Informace o publikaci
Grazing and mowing shape aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages of small artificial ponds in a eutrophic landscape
| Autoři | |
|---|---|
| Rok publikování | 2026 |
| Druh | Recenzovaný odborný článek |
| Časopis / Zdroj | Ecological Engineering |
| Fakulta / Pracoviště MU | |
| Citace | |
| www | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925857426001564 |
| Doi | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.108046 |
| Klíčová slova | constructed ponds; wetland restoration; wetland management; littoral structure; community composition; species richness; aquatic invertebrates |
| Přiložené soubory | |
| Popis | Artificial pond construction is widely used in wetland restoration, yet biodiversity outcomes depend strongly on design and subsequent management. We tested how different regimes (grazing, mowing, and no management) influence habitat structure, water conditions, and aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity in newly excavated experimental ponds within a eutrophic wetland in South Moravia (Czechia). Across four focal groups (Mollusca, Odonata, Coleoptera, Heteroptera), we observed rapid colonisation of the newly built ponds. Species richness and densities rose during early development, dropped after drying events, and then partially recovered, indicating repeated “resetting” of communities under fluctuating hydrology. Periodic drying also likely hindered the establishment of fish populations. The management regime significantly affected species composition: both grazed and mowed ponds had higher macroinvertebrate densities than the controls, but did not differ significantly in terms of total species richness. The grazed ponds were characterised by high sunlight exposure, reduced reed dominance, and trampling-generated high littoral heterogeneity. These ponds were inhabited by taxa adapted to shallow and warm waterbodies, muddy substrate, semiaquatic microhabitats, or newly emerged and disturbed habitats. The mowed ponds promoted dense submergent vegetation, supporting Odonata and other taxa requiring aquatic vegetation. The control ponds were heavily shaded by tall reeds and were inhabited by species tolerant of low light and oxygen levels, as well as an organic-rich substrate. At the wetland scale, multiple small ponds increased overall diversity through high between-pond heterogeneity. Our results highlight that pond construction alone is insufficient for wetland restoration: long-term follow-up management regimes, especially extensive grazing, can rapidly generate structural heterogeneity and sustain diverse aquatic invertebrate assemblages in eutrophic wetlands. |