scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question
Journal ArticleDOI

Role of macrophyte communities as bioindicators of water quality: Application on the Tiber River basin (Italy)

30 Sep 2010-Plant Biosystems (TF)-Vol. 144, Iss: 3, pp 528-536
TL;DR: In this paper, the compatibility curves of phytocoenoses to water chemico-physical gradients show a correlation between the distribution pattern of the vegetation types and the water's chemico physical features, such as different levels of water pollution.
Abstract: The aquatic plant communities of the Tiber River basin have been examined to evaluate their role as bioindicators of the water quality of the Italian peninsular rivers. The compatibility curves of phytocoenoses to water chemico‐physical gradients show a correlation between the distribution pattern of the vegetation types and the water’s chemico‐physical features, such as different levels of water pollution. In particular, Fontinaletum antipyreticae, Ranunculo‐Sietum, Elodeo‐Potametum crispi and Nasturtietum officinalis develop in meso‐eutrophic and fairly clean water, Potamogeton nodosus community and Ceratophylletum demersi in eutrophic water of medium quality, while Myriophylletum spicati and especially Potametum pectinati and algal communities with Entheromorpha flexuosa are found in hypertrophic water of poor quality. These phytocoenoses can be utilised as valid bioindicators of water quality. On the contrary, Callitrichetum stagnalis, Myriophylletum verticillati, Najadetum marinae and algal ...
Citations
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reviewed the literature on the effects of land use changes on mediterranean river ecosystems (med-rivers) to provide a foundation and directions for future research on catchment management during times of rapid human population growth and climate change.
Abstract: We reviewed the literature on the effects of land use changes on mediterranean river ecosystems (med-rivers) to provide a foundation and directions for future research on catchment management during times of rapid human population growth and climate change. Seasonal human demand for water in mediterranean climate regions (med-regions) is high, leading to intense competition for water with riverine communities often containing many endemic species. The responses of river communities to human alterations of land use, vegetation, hydrological, and hydrochemical conditions are similar in mediterranean and other climatic regions. High variation in hydrological regimes in med-regions, however, tends to exacerbate the magnitude of these responses. For example, land use changes promote longer dry season flows, concentrating contaminants, allowing the accumulation of detritus, algae, and plants, and fostering higher temperatures and lower dissolved oxygen levels, all of which may extirpate sensitive native species. Exotic species often thrive in med-rivers altered by human activity, further homogenizing river communities worldwide. We recommend that future research rigorously evaluate the effects of management and restoration practices on river ecosystems, delineate the cause–effect pathways leading from human perturbations to stream biological communities, and incorporate analyses of the effects of scale, land use heterogeneity, and high temporal hydrological variability on stream communities.

158 citations


Cites background from "Role of macrophyte communities as b..."

  • ..., 2008), they are affected by human alterations to landscapes and the water cycle, often showing clear differences in species composition, diversity, and cover between disturbed and undisturbed sites (Abou-Hamdan et al., 2005; Bernez & Ferreira, 2007; Ceschin et al., 2010; Kargioglu et al., 2012)....

    [...]

  • ...…2008), they are affected by human alterations to landscapes and the water cycle, often showing clear differences in species composition, diversity, and cover between disturbed and undisturbed sites (Abou-Hamdan et al., 2005; Bernez & Ferreira, 2007; Ceschin et al., 2010; Kargioglu et al., 2012)....

    [...]

