Comparative analysis of algal biodiversity in the rivers of Israel

Comparative analysis of algal communities in the rivers of Israel was completed to highlight the influence of environmental variables on biodiversity. The study revealed that 671 species of algae and cyanobacteria belonging to nine taxonomic divisions were present during 2002–2009 in the Yarqon, Alexander, Hadera, Qishon, Oren, Lower and Upper Jordan, and Zin rivers. The species richness of each river was evaluated by taxonomic structural comparison, geobotanical, hierarchical cluster analysis, and the degree of relatedness for different levels of taxonomic resolution. The analysis revealed close similarity of the Upper Jordan and Oren rivers. The average taxonomic distinctness index showed that the Yarqon, Oren, Upper Jordan, and Qishon communities were partly degraded due to permanent environmental disturbances. The variation in taxonomic distinctness index showed that the Alexander, Yarqon and Hadera communities were formed not only due to anthropogenic factors but also through long-term climatic impact. The most abundant indicator species inhabit low streaming and standing alkaline waters of medium salinity and low to medium organic pollution. The statistical approaches allowed discrimination between climatic and anthropogenic factors that impact upon the riverine biodiversity in semi-arid environments. Analysis shows the influence of anthropogenic factors was strongly modulated by climatic impacts causing a marked decease of species richness from north to south.

[1]  E. Nevo,et al.  Comparative analysis of algal communities in the rivers of northern and southern Israel as bearing on ecological consequences of climate change. , 2010 .

[2]  E. Nevo,et al.  The Upper Jordan River Algal Communities are Evidence of Long-Term Climatic and Anthropogenic Impacts , 2010 .

[3]  I. Hanski,et al.  Conservation planning with insects at three different spatial scales , 2010 .

[4]  J. Avise.  Phylogeography: retrospect and prospect , 2009 .

[5]  S. Barinova,et al.  REGIONAL INFLUENCES ON ALGAL BIODIVERSITY IN TWO POLLUTED RIVERS OF EURASIA (RUDNAYA RIVER, RUSSIA, AND QISHON RIVER, ISRAEL) BY BIOINDICATION AND CANONICAL CORRESPONDENCE ANALYSIS , 2008 .

[6]  B. Emerson,et al.  Phylogenetic analysis of community assembly and structure over space and time. , 2008, Trends in ecology & evolution.

[7]  S. Barinova,et al.  Algal communities in the polluted lower Jordan River, Israel , 2008 .

[8]  Bryan C. Carstens,et al.  Distribution modelling and statistical phylogeography: an integrative framework for generating and testing alternative biogeographical hypotheses , 2007 .

[9]  M. Rietkerk,et al.  Is plant biodiversity driven by decomposition processes? An emerging new theory on plant diversity , 2007 .

[10]  M. Cantonati,et al.  Benthic Algae in High Altitude Streams of the Alps – a Neglected Component of the Aquatic Biota , 2006, Hydrobiologia.

[11]  M. Cantonati,et al.  Springs of the Alps – Sensitive Ecosystems to Environmental Change: From Biodiversity Assessments to Long-term Studies , 2006, Hydrobiologia.

[12]  E. Nevo,et al.  Algal indicator system of environmental variables in the Hadera River basin, central Israel , 2006 .

[13]  D. Mouillot,et al.  Assessment of Coastal Lagoon Quality with Taxonomic Diversity Indices of Fish, Zoobenthos and Macrophyte Communities , 2005, Hydrobiologia.

[14]  E. Nevo,et al.  Diversity and ecology of phytoplankton and periphyton of the Nahal Oren, Alon Natural Park, Northern Israel , 2005 .

[15]  Jonathan V. Higgins,et al.  A Freshwater Classification Approach for Biodiversity Conservation Planning , 2005 .

[16]  S. Barinova,et al.  Diversity and ecology of algae from the Nahal Qishon river, northern Israel , 2004 .

[17]  E. Nevo.  Inaugural Article: Evolution of genome-phenome diversity under environmental stress , 2001 .

[18]  M. Zacharias,et al.  A Hierarchical Ecological Approach to Conserving Marine Biodiversity , 2000 .

[19]  Y. Bar-Or.  Restoration of the Rivers in Israel's Coastal Plain , 2000 .

[20]  A. Rosemond.  USE OF ALGAE FOR MONITORING RIVERS III , 2000 .

[21]  D. John,et al.  Use of Algae for Monitoring Rivers III, edited by J. Prygiel, B.A. Whitton and J. Bukowska (eds) , 1999, Journal of Applied Phycology.

[22]  Eviatar Nevo,et al.  BIODIVERSITY AND INTERSLOPE DIVERGENCE OF VASCULAR PLANTS CAUSED BY MICROCLIMATIC DIFFERENCES AT “EVOLUTION CANYON”, LOWER NAHAL OREN, MOUNT CARMEL, ISRAEL , 1999 .

[23]  K. R. Clarke,et al.  A taxonomic distinctness index and its statistical properties , 1998 .

[24]  K. R. Clarke,et al.  Taxonomic distinctness and environmental assessment , 1998 .

[25]  E. Nevo.  Evolution in action across phylogeny caused by microclimatic stresses at "Evolution Canyon". , 1997, Theoretical population biology.

[26]  Eviatar Nevo,et al.  Asian, African and European biota meet at ‘Evolution Canyon’ Israel: local tests of global biodiversity and genetic diversity patterns , 1995, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences.

[27]  M. Evenari,et al.  THE INFLUENCES OF AMOUNTS AND DISTRIBUTION OF IRRIGATION DURING THE HOT AND DRY SEASON ON EMERGENCE AND SURVIVAL OF SOME DESERT WINTER ANNUAL PLANTS IN THE NEGEV DESERT , 1994 .

[28]  R. Whittaker.  Evolution and measurement of species diversity , 1972 .

[29]  M. Zohary.  Equisetaceae to Moringaceae , 1966 .

[30]  E. Nevo,et al.  Algal indicators of environment in the Nahal Yarqon basin, Central Israel , 2004 .

[31]  K. R. Clarke,et al.  Practical measures of marine biodiversity based on relatedness of species , 2001 .

[32]  Brian A. Whitton,et al.  Use of algae for monitoring rivers II , 1996 .