Exploring biodiversity in riparian corridors of a Mediterranean island: Plant communities and environmental parameters in Cyprus rivers

Abstract

Riparian corridors are among the most sensitive ecosystems in the Mediterranean as they are significantly altered by human interventions. In this study, we explored the composition patterns of the aquatic vegetation in 17 rivers of Cyprus. Hierarchical clustering and detrended correspondence analysis were conducted in order to distinguish plant community types among the river sites. The permanent flow sites (R-M4) were divided into three types and characterized mostly by the presence of Brachythecium rivulare, Nasturtium officinale, Veronica anagallis-aquatica and Lemanea sp. The temporary flow sites (R-M5) presented higher heterogeneity and species richness. In temporary rivers, three community types were also identified. Both diversity indices and compositional variation differed among the community types. Canonical correspondence analysis was performed between the aquatic vegetation patterns and the environmental attributes. The results revealed that human influence is the most important descriptor of the aquatic vegetation in both permanent and intermittent rivers. Activities that are connected with disturbance of the water flow (water abstraction, dam influence and stream hydrology) appeared to play a key role in determining the aquatic plant communities. Overall, the results of this study can provide useful information towards the development of an effective management plan for the river basins of Cyprus.

Keywords:

• Aquatic vegetation
• human pressures
• intermittent and permanent rivers
• Mediterranean rivers
• multivariate analysis
• water quality

Acknowledgements

We greatly appreciate the personnel of WDD for their valuable help, data and field assistance during the project. We also wish to thank the MEDGIG colleagues for the fruitful collaboration during the intercalibration exercise and scientific support. Finally, we are grateful to the Editor and three anonymous reviewers for the careful revision and valuable critical comments on the manuscript.

Supplemental data

The underlying research materials for this article can be accessed at the http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2014.941032

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by grants from Water Development Department of the Republic of Cyprus (contract TAY/2009).