On the edge of autumn, the Jubilee XXV Congress of Polish Hydrobiologists took place in Łódź, where a lecture was given by the leader of the WP1 team, Karolina Bącela-Spychalska, PhD, Prof. UŁ.
Place: XXV Jubilee Meeting of Polish Hydrobiologists, 7-9.09.2022, Łódź (lecture)
Team: Karolina Bącela-Spychalska, PhD, Prof. UŁ (presenter) / Bącela-Spychalska K, Baranowska M, Krawczyk D, Janik-Superson K, Królikowska K, Seweryn M, Lach J, Tończyk G, Strapagiel D, Brodecki J, Taugbøl A.
Title: How does urbanisation affect pond biodiversity in the context of a geographical gradient?
Abstract
Urbanisation is a process that causes loss of natural habitats and leads to drastic changes in ecosystems. Urbanisation leads to a 'homogenisation of biota' and opens the way for many invasive species. Ponds, which are as common in urban as in non-urban landscapes and are important habitats for many rare and endangered species, are specific centres of diversity, especially in urban agglomerations. Moreover, these reservoirs are not included in WFD monitoring. The aim of this study is to assess the diversity of bacteria, fungi and invertebrate animals of ponds in relation to the degree of urbanisation in the context of a geographical gradient extending from southern Poland to central Norway, based on environmental DNA. For this purpose, water samples were collected in five geographical areas and filtered in situ from six ponds located in the city and six outside the city. For each site, water was characterised and collected for chemical analyses of the water (chlorophyll content, N, P, TOC, pH, conductivity), and microplastic content. Environmental DNA was isolated from filters with different pore sizes: 2.0, 0.45 and 0.22 μm. DNA libraries were prepared using PCR-based amplification of different markers depending on the taxon (16S rRNA for bacteria, LSU rRNA for fungi, COI for invertebrates). Sequencing was performed on an Illumina MiSeq platform (2 x 250 bp). Comparisons of diversity at alpha and beta levels were made, taking into account urban and non-urban environments and geographic range. Taxa specific to the two areas were determined.
