An Ecosystem Valuation Method for Small Water Bodies

Abstract The paper discusses the development of a valuation method for small water bodies in a landscape park of agricultural character, since for such an area small water bodies are of considerable importance, primarily hydrological and natural. Analyses were conducted in the Dezydery Chlapowski Landscape Park. The object of the study comprised 13 water bodies differing in terms of landscape, morphological parameters (depth, shape, surface area, shoreline development) as well as aquatic and marsh vegetation. Some of these water bodies are typical in-field hollows, some are located in built-up areas, while two are located in a forest complex. The aim of the presented investigations was to develop a valuation method for small water bodies based on inventoried aquatic and marsh vegetation and including modifications of nature analysis methods such as the phytosociological method by Braun-Blanquet and ecological indexes according to Zarzycki. Using environmental variables statistical models were developed, describing dependencies between individual species and analysed variables. Investigations were conducted in the years 2008-2009, in which phytosociological relevés were prepared during the vegetation season. Analyses concerned vegetation of the littoral zone and the limnetic (open water) zone. The ecological status of water bodies was calculated on the basis of data concerning aquatic and marsh vegetation and the measured surface area of a given water body. Results indicate the advisability of having small water bodies covered with legal protection measures. In turn, the water bodies which underwent severe degradation should be remediated using available measures (dredging, creation of biogeochemical barriers).

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Monitoring Small Water Bodies Using High Spatial and Temporal Resolution Analysis Ready Datasets

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13245176 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (24) ◽

pp. 5176

Author(s):

Vinicius Perin ◽

Samapriya Roy ◽

Joe Kington ◽

Thomas Harris ◽

Mirela G. Tulbure ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Surface Area ◽

Water Bodies ◽

Validation Dataset ◽

Surface Hydrology ◽

Small Water ◽

Resolution Analysis ◽

Freshwater Management ◽

Area Classification ◽

Small Water Bodies

Basemap and Planet Fusion—derived from PlanetScope imagery—represent the next generation of analysis ready datasets that minimize the effects of the presence of clouds. These datasets have high spatial (3 m) and temporal (daily) resolution, which provides an unprecedented opportunity to improve the monitoring of on-farm reservoirs (OFRs)—small water bodies that store freshwater and play important role in surface hydrology and global irrigation activities. In this study, we assessed the usefulness of both datasets to monitor sub-weekly surface area changes of 340 OFRs in eastern Arkansas, USA, and we evaluated the datasets main differences when used to monitor OFRs. When comparing the OFRs surface area derived from Basemap and Planet Fusion to an independent validation dataset, both datasets had high agreement (r2 ≥ 0.87), and small uncertainties, with a mean absolute percent error (MAPE) between 7.05% and 10.08%. Pairwise surface area comparisons between the two datasets and the PlanetScope imagery showed that 61% of the OFRs had r2 ≥ 0.55, and 70% of the OFRs had MAPE <5%. In general, both datasets can be employed to monitor OFRs sub-weekly surface area changes, and Basemap had higher surface area variability and was more susceptible to the presence of cloud shadows and haze when compared to Planet Fusion, which had a smoother time series with less variability and fewer abrupt changes throughout the year. The uncertainties in surface area classification decreased as the OFRs increased in size. In addition, the surface area time series can have high variability, depending on the OFR environmental conditions (e.g., presence of vegetation inside the OFR). Our findings suggest that both datasets can be used to monitor OFRs sub-weekly, seasonal, and inter-annual surface area changes; therefore, these datasets can help improve freshwater management by allowing better assessment and management of the OFRs.

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Biodiversity of periphytic cyanobacteria and algae assemblages in polar region: a case study of the vicinity of Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station (King George Island, Antarctica)

Biodiversity and Conservation ◽

10.1007/s10531-021-02219-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Elżbieta Zębek ◽

Agnieszka Napiórkowska-Krzebietke ◽

Aleksander Świątecki ◽

Dorota Górniak

Keyword(s):

