SEASONAL PREFERENCES OF MIKROHABITATS OF SELECTED ORDERS OF MACROZOOBENTOS IN OSTRAVICE RIVER

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the seasonal habitats preference of selected macrozoobenthos (Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera and Plecoptera) in the Ostravice River. The Ostravice River is located in the Moravian-Silesian Region, the Czech Republic. For macrozooentos sampling in 2016 and 2018, a standard 3-minute semiquantitative multihabitat sampling method including a manual benthos net sampler was used. Macrozoobentos was collected from the surface of upper side of the stones, underside of the stones, side of the stones of 20-25 cm size, that dominated the flow, as well as from gravel and moss substrates. The sites were selected on the basis of good availability, appropriate depth of flow and absence of any point source of pollution. The physico-chemical parameters of water, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, oxidation-reduction potential, conductivity, temperature and flow rate of water, were also recorded and analyzed in the study. Computer programs, such as Excel and Canoco for Windows, were used to evaluate macrozoobenthos dependence on physico-chemical parameters and types of habitats.

Keywords: Abiotic variables, macrozoobentos, Pearl method, Ostravice river, Canoco