Spatial heterogeneity and ecology of algal communities in an ephemeral sandstone stream in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic.

Abstract

Spatial patterns along a longitudinal stream transect and biodiversity of algae assemblages, and the effect of environmental factors on species composition were studied. Composition of algal assemblages were primarily influenced by the type of substratum and by the spatial distance from the stream origin.

Keywords

• benthic algae
• diatoms
• ephemeral
• longitudinal transect
• Mantel test
• ordination techniques
• sandstone
• spatial pattern
• stream
• substrate type