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Biodiversity in Karst Landscapes

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A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity Conservation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2022) | Viewed by 32393

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Dr. Vlatka Mičetić Stanković

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Zoological Department, Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: taxonomy, systematics and phylogeny of water beetles; ecology and phenology; spring ecosystems; karst freshwater habitats
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Mladen Kučinić

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: entomology; taxonomy; biodiversity; DNA barcoding; zoology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Karst is a set of morphological, hydrological and hydrogeological surface and subterranean features built of rocks that are soluble in water. Typical karst landform is a mosaic of environmental and climatic conditions, such as dry valleys, sinking streams and underground rivers, large spring caves, sinkholes and enclosed depressions. Outstanding biodiversity with endemic species characterizes karst areas in different parts of the world. It is the result of the local influences of climate, geographical isolation and habitat heterogeneity, leading to a high level of speciation and the presence of discontinuous populations of phylogenetically distinct origin. At the same time, these areas are vulnerable to direct or indirect human disturbances such as freshwater consumption, overpopulation, agricultural irrigation and climate change. Water pollution, especially underground, can be very deleterious and is often difficult to eliminate. Therefore, in these habitats, identifying biodiversity and understanding ecology, as well as proposing conservation measures and strategies, are particularly important.

This Special Issue will provide an opportunity to highlight new research on the biological value and importance of karst landscapes around the world. We invite manuscripts that focus on taxonomic, ecological, and conservation aspects with the aim to form a platform to advance our knowledge of these specific habitats.

Dr. Vlatka Mičetić Stanković
Prof. Dr. Mladen Kučinić
Guest Editors

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Keywords

anthropogenic disturbance
climate change
conservation
ecology
endemic species
phylogeny
speciation
taxonomy

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

2 pages, 179 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Biodiversity in Karst Landscapes: Introduction to the Special Issue

by Vlatka Mičetić Stanković

Diversity 2023, 15(3), 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030408 - 10 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1606

Abstract

Karst landscapes are a set of various features built of rocks that are soluble in water [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Karst Landscapes)

Research

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26 pages, 1855 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Karst Ecosystems of Middle Timan, Russia: Soils, Plant Communities, and Soil Oribatid Mites

by Elena N. Melekhina, Vladimir A. Kanev and Svetlana V. Deneva

Diversity 2022, 14(9), 718; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14090718 - 29 Aug 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2129

Abstract

Oribatid mites are distinguished by high taxonomic diversity and abundance in almost all natural zones; they are used as an indicator group of microarthropods in the study of natural landscapes and anthropogenically disturbed ecosystems. In the karst landscapes of the North, the oribatid mites are very poorly studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of soil types, plant communities, and oribatid mites in karst relief forms in the conditions of the northern taiga forests. The material was collected in July 2020 in the karst landscapes of Timan Ridge, found in the European northeast of Russia. The research sites were located in the profile of the karst crater and in the profile of the slope in the Ukhta River Valley. A sedge wetland community, and pine–bilberry–green-moss forest, located in the depression between glacial hills and uplands were also examined. A total of seven sites were examined. Geobotanical descriptions were made by standard methods, descriptions of the soil profile, and samples of the soil microfauna; 12 in each site were collected. A total of 51 oribatid mite species from 39 genera and 31 families were found. The highest taxonomic diversity of oribatids was noted in forest phytocenoses located in the upper part of the karst crater slope, the lower part of the karst crater slope, and on rock outcrops in the lower part of the slope in Ukhta river valley. Ordination of the oribatid mite community by NMDS method showed the association of sites S3, S4, and S5 located on the slope of the karst crater in one group, and sites S6 and S7 located on a slope in the Ukhta River Valley, as well as S2 (pine–bilberry–green-moss forest located in the depression between glacial hills and uplands), in another group. The swamp community was located separately from other communities. Species of oribatid mites, which created the specifics of each community, were noted. The specifics of the population of oribatid mites of karst landscapes were that along with the features of fauna, characteristic for zonal north-taiga forests (the predominance of polyzonal widespread species) were found the “conditionally southern” species, the main area of distribution of which is located in lower latitudes. The study provides the basis for future studies of poorly known oribatid mites of karst landscapes of Northern Europe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Karst Landscapes)

