Assessing Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Relations to Environmental Variables and Revitalisation Works

Abstract

Abstract Macroinvertebrates of two ex-manor ponds located in Chroscina, Opole Region (Poland) were studied from 2015 to 2018 to investigate their community composition and diversity and evaluate the heterogeneity of communities on spatial and temporal scale referring to environmental variables and revitalisation work. A total of 32 taxa were recorded (at the family level, except Oligochaeta), 13 of which were Ephemeroptera, Odonata and Trichoptera, recognised as sensitive groups in lentic ecosystems. Macroinvertebrate richness and diversity varied considerably, especially in spring and summer. It was found that habitat heterogeneity influenced benthic invertebrates more than basic water parameters. However, the environmental variables together accounted for only 38 % of the observed variations. Thus, other factors, such as fish predation, may have played a leading role in community shaping. The distinct differences between pond communities, four years after the revitalisation works, resulted more from different habitat features than from the previous sediment removal.