Functioning of Small Water Bodies

Dear Colleagues,

Small water bodies play a very important ecoton role, being a transitional system between various biocoenoses and aquatic ecosystems and also creating an interface between terrestrial and aquatic environments. Thus, they build a bridge that connects various wetlands, favouring the migration of many species. Generally, their large abundance worldwide and extensive total area, greater than that covered by lakes, contribute to maintaining high biodiversity. In spite of the fact that ponds located in a landscape with a low degree of transformation harbour decisively higher biodiversity than ponds in areas with a large impact of anthropepression, both types of water body can contribute to the enrichment of flora and fauna on local and regional scales. The high ecological value of these aquatic environments is expressed in the occurrence of specific pond species as well as in a generally high share of rare species that find favourable and often undisturbed life conditions in ponds. The hydrological functions of ponds are very variable throughout the year and highly depend on the level of water storage in the catchment of a water body. Because the number of ponds is generally decreasing, it is essential to develop effective arguments that will lead to the protection and maintainance of these valuable ecosystems.

Prof. Natalia Kuczýnska-Kippen
Prof. Dr. Maria Špoljar
Prof. Dr. Anna Kozak
Guest Editors

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