic diatoms (50 species), increase contribution of α-mesosaprobionts (38 % from total number species) and predominance of  brakishwater and marine microalgae forms (43 %) by median water salinity 21.5 0/00 were marked for powerfully pollution water areas. The background water areas are characteristically by maximum epiphytic species diversity (77), absence of α-mesosaprobionts (0 %), and  increase contribution of marine microalgae forms (76 %) by water salinity 33.03 0/00. The axial thallus type has total number of epiphytic diatoms was 1.5-3 once more, then by lamellar thallus. The obtain data may draw a conclusion about more unfavorably ecological situation in present day be available in quite the coastal number water areas of Peter the Great of Japan Sea, subjecting to chronic anthropogenic pollutions. These water areas included of Vladivostok, Nakhodka and Slavyanka ports waters and estuary type some basins.

We recognized 350 species and infraspecific taxa of algae from nine taxonomic Divisions (Cyanoprokaryota, Euglenophyta, Chrysophyta, Dinophyta, Xanthophyta, Cryptophyta, Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta and Charophyta) in 121 phytoplankton samples collected during 2007–2013 from seven lakes in the wetlands of the Regional Landscape Park Slavyansky Resort. Among them, we selected fourteen dominant species of algae with more than 75% abundance and characterized their habitats with bio-indication methods in respect of substrate preference, temperature, oxygenation, pH, salinity, organic enrichment, N-uptake metabolism and trophic states. Most active species were salt-tolerant and confined to the slightly alkaline water, with a moderate content of dissolved oxygen and low organic pollution, which characterize the unique environment of these protected saline lakes. Despite the fact that the ecologically active species do not exceed 5% of the recorded species diversity, they constitute the major part of algal abundance and biomass. Therefore, monitoring of dominant species is the most direct way for adequately assessing the ecological state of the protected water bodies in the wetlands.

Stable nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) in bioindicators are increasingly employed to identify nitrogen sources in many ecosystems and biological characteristics of the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) make it an appropriate species for this purpose. To assess nitrogen isotopic fractionation associated with assimilation and baseline variations in oyster mantle, gill, and muscle tissue δ15N, manipulative fieldwork in Chesapeake Bay and corresponding modeling exercises were conducted. This study (1) determined that five individuals represented an optimal sample size; (2) verified that δ15N in oysters from two locations converged after shared deployment to a new location reflecting a change in nitrogen sources; (3) identified required exposure time and temporal integration (four months for muscle, two to three months for gill and mantle); and (4) demonstrated seasonal δ15N increases in seston (summer) and oysters (winter). As bioindicators, oysters can be deployed for spatial interpolation of nitrogen sources, even in areas lacking extant populations.

This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of Sempre-viva (Paepalanthus sp.) and Canela-de-ema (Velloziasquamata) composed predominantly of moist grassland and of the Serra da Canastra National Park. The plots methodology was used, population density estimator two indexes of bioindication (Degree of Reliability and Importance Factor) were calculated to evaluate the biotic integrity of the ecosystem.The respective Morisita (ID) and bioindicators (GC, FI) indexes for Velloziasquamata (ID = 1.91; CG = 5.25, FI = 28%) and Paepalanthus sp. (ID = 2.49; CG = 5.25, FI = 28%) were obtained. For bioindication reliability was considered satisfactory, but the importance factor was not. Paepalanthussp is intrinsically related to the type and the humidity of the soils present in the moist grassland. Velloziasquamata shows great sensitivity and adaptability to the rock formation. The observed pollination processes (Hymenoptera, Diptera and Hemiptera) in Vellozia demonstrate the importance of this taxon in this phytophysiognomy. Resumo A Serra da Canastra compreende um mosaico de fitofisionomias do Cerrado, desde florestais e savânicas até campestres. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a distribuição de sempre-viva (Paepalanthus sp.) e canela-de-ema (Vellozia squamata) num mosaico vegetacional composto predominantemente por campo limpo úmido e ilhas de campo rupestre, na região da nascente do Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra. Foi utilizada a metodologia de parcelas, estimador de densidade populacional e foram calculados 2 índices de bioindicação (Grau de confiabilidade e Fator de Importância) para avaliação da integridade biótica do ecossistema. Foram obtidos os respectivos índices de Morisita (ID) e bioindicação (GC e FI) para Vellozia squamata (ID=1,91; GC=5,25; FI=28%) e para Paepalanthus sp. (ID=2,49; GC=5,25; FI=28%). Para bioindicação, a confiabilidade foi considerada satisfatória, mas o fator de importância não. A distribuição Paepalanthus sp está intrinsecamente relacionada ao tipo e à umidade dos solos presentes no campo limpo úmido. Vellozia squamata demonstra grande sensibilidade e adaptabilidade à formação rupestre. Os processos de polinização registrados (por Hymenoptera, Diptera e Hemiptera) em Vellozia demonstram a importância deste táxon nesta fitofisionomia.

