Temporal dynamics of diatoms in the Mlava River

Abstract

Temporal analysis of epilithic diatom community was studied within four seasons per year at five sampling sites in the Mlava River. A trout fish farm was built in the upper part of the river (between the first (ML1) and the second sampling site (ML2)). The highest diversity was noticed in spring (159 diatom taxa), while the lowest in the period of autumn (89). A total number of taxa that were dominant (relative abundance greater than 5% at least at one sampling site) during four seasons was 13. Conspicuous temporal dynamics was shown using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Large number of taxa was identified in more than two seasons; some were, however, specific to only one season. Many of them were found only in the winter, while a slightly smaller number of taxa were characteristic only for spring or summer.