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13 pages, 3070 KiB

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Turnover of Plant Species on an Ecological Gradient in Karst Dolines Is Reflected in Plant Traits: Chorotypes, Life Forms, Plant Architecture and Strategies

by Aljaž Jakob, Mateja Breg Valjavec and Andraž Čarni

Diversity 2022, 14(8), 597; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14080597 - 27 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2482

Abstract

We analyzed plants and their traits in dolines, which are characteristic enclosed terrain depressions on carbonate (karst) plateaus. These landforms range from a few meters to over 100 m in diameter, their depth generally varying from a few meters to a few tens of meters. A pronounced ecological gradient can be found from the bottom to the top, starting from humid, cool and shaded bottoms to sunny, dry and warm slopes and tops. We sampled dolines of various depths and analyzed the distribution of plant species on the gradient and how this distribution is reflected in plant traits: chorotypes, life forms, plant architecture and strategies. We used the transect method and sampled the floristic composition from the doline bottom to the top. We collected information about plant traits from various literature sources. The results show life forms and plant architecture explain this gradient well and, to a lesser extent, also chorotypes, but functional strategies have a low explanatory power. Life forms and plant architecture are the result of adaptation of species to the environment, and chorotypes are defined as species with an overlapping geographical distribution pattern due to their distribution and environmental histories. Functional strategies, which have evolved to enable plants to succeed in various environments, unexpectedly have a low explanatory power. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Karst Landscapes)

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21 pages, 2470 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microcrustacean (Cladocera and Copepoda) Assemblages of a Tropical Karst Lake District

by Rocío Fernández, Javier Alcocer and Luis A. Oseguera

Diversity 2022, 14(7), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14070564 - 14 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2251

Abstract

The taxonomic richness, composition, abundance, and biomass of pelagic microcrustaceans (Cladocera and Copepoda) were determined in 17 lakes of the “Lagunas de Montebello” National Park, a karst lake district in Chiapas State, southeast Mexico. The selected aquatic bodies exemplify the lake diversity in the area, which displays an anthropic impact gradient from impacted/eutrophic lakes on the NW to non-impacted/oligotrophic lakes on the SE. Sampling was conducted in two contrasting climatic periods: warm-rainy and cold-dry seasons. There were 32 taxa, five calanoid copepods, 16 cyclopoid copepods, and 11 cladocerans. The highest taxonomic richness, abundance, and biomass were found in the impacted/eutrophic lakes and the lowest in the non-impacted/oligotrophic lakes. Nauplii and copepods were the most abundant, while the copepods provided the largest biomass. Small-sized individuals composed the most significant abundance and biomass in impacted/eutrophic lakes, while large-sized individuals in the non-impacted/oligotrophic lakes. Even though the studied lakes belong to the same lake district, they showed low taxonomic similarity. Not a single taxon was found in all lakes; the most distributed taxa (13–14 lakes) were Mastigodiaptomus nesus and Leptodiaptomus cuauhtemoci, while 15 taxa (47%) were found in only 1–3 lakes. This karst lake district showed a great regional microcrustacean taxonomic richness but a great singularity level in each lake. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Karst Landscapes)

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16 pages, 4430 KiB

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Population Genetic Structure of Endemic Fish Species Facilitating Their Survival in Changing Environments—A Case Study on the Genus Telestes in Croatia

by Ivana Buj, Zoran Marčić, Elena Flauder, Radek Šanda and Jasna Vukić

Diversity 2022, 14(7), 529; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14070529 - 30 Jun 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1704