  • ...(mg m-2) Source Mountain stream 6–11 Rolland et al. (1997) Travertine streams 50–300 Rundio (2009) Calcareous, non-travertine streams 100–500 Rundio (2009) Middle mountain stream, low nutrient,shaded 5 Tornés & Sabater (2010) Middle mountain stream, low nutrient, unshaded 4–7 Tornés & Sabater (2010) Middle mountain stream, unfertilized, shaded 8–90 Sabater et al. (2011) Middle mountain stream, fertilized, shaded 10–120 Sabater et al. (2011) Undeveloped and rural streams 2–30 Busse et al. (2006) Suburban streams 50–320 Busse et al. (2006) Large river, agricultural 0.2–1,425 Urrea-Clos (2010) Large river, agricultural 14–780 Sabater et al. (2009) Agricultural streams 60–500 Hornberger et al. (1977) Undeveloped, low-order streams 4–58 Klose et al. (2012) River, residential and agricultural 90–417 Klose et al. (2012) River, mixed use, below WWTP 226–1,037 Klose et al. (2012) Temporary streams 4–112 Alvarez & Pardo (2007a, b) Streams draining forested, agricultural, and urban basins 2–79 Von Schiller et al. (2008) Because aquatic macrophytes are sensitive to disturbance regimes, substrata characteristics, and light, nutrient, and contaminant levels (Simpson, 2006; Going et al., 2008), they are affected by human alterations to landscapes and the water cycle, often showing clear differences in species composition, diversity, and cover between disturbed and undisturbed sites (Abou-Hamdan et al., 2005; Bernez & Ferreira, 2007; Ceschin et al., 2010; Kargioglu et al., 2012)....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the relationship between plant sociology and ecology and highlight the potential of plant sociology for ecological modelling and environmental assessment, and present a research project on the ecoregions of Italy, which is based on the National Map of Vegetation Series and on bioclimatic, biogeographical, lithological and geomorphological data.
Abstract: In this article, we discuss the relationships between plant sociology and ecology and highlight the potential of plant sociology for ecological modelling and environmental assessment. The classification criteria for plant communities (characteristic combination of species, specific relationships with the physical environment, particular chorological and dynamical features) assign strong indicator value to phytosociological units. Moreover, the modern approach of plant sociology, which spans from individual communities to vegetation series and geosigmeta, offers the opportunity to interact under a landscape ecological perspective. Within this general context, we particularly refer to the field of ecological land classification and present a research project on the ecoregions of Italy, which is based on the National Map of Vegetation Series and on bioclimatic, biogeographical, lithological, and geomorphological data.

77 citations


Cites background from "Role of macrophyte communities as b..."

  • ...…that the basic vegetation units of plant sociology represent not only classification categories but also true ecological types with strong indicator value and significant potential for environmental modelling (Pignatti et al. 1996; Blasi et al. 2003; Biondi et al. 2004; Ceschin et al. 2010)....

    [...]

  • ...If we consider this and the chorological and dynamical elements, which contribute to the diagnosis of plant communities, it becomes rather evident that the basic vegetation units of plant sociology represent not only classification categories but also true ecological types with strong indicator value and significant potential for environmental modelling (Pignatti et al. 1996; Blasi et al. 2003; Biondi et al. 2004; Ceschin et al. 2010)....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a mapping methodology is presented that allows the practical implementation of synphytosociological and geosynphytophysociological surveys of the Italian Adriatic coast.
Abstract: A mapping methodology is presented here that allows the practical implementation of synphytosociological and geosynphytosociological surveys. The proposed methodology consists in carrying out synreleves from vegetation maps produced through the use of geographic information system (GIS). Such mapping has the great advantage of allowing the overlaying of the study area map with many thematic maps that are particularly useful in the definition of the areas of potential vegetation. In the present case, the use of solar radiation maps is proposed, as these are more representative than aspect maps (exposure) of the actual conditions of the mapped areas. Indeed, the main ecological factors that delimit the ecological niche of plant communities, the vegetation series and the geosigmeta are defined qualitatively and quantitatively. The methodology is here applied to an area of the Italian Adriatic coast that has a great diversity of environmental conditions. The conclusions confirm that the proposed meth...

39 citations


Cites background from "Role of macrophyte communities as b..."

  • ...…basis of the edaphic factors of soil quality and geomorphological conditions (Biondi & Calandra 1998; Sburlino et al. 1999; Venanzoni & Kwiatkowski 1995; Biondi 2007; Agnelli et al. 2008; Catorci & Gatti 2010; Cutini et al. 2010; Surina & Surina 2010; Ceschin et al. 2010; Biondi et al. in press)....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The main critical issues emerged from plant-based ecotoxicological tests were the narrow range of species and endpoints considered, the lack of environmental relevance, the excessively short exposure times, and the culture media potentially reacting with toxicants.
Abstract: This paper reviews the current state-of-the-art, limitations, critical issues, and new directions in freshwater plant ecotoxicology. We selected peer-reviewed studies using relevant databases and for each (1) publication year, (2) test plant species, (3) reference plant group (microalgae, macroalgae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, flowering plants), (4) toxicant tested (heavy metal, pharmaceutical product, hydrocarbon, pesticide, surfactant, plastic), (5) experiment site (laboratory, field), and (6) toxicant exposure duration. Although aquatic plant organisms play a key role in the functioning of freshwater ecosystems, mainly linked to their primary productivity, their use as biological models in ecotoxicological tests was limited if compared to animals. Also, toxicant effects on freshwater plants were scarcely investigated and limited to studies on microalgae (80%), or only to a certain number of recurrent species (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Chlorella vulgaris, Lemna minor, Myriophyllum spicatum). The most widely tested toxicants on plants were heavy metals (74%), followed by pharmaceutical products and hydrocarbons (7%), while the most commonly utilized endpoints in tests were plant growth inhibition, variations in dry or fresh weight, morpho-structural alterations, chlorosis, and/or necrosis. The main critical issues emerged from plant-based ecotoxicological tests were the narrow range of species and endpoints considered, the lack of environmental relevance, the excessively short exposure times, and the culture media potentially reacting with toxicants. Proposals to overcome these issues are discussed.