No one information about algal community diversity from the Arys River basin was before this study. The first data about algal and cyanobacteria species diversity was represented for the Arys River basin and compared it to freshwater algae patterns of the related mountain regions. Altogether 82 species were found in 28 samples of phytoperiphyton on 13 sampling stations of the Arys River and its tributaries. Diatoms prevail in studied algal flora. Bioindication characterize the Arys River waters as temperate, moderately oxygenated, fresh, neutral water affected by a low to moderate level of organic pollution, Class II-III of water quality. The pattern of algae and cyanobacteria diversity distribution depends on altitude and local climatic and environmental conditions. Bacillariophyta species was richest in high mountain habitats, green algae, cyanobacteria and charophytes avoid high mountain habitats and have negative correlation with altitude. These results can be used as indicator of environmental changes in the mountainous areas. Three floristic groups were recognized in the studied river communities corresponding to the upper, middle and lower parts of the watershed. The general trend is an increase of species diversity from lowland areas to the high mountains. Our analysis revealed the altitude of habitat and related climatic factors control over the major diversity patterns in the Arys River basin, the second largest river in Southern Kazakhstan.

First study of new locality the Mount Arbel National Park and Nature Reserve with charophyte algae in the Lower Galilee region of Israel has been implemented for revealing of algal diversity and ecological assessment of the water object environment by bio-indication methods. Altogether twenty nine species of algae including one of them macro-algae Chara vulgaris L. were revealed in the Arbel stream. Chara was
found in massive growth in the middle part of studied stream. Bio-indication and chemical variables characterize the charophyte site environment as mesotrophic to eutrophic with prevailing of benthic type of organisms of autotrophic type of nutrition, which are mostly attached of substrate and preferred slow streaming water with temperate temperature, low salinity, low alkalinity, and low to middle organic pollution, Class II-III of water quality. Seasonality of algal community and water quality showed of organic and other contaminants pollution during winter rainy period as a result of grazing impact. Charophyte community is sharp limited in its development as a result of
periodical desiccation of the stream. We found unique property of Chara vulgaris to renewing after two years desiccation. We can recommend the Arbel Biblical stream for
monitoring of natural aquatic object in the Lower Galilee, and Chara vulgaris as climatic indicator of surviving under future climate change.

Springtail communities have been shown to be good indicators of environmental health, although it can occur that the influence of site is higher than that of vegetational types, pointing to the need for a comprehensive exploration of the regional pool before reaching conclusions based on species composition.

Mercury and heavy metal contents are monitored using lichens as a tool for evaluation of air pollution. Lichens allow the identification of zones with anthropic impact, pollution hotspots and natural sources of contamination like volcanic emissions. The concentration of mercury (Hg) semivolatiles and rare-earth elements (REEs) were measured in our case in fruticose lichen thalli and soils collected in an active volcanic area: the Copahue-Caviahue Volcanic Complex, in northern Patagonia, South America. The present research focus on Hg-release patterns and its association to elements such as sulphur (S) and bromine (Br). In order to discriminate the particulate from the gaseous forms the concentration ratios of elements to magnesium (Mg) were computed. The Hg vs. Br concentration linear regression, together with the Hg normalised concentration vs. volcano distance, suggest that Hg from volcanic origin may be oxidised changing to reactive forms in the ash plume. Total mercury concentration in fruticose lichens (0.207-0.331 μg g −1) in Copahue-Caviahue volcanic area were higher than those from several other volcanic areas in South America, USA and Italy (0.010-0.290 μg g-1). Nevertheless, the consequent deposition has not generated a net contamination in soils.