Abstract

The genus Telestes primarily comprises freshwater fish distributed mostly in the Mediterranean area. Recent investigation of the evolutionary history of this genus revealed that it originated in southern Europe, where the most ancient Telestes species are still present. The isolation of rivers in the karstic region facilitated allopatric speciation, resulting in a high number of Telestes species and a great portion of endemic species in freshwater systems of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Most of the endemic Telestes species have very small distribution areas, inhabiting a single river or a few water bodies in a single karstic field, making them extremely vulnerable to anthropogenic changes. In order to contribute to practical conservation of the endemic Telestes species through the design of conservational measures that are likely to be the most effective in ensuring the future viability and undisturbed evolutionary course of those species, we have investigated their population genetic structure and estimated their viabilities. Population viability analyses were carried out based on the current state of populations and their habitats, as well as recognized threats. Several scenarios also included potential threats. Our results show that invasive species pose the biggest threat to the future survival of the endemic Telestes species. Contrary to previous opinions that a reduced genetic diversity is characteristic for small populations, high intraspecific genetic diversity was revealed inside most of the investigated species, which might enable most of the populations to cope with future changes and mitigate negative effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Karst Landscapes)

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18 pages, 2731 KiB

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Biodiversity and Litter Breakdown in a Karstic Freshwater System (Doberdò Lake, Northeast Italy) in Relation to Water Level Fluctuations and Environmental Features

by Marco Bertoli, Davide Lesa, Alessia Merson, Paolo Pastorino, Marino Prearo and Elisabetta Pizzul

Diversity 2022, 14(6), 460; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14060460 - 8 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2453

Abstract

The present study reports seasonal data about chemico-physical trends, macrobenthic invertebrates, and Phragmites australis decomposition rates within a karstic freshwater system in the western classic Karst. Results presented herein were compared with those obtained from the same system five years ago. Chemico-physical data showed higher temperatures and lower levels of pH and conductivity than in the past. The macrobenthic invertebrate community varied through the seasons and through the years, though they are dominated by few taxa, such as Asellus and Gammarus. These shredders were the most abundant functional feeding guild, playing a pivotal role in the decomposition of the vegetal organic matter. Decomposition rates k ranged between 0.009 and 0.016 days⁻¹ and varied seasonally. k values were different from those previously reported for the investigated system. Differences are mainly due to changes in water supply, depending on decreasing rainfall regimes and hydrometric levels of the Soča River, which showed lower levels than in the previous study. Changes in water supply altered the fluctuating pulse that is typical of ephemeral karstic lakes, changing the system dynamics. Potential effects of climate change on local scale are also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Karst Landscapes)

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10 pages, 1573 KiB

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Early Development of the Endemic Delminichthys krbavensis (Leuciscidae, Cypriniformes) from a Karstic Field in Croatia

by Zoran Marčić, Ana Jerković, Marko Ćaleta, Ivana Buj, Davor Zanella, Sven Horvatić and Perica Mustafić

Diversity 2022, 14(5), 393; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14050393 - 16 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2255

Abstract

This is the first report of the early development for the endemic Krbava minnow Delminichthys krbavensis from a karstic field in Croatia, and the first report of any species of the genus Delminichthys. The description is based on basic morphometric measures and meristic counts during a 48-day observation of embryos and larvae acquired from successful spawning and rearing in an aquarium. The mean total length of larvae at the time of hatching was 3.12 mm. Mouth opening and independent feeding and intestinal function were observed after day 11 post-hatching (PH) at which time the yolk sac was completely absorbed in all individuals. Flexion of the urostyle began after day 18 PH and was completed by day 23 PH. Pectoral fins developed on day 7 PH, pelvic fins begin to develop by day 44 PH and the formation of caudal, dorsal and anal fin was complete by day 48 PH, when individuals presented the full set of soft rays. Understanding its early development is particularly valuable in assessing the environmental impacts on this endangered species and is essential for its effective monitoring and conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Karst Landscapes)

