Occurrence and ecology of freshwater shrimp (Gammarus fossarum) in springs of Lusatian Break

Diego Sebastian Serrano Suarez

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This research studied water springs in the Czech-German border to understand patterns of water quality and the distribution of small amphipods Gammarus fossarum. The rocks along the geological fault offer a diverse set of springs in this humid region, and G. fossarum is the most abundant aquatic invertebrate found among the analyzed springs. This widespread shrimp dwells in 27 of 40 springs and prefers aquatic habitats with at least 4.5mg/L of dissolved oxygen and 5.5 pH units for this region. Its adaptability was evaluated with several factors of influence related with their population number. The groups analyzed were dominant geology, plants, spring type, human influence, land cover, toxic metals in sediment, and water quality. For each group, some categories established its preference of habitat. It was found, that very strongly polluted water quality (Class V, according to Czech legislation) limits their distribution, G. fossarum prefers Class III and II. The most thriving populations are usually in waters with high dissolved oxygen, neutral pH and low toxic metals. They adapt to any type of geology across the fault. Neither spring type, nor dominant forest or human influence had a clear trend on their numbers, however, springs with higher toxic metals concentration in sediment (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn) showed relation with less abundance of shrimps. It was confirmed that artificial bottom substrate in a spring prevents Gammarus presence and reduces general benthic diversity. In the time being, it is crucial to detect the main factors affecting presence and abundance of this species because it can help to assess the impact of land cover changes through time.

Keywords

water spring, Gammarus fossarum distribution, freshwater shrimp, aquatic ecology, habitat selection, Lusatian fault, water quality

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 17. 4. 2018

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: prof. RNDr. Dana Komínková, Ph.D.
• Reader: Jana Nábělková, Ing., externi

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Environmental Sciences

Master programme / field:
Engineering Ecology / Nature Conservation