The effects of aperiodic desiccation on the diversity of benthic desmid assemblages in a lowland peat bog.
2011
Abstract
We investigated the drought-related response of the benthic desmid assemblages of the bog. The geometric morphometric methods were used to analyse the disparity, morphological turnover and surface-to-volume (S:V) ratios of Desmidiales.
The indicators based on the morphometric data were generally more sensitive than the species data. Therefore, we propose that the biovolume, S:V ratios or disparity measures of desmidiacean assemblages might be of benefit for future studies of peat bog microphytobenthos.
We conclude that the drying event of the bog did not irreversibly influence its valuable desmid assemblages.