In the past springs were exploited only in terms of drinking
water. Anyhow, this special biotope connecting ground and surface
waters is species rich thanks to stable environmental conditions and
mosaic structure of microbiotopes. It started to draw attention of
scientists and since the 1990s geographically extended ecological
investigations of spring water diatoms started to appear. The new book
Species composition and distribution of diatom assemblages in spring
waters from various geological formations in Southern Poland written
by Agata Z. Wojtal is another valuable study of these unique biotopes.
The publication is providing information on ecology and distribution
of diatoms from 62 natural springs and 5 borehole-originated outflows
of various nature according to morphological spring type (helocrenes,
rheocrenes, limnocrenes), geological formations (Paleogene granites,
gneisses, Mesozoic sediments, Jurassic and Miocene sandstone and
gypsum deposits), hydrological conditions and land use (natural parks
versus agriculture and urban areas). Sampled were springs located in
southern Poland in the area covering ca 14,500 km2, namely Tatra Mts,
Beskid Sadecki, Roznowskie Foothills, Beskid Niski,
Krakowsko-Czestochowska Upland and Nidzianska Basin. In terms of
chemistry the types of springs include diluted, calcium-rich but
nutrient poor, nutrient-rich, saline, carbonated or sulfide-rich
water.
First part of the book keeps traditional structuring of scientific
papers (Abstract, Introduction, Study area, Methods, Results and
Discussion).
The main interest of the author is ecology of diatoms inhabiting
springs. All sampling sites are well documented by chemical analyses
of spring water, especially ionic composition. Performed were
statistical analyses (PCA, DCA, CCA, UPGMA) using 224 species and
varieties in order to reveal environmental patterns of diatom species
distributions and assemblages. For selected 45 species were estimated
environmental optima and tolerance ranges.
Next part brings information on 174 abundant and common diatom taxa
and 30 poorly known and rarely reported species, all presented with
the full name and authority and morphometric, ecological and
distribution data from this study. All selected species are
illustrated by more than 2000 micrographs (including over 1000 SEM
images) in the attachment. Like in other volumes of Bibliotheca
Diatomologica photo documentation takes most of the book (more than 60
% of pages).
The new genus Crenotia (with typus generis Achnanthidium thermale
Rabenhorst) and three new species (Eunotia chelmickii,
E. oligotraphenta and Staurophora lanceolata) are described and five
new combinations proposed.
It is laudable that the author provides all 204 selected taxa by
literature references, which clears us its taxonomic content. Anyhow,
comments only sporadically involve discussions to taxonomic
delimitation problems (as they are appointed to Craticula buderi /
C. halophila on or outside of this part to Achnanthidium minutissimum
/ A. microcephalum complex). Such comments, based on experiences of
authors from different regions would be very valuable contributions to
the problem of diatom taxa delimitation mentioned at the end of
Discussion.
Agata Wojtal elaborated great amount of diatom samples from all three
types of microbiotops (epilithon, epibryon and epipelon if
present). In each sample the author counted 300 up to 400
frustules. She worked so carefully that for each geographic unit she
gives exact total valve count. Altogether 520 diatom taxa were
identified. It is a pity that the book does not bring their complete
list (Cited only 224 species used for statistical analyses.). The
design of statistical analyses was well planned in order to obtain as
much data on distribution and ecology of diatoms as possible. The list
of used literature is also very praiseworthy.
The work of Agata Wojtal is an outstanding crenobiological study
bringing valuable information on ecology and distribution of diverse,
sensitive, and informative indicator organisms – diatoms and we highly
recommend to diatomists to have this book in their libraries.
Markéta Fránková, Petr Marvan
Algological Studies 145/146