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13 pages, 871 KiB

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Turnover Drives High Benthic Macroinvertebrates’ Beta Diversity in a Tropical Karstic Lake District

by Daniela Cortés-Guzmán and Javier Alcocer

Diversity 2022, 14(4), 259; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14040259 - 30 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2745

Abstract

Beta diversity is useful to explain community assembly across landscapes with spatial variation. Its turnover and nestedness components help explain how beta diversity is structured across environmental and spatial gradients. Assessing beta diversity in freshwater ecosystems is essential to conservation, as it reveals the mechanisms that maintain regional diversity. Nonetheless, so far, no studies have examined the beta diversity patterns of benthic macroinvertebrates in tropical lakes. We aimed to examine the beta diversity patterns and components of the deep benthic macroinvertebrate communities of tropical Lakes of Montebello, Mexico, along spatial and environmental gradients. We used presence/absence data of deep benthic macroinvertebrates from 13 lakes distributed along environmental and spatial gradients. We calculated beta diversity indices and correlated them to each lake’s environmental and spatial variables. The macroinvertebrate communities of the Lakes of Montebello showed high beta diversity driven by a turnover pattern that emphasises the importance of regional-scale conservation efforts. Short distances between lakes and high environmental heterogeneity promoted species turnover, resulting in a great singularity level among lakes. We did not find significant correlations between the beta diversity components and the environmental variables, suggesting a random distribution given by the species’ high dispersal capacity in a reduced spatial extent across the lake district. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Karst Landscapes)

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15 pages, 1050 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics and Drivers of Soil Organic Carbon Saturation Deficit in Karst Forests of China

by Limin Zhang, Yang Wang, Jin Chen, Ling Feng, Fangbing Li and Lifei Yu

Diversity 2022, 14(2), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14020062 - 18 Jan 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3446

Abstract

Karst forests have complex and unique carbon cycle characteristics. Soil organic carbon saturation deficit (CSD) is an important indicator of soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration potential; exploring its characteristics and driving factors is a priority theme in current research on the carbon cycles of terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, 171 topsoil samples from typical karst forests in southwest China were used as the study objects. A SOC maximum saturation capacity model was constructed using the boundary line method. The CSD is equal to the maximum saturated capacity of SOC minus the current SOC. We analyzed the CSD and its main driving factors in different regions and succession stages. The results showed that the fractions of carbon and SOC contents in the karst forests at different successional stages in descending order were as follows: climax stage > arbor stage > shrub stage > herb stage. The CSD was the highest at the herb stage in Maolan, Yuntai Mountain, and Dashahe at 83.04%, 89.99%, and 89.97%, respectively, followed by the shrub stage with 48.69%, 78.50%, and 84.95%, and the lowest at the arbor stage with 25.69%, 43.44%, and 60.49%. The main drivers of CSD in the karst forest of Maolan were litter carbon input, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total SOC, and were litter carbon input at Yuntai Mountain and litter carbon input and neutral phosphatase at Dashahe. The results indicate that the core driver of CSD in the karst forest is litter carbon input, and this can be adjusted in the future to regulate the carbon sequestration capacity of SOC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Karst Landscapes)

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18 pages, 4419 KiB

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It’s All about the Zone: Spider Assemblages in Different Ecological Zones of Levantine Caves

by Jordan P. Cuff, Shlomi Aharon, Igor Armiach Steinpress, Merav Seifan, Yael Lubin and Efrat Gavish-Regev

Diversity 2021, 13(11), 576; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13110576 - 10 Nov 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2414

