Habitat conditions of nymphaeid associations in Poland

Abstract

A comparative analysis of the habitats of seven nymphaeid associations: Potamogetonetum natantis, Polygonetum natantis, Nuphar-Nymphaeetum albae, Nymphaeetum candidae, Nupharetum pumilae, Trapetum natantis and Nymphoidetum peltatae, was made within Poland. On the basis of water and substrate properties in the phytocoenoses analysed, it was demonstrated that most nymphaeid associations in Poland are distinctly associated with specific habitat conditions. Trapetum natantis occurs in neutral waters, poor in NH₄ ⁺, but markedly rich in dissolved organic matter, K⁺, PO₄ ³⁻, total Fe and Ca²⁺. It develops best on slightly acidic mineral substrates poor in Ca²⁺ and Na⁺, but markedly rich in PO₄ ³⁻ and NO₃. Nymphoidetum peltatae occurs in alkaline waters with high concentrations of Na⁺, C I⁻ and NO₃ ⁻ and with relatively high concentrations of K⁺ and PO₄ ³⁻. Its substrates are mineral, poor in SO₄ ²⁻ and total N and rich in NO₃ ⁻, PO₄ ³⁻ and K⁺. Nupharetum pumilae develops in waters extremely poor in SO₄ ²⁻, Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca²⁺, but rich in NO₃ ⁻ and dissolved organic matter. It mainly occurs on organic substrates poor in Ca²⁺ and Na⁺. Nymphaeetum candidae and Potamogetonetum natantis are mainly found in mesotrophic waters. Polygonetum natantis mainly inhabits mineral substrates poor in NO₃ ⁻, Na⁺ and dissolved SiO₂. Nupharo-Nymphaeetum albae occurs in a wide range of most types of habitat.