36 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings of the present survey call for an urgent elaboration of large-scale strategies to ensure the survival of aquatic plants, stressing on multiple functions played by aquatic plants in supporting national economy and human well-being.
Abstract: Italy is recognized as one of the prominent hot spot areas for plant diversity at regional and global scale, hosting a rich range of ecosystems and habitat types. This is especially true considering aquatic habitats, which represent a major portion of the total water surfaces in the Mediterranean region. Nevertheless, only a scant attention was paid to clarify the species richness of aquatic plant and its contribution to the total diversity at the country scale, despite such plants are seriously threatened at multiple scales. This paper provided the first comprehensive inventory of aquatic plants at the whole country scale, collecting data on species' distribution, trends, and explanatory determinants of species richness. We confirmed the key contribution of Italy to the regional and global aquatic plant diversity with a total of 279 species recorded since 2005, equal to the 88.5%, 55.9% and ∼10% of the richness estimated at European/Mediterranean, Palearctic and global scale, respectively. Ten species are considered extinct in the wild [among which Aldrovanda vesiculosa L., Caldesia parnassifolia (Bassi ex L.) Parl., Helosciadium repens (Jacq.) W.J.D. Koch, and Pilularia globulifera L.], four were doubt [among which Luronium natans (L.) Raf., Utricularia intermedia Hayne, and U. ochroleuca R.W. Hartman.], and eight were erroneously reported in the past, among which Isoetes lacustris L., Myosotis rehsteineri Wartm., and Ranunculus aquatilis L. Only 18 species - mainly helophytes (14) - were present in all the 20 Italian regions, whereas hydrophytes showed most scanty regional frequencies. Temperature, latitude, area and water resources availability are the main drivers of aquatic plant spatial arrangement and diversity. Furthermore, the number of inhabitants per km2 well described the number of "lost species" since 2000. The findings of the present survey call for an urgent elaboration of large-scale strategies to ensure the survival of aquatic plants, stressing on multiple functions played by aquatic plants in supporting national economy and human well-being. In this context, Italy can play a fundamental role guaranteeing temporary refuge for projected or expected species migrations along latitude and longitude gradients. Besides, in hyper-exploited landscapes man-made water bodies can further enhance the achievement of minimum conservation targets.

35 citations


Cites background from "Role of macrophyte communities as b..."

  • ...It has resulted into a renewed attention for inland aquatic habitats in general, and it has favored the integration of the available aquatic plant knowledge (Testi et al., 2009; Ceschin et al., 2010; Azzella et al., 2013, 2014; Villa et al., 2015; Abati et al., 2016; Bolpagni et al., 2016)....

    [...]

References
More filters
Book
01 Aug 1996
TL;DR: A separation theorem for convex fuzzy sets is proved without requiring that the fuzzy sets be disjoint.
Abstract: A fuzzy set is a class of objects with a continuum of grades of membership. Such a set is characterized by a membership (characteristic) function which assigns to each object a grade of membership ranging between zero and one. The notions of inclusion, union, intersection, complement, relation, convexity, etc., are extended to such sets, and various properties of these notions in the context of fuzzy sets are established. In particular, a separation theorem for convex fuzzy sets is proved without requiring that the fuzzy sets be disjoint.

52,705 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The theory of possibility described in this paper is related to the theory of fuzzy sets by defining the concept of a possibility distribution as a fuzzy restriction which acts as an elastic constraint on the values that may be assigned to a variable.

8,918 citations

Book
01 Dec 1973

5,169 citations

Book
01 Nov 2017

1,943 citations

Journal ArticleDOI

1,835 citations


"Role of macrophyte communities as b..." refers methods in this paper

  • ...At each sampling station, a quali-quantitative inventory of macrophyte species was taken according to the phytosociological method proposed by the Zurigo-Montpellier school (Braun-Blanquet 1964)....

    [...]