Water Temperature ◽

Dominant Species ◽

Microbial Mats ◽

Legal Protection ◽

Water Bodies ◽

King George Island ◽

Small Water ◽

Prasiola Crispa ◽

Cyanobacteria And Algae ◽

Small Water Bodies

AbstractThis study was carried out on periphytic cyanobacteria and algae assemblages of microbial mats in streams and small water bodies during the Antarctic summer of 2019 in the vicinity of Ecology Glacier (King George Island, Antarctica). The significantly diversified assemblages between the microbial mats of small water bodies and streams were observed. The higher biomass and proportion of periphytic cyanobacteria with Planktothix agardhii as dominant species were found in the streams at lower mean water temperature and higher nutrient content while diatoms generally dominated in the small water bodies (primarily Fragilaria capucina). Chlorophyta also reached a significant proportion in the total biomass of periphyton with dominant species of Prasiola crispa and Keratococcus mucicola. The growth of periphytic cyanobacteria and algae was determined mainly by type of substrate, water temperature and nutrient concentrations. The results also suggest the phenomenon of nutrient uptake by these assemblages from the waters, confirmed by the negative correlations between some species and nutrients (TN, TP, N-NH4, P-PO4). A large share of commonly occurring periphytic species and limitation of typically polar ones, suggest progressive changes in the eutrophication of Antarctic waters caused by the global climate change and increased pollution in the environment. Therefore, these areas should be subject to a special legal protection, preceded by detailed research of these ecosystems.

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Influence of land development on the ecological status of small water bodies

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies ◽

10.1515/ohs-2020-0030 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (4) ◽

pp. 345-353

Author(s):

Anna Dudzińska ◽

Barbara Szpakowska ◽

Maria Pajchrowska

Keyword(s):

Arable Land ◽

Ecological Status ◽

Land Development ◽

Water Bodies ◽

Urban Landscapes ◽

Species Trees ◽

Small Water ◽

Q Index ◽

The Impact ◽

Small Water Bodies

AbstractSmall water bodies play a specific role in the landscape, as they increase the mosaic pattern of a given area, retain water and affect hydrological regime in adjacent soils. These water bodies are the most important in landscapes that have been largely transformed by man, such as agricultural and urban landscapes. The author of this study assessed the ecological status of small water bodies using the Q index and determined the impact of the development of adjacent areas on their ecological status. The analysis of the Q index referring to water bodies showed that its values changed considerably not only during the whole study period but also during one year (from 1.74 to 4.28). The land use analysis in the designated buffer zones stretching within 500 m and 1000 m from the water bodies showed that arable land occupied the largest area. This fact determines the ecological status of these water bodies. Ecotones that develop around ponds can function as biogeochemical barriers reducing pollution in the area. A total of 116 species of vascular plants were identified in the water bodies under study. Herbaceous plants constituted the largest group – 87 species. Trees and shrubs were represented by 16 species and macrophytes by 16 taxa.

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Using the novel priority index in prioritizing the selection of inland water bodies for site-based fish species conservation

10.1101/2020.11.12.380618 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Anthony Basooma ◽

Herbert Nakiyende ◽

Mark Olokotum ◽

Winnie Nkalubo ◽

Laban Musinguzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Surface Area ◽

Fish Species ◽

Water Bodies ◽

Small Lakes ◽

Large Lakes ◽

Priority Index ◽

Small Water ◽

Selection Of ◽

Small Water Bodies

AbstractFreshwater ecosystems occupy <1% of the Earth’s total surface area but provide an array of ecosystem services. However, these ecosystems are threatened by multiple stressors, including overexploitation, infrastructure developments, habitat alteration, and alien species introductions. The magnitude of these threats varies in different water bodies, requiring site-based conservation actions. In this paper, we aimed at developing a priority index (CPIw) that can be used to inform conservation managers in prioritizing the selection of a waterbody for site-based fish conservation purposes. We used data on distribution, diversity, and conservation status of fishes of Uganda, which were retrieved from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and International Union Conservation for Nature (IUCN) databases. In the index, we incorporated the species richness, surface area of a waterbody, species rarity, and species IUCN status. A total of 288 fish species were recorded in 81 waterbodies (7 large lakes, 37 small lakes, and 37 rivers). Of these species, 110 were only found in large lakes, followed by rivers (19) and small lakes (6). Despite the higher species richness in large lakes relative to small lakes, the latter recorded significantly higher CPIw compared with the former (t = −2.8, df = 30, p-value = 0.008, d=0.7). This observation is consistent with the expectation, given the low ecological substitutability for the species and higher levels of exposure to human-induced threats in small water bodies compared with large systems. Therefore, we suggest that in situations where resources are limiting, small water bodies need to be given much attention, although we do not suggest ignoring water bodies with low CPIw values.

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