Abstract

Caves possess a continuum of ecological zones that differ in their microhabitat conditions, resulting in a gradient of nutrients, climate, and illumination. These conditions engender relatively rapid speciation and diverse assemblages of highly specialised spider fauna. It is unclear, however, how zonation of these caves affects spider assemblage composition and structure. Surveys of 35 Levantine caves were conducted to compare the assemblages of spiders between their different ecological zones. The diverse spider assemblages of these caves differed between the entrance, twilight, and dark zones, with troglophiles and accidental species occupying the cave entrance, endemic troglobites occupying the dark zones, and hybrid assemblages existing in the twilight zones. The progression of assemblage composition and divergence throughout cave zones is suggestive of processes of ecological specialisation, speciation, and adaptation of cave-endemic troglobites in the deepest zones of caves, while cave entrance assemblages are composed of relatively common species that can also be found in epigean habitats. Moreover, the cave entrance zone assemblages in our study were similar in the different caves, while the cave dark zone assemblages were relatively distinct between caves. Cave entrance assemblages are a subset of the regional species pool filtered by the cave conditions, while dark zone assemblages are likely a result of adaptations leading to local speciation events. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Karst Landscapes)

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21 pages, 3429 KiB

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16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing Data of the Iron Quadrangle Ferruginous Caves (Brazil) Shows the Importance of Conserving This Singular and Threatened Geosystem

by Camila G. C. Lemes, Morghana M. Villa, Érica B. Felestrino, Luiza O. Perucci, Renata A. B. Assis, Isabella F. Cordeiro, Natasha P. Fonseca, Lara C. C. Guerra, Washington L. Caneschi, Lauro Â. G. Moraes, Flávio F. do Carmo, Luciana H. Y. Kamino, Pedro N. C. Vale, Suzana E. S. Guima, João C. Setubal, André A. R. Salgado and Leandro M. Moreira

Diversity 2021, 13(10), 494; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13100494 - 11 Oct 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3413

Abstract

The Iron Quadrangle (IQ) is one of the main iron ore producing regions of the world. The exploitation of its reserves jeopardizes the high biological endemism associated with this region. This work aimed to understand the diversity and bacterial potential associated with IQ caves. Floor and ceiling samples of seven ferruginous caves and one quartzite cave were collected, and their microbial relative abundance and diversity were established by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing data. The results showed that ferruginous caves present higher microbial abundance and greater microbial diversity compared to the quartzite cave. Many species belonging to genera found in these caves, such as Pseudonocardia and Streptacidiphilus, are known to produce biomolecules of biotechnological interest as macrolides and polyketides. Moreover, comparative analysis of microbial diversity and metabolic potential in a biofilm in pendant microfeature revealed that the microbiota associated with this structure is more similar to the floor rather than ceiling samples, with the presence of genera that may participate in the genesis of these cavities, for instance, Ferrovum, Geobacter, and Sideroxydans. These results provide the first glimpse of the microbial life in these environments and emphasize the need of conservation programs for these areas, which are under intense anthropogenic exploration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Karst Landscapes)

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Review

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19 pages, 2710 KiB

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Ubiquitous but Ignored? A Case of Water Beetle in Southeastern Europe

by Vlatka Mičetić Stanković, Branka Bruvo Mađarić and Mladen Kučinić

Diversity 2022, 14(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14010026 - 31 Dec 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2089

Abstract

Although freshwater habitats, especially springs, are widely recognized as top-priority habitats for monitoring and conservation procedures, their fauna, especially water beetles, are still poorly studied in the southeastern part of Europe. Thus, the dominant water beetle in these habitats, E. bosnica (Zaitzev, 1908) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Elmidae), has been completely ignored and misidentified. This study represents the first review of its taxonomy and its population and ecological traits. Both published and unpublished data are presented and discussed, as well as the results of field sampling in 46 springs and other waterbodies conducted in this region from 2004 to 2019. The identification characters of the male genitalia and the first DNA barcode of the species are presented. The results confirm the close phylogenetic relationship of E. bosnica with E. aenea (Müller, 1806) and E. rioloides (Kuwert, 1890). The species proved to be a useful environmental descriptor and can easily be used as a biological indicator due to its easy identification. The species shows remarkable sensitivity to environmental conditions and inhabits sites that are potentially under increased anthropogenic pressure and could disappear at an alarming rate. Thus, karstic habitats should be included in future conservation and monitoring procedures in this part of Europe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Karst Landscapes)

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