Outflows from lakes as ecotones-stable conditions maintain macroinvertebrates biodiversity

Outflows from the lakes are rarely considered as an ecotones. The main research direction on invertebrates of lake outflows most often are functional feeding groups, especially filter-feeders as a dominant group in that environment. Our goal was to describe the biodiversity of macroinvertebrates in lake-river ecotones in lowlands of Central Europe, found the environmental factors that shape the biodiversity of that environment and indicate directions for further biodiversity conservation. 40 outflows from lakes with different parameters were selected for the research. During the research, 57 taxa were found at the study sites, of which 32 taxa reached a frequency at least 10 %. The Multiple linear regression showed only one significant relationships between fluvial model and biodiversity. Of the components of this model, only depth of the outflow correlated significantly. There was observed significant differences in the ShannonWiener index, which was significantly higher in deeper outflows. Depth of the outflow indirectly affects the preservation of the biodiversity of the ecotone, which results from the greater stability of the water conditions in this place. It should be pay special attention to the water conditions of the catchments in order to minimize water level fluctuations and their negative effect on biodiversity in lake-river ecotones.

Automated summary

The study aimed to describe the biodiversity of macroinvertebrates in the lake-river ecotones in Central Europe lowlands, identify the environmental factors shaping the biodiversity of this environment, and suggest directions for biodiversity conservation. The research found 57 taxa at the study sites, with 32 taxa having a frequency of at least 10%. The only significant relationship between fluvial model and biodiversity was the depth of the outflow, with deeper outflows having higher Shannon-Wiener index. The depth of the outflow indirectly influenced the preservation of the ecotone's biodiversity through greater water stability.