Small Water Bodies of the Western Balkans

Contents
1 Springs as Essential Water Sources for Dependent Ecosystems in Karst
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Karst and Karst Aquifers Distribution in the Dinarides
1.3 Vulnerability of Karst Aquifers and Variability of Springs Discharge
1.4 Ecosystems, Water Demands and Ecological Flows
1.5 How to Regulate Karst Aquifer Drainage?
1.6 Conclusions
References
2 Small Standing-Water Ecosystems in the Transitional Temperate Climate of the Western Balkans
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Environmenal Features of Small Waterbodies in the Temperate Climate
2.3 Zooplankton Assemblage in Temperate Shallow Ecosystems
2.4 Macroinvertebrates Interplays in the Littoral Zone of Shallow Water Ecosystems
2.5 The Fish Component in Small Waterbodies
2.6 Conclusions
References
3 Conservation Value and Habitat Diversity of Fluvial Lakes and Gravel Pits in River-Floodplain Systems
3.1 Introduction
3.2 River-Floodplains in the Western Balkans
3.3 Aquatic Habitats in Fluvial and Gravel Pit Lakes in the Western Balkans—Conservation Significance
3.4 Comparison of Physico-Chemical and Hydromorphological Properties of Fluvial and Gravel Pit Lakes
3.5 Conclusions
References
4 Fountains—Overlooked Small Water Bodies in the Urban Areas
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Brief History of Limnological Research of Fountains
4.3 Environmental Features of the Fountains
4.4 Biota of the Fountains
4.5 Fountains of the Balkans
4.6 Conclusion
References
5 Temporary Ponds in Mediterranean Islands: Oases of Biodiversity
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Invertebrates and Their Adaptations to Temporary Ponds
5.3 Biotic and Abiotic Interactions in Mediterranean Ponds: A Case Study from Adriatic Islands (Croatia)
5.3.1 Study Site and Sampling Protocol
5.3.2 Abiotic Factors, Macrophytes and Faunal Assemblage
5.3.3 Biotic and Abiotic Interactions in Ponds
5.4 Conclusion
Appendix
References
6 Riparian Springs—Challenges from a Neglected Habitat
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Faunistic Diversity of Riparian Springs is Driven by Substrate Composition
6.3 Is There a Longitudinal Pattern in Environmental Variables and the Community in Riparian Springs?
6.4 Transition Between Flood and Spring Phases May Enhance Biodiversity of Riparian Springs
6.5 Hydrological Characteristics and Social Perception Affect the Development of Appropriate Management Strategies
6.6 Conclusion
References
7 Ecological Characteristics and Specifics of Spring Habitats in Bosnia and Herzegovina
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Physical and Chemical Characteristics of the Spring Waters in Bosnia and Herzegovina
7.3 Algae and Cyanobacteria in Spring Habitats
7.4 Plant Communities of Springs
7.5 Endemic and Rare Crenobiontic Fauna
7.6 Discussion
References
8 Algae in Shallow and Small Water Bodies of Serbia: A Frame for Species and Habitat Protection
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Diversity of Algae in Shallow/Small Water Bodies of Serbia
8.2.1 Microalgae
8.2.2 Macroalgae
8.3 Frame for Species and Habitat Protection
8.3.1 Protection of Algae: Problems and Efforts Made in Finding a Solution
8.3.2 State of the Art in Serbia
8.3.3 Instead of Conclusion—Guidelines Proposal
References
9 Springs and Headwater Streams in Serbia: The Hidden Diversity and Ecology of Aquatic Invertebrates
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Springs and Headwater Streams in Serbia—Habitat of Hidden Diversity of Aquatic Invertebrates
9.3 Macrozoobenthos Communities of Springs and Headwater Streams
9.4 Springs and Headwater Streams—Diversity Refugia
9.5 Specific Communities of Macrozoobenthos of Thermal Springs and Brooks
9.6 Suborganismal Responses as an Endpoint in Biomonitoring of Headwater Streams
9.7 The Effects of Trout Farms on Macrozoobenthos Communities
9.8 The Effects of Spring Capture on Macrozoobenthos Communities
9.9 The Influence of Small Hydropower Plants on Macrozoobenthos Communities
9.10 Proposed Measures for the Preservation of Springs and Headwater Streams in Serbia
9.11 Conclusion
References
10 Springs of Southeastern Serbia with a Focus on the Vlasina Plateau: Different Types of Challenges for the Macroinvertebrate Community
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Southeastern Serbia—A Forgotten Chest of Crenobiology
10.3 Springs in the Niš Valley Versus Springs at the Vlasina Plateau and Threats
10.4 Faunistic Composition of Springs Communities and Their Main Drivers
10.5 Functional Composition of Springs Communities
10.6 Conclusion
References
11 Gastropods in Small Water Bodies of the Western Balkans—Endangerments and Threats
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Diversity of Freshwater Gastropods Fauna in Small Water Bodies of the Western Balkans
11.3 The Newly Described Freshwater Gastropod Species of the Western Balkans—Last Two Decades
11.4 Indicator Species of Gastropods in Different Water Body Types
11.5 The Most Significant Pressures to the Diversity of Gastropods in Small Water Bodies
11.6 Conclusions
References
12 Importance of Small Water Bodies for Diversity of Leeches (Hirudinea) of Western Balkan
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Taxonomy Discordance and Problems that Arise
12.3 History of Leech Investigation in Western Balkans
12.4 Contribution of Small Water Bodies to the Diversity of Leeches of Balkans
12.4.1 Erpobdellidae
12.4.2 Glossiphoniidae
12.4.3 Piscicolidae
12.4.4 Hirudinidae and Haemopidae
12.5 Ecology of Leeches in Small Water Bodies of Western Balkan
12.6 Conclusions
References
13 Karst Springs: Isolated Ecosystem Ecology from the Water Mite Perspective
13.1 Introduction
13.2 The Diversity of Crenobiontic Water Mites in the Western Balkans
13.3 The Environmental Drivers of Crenobiontic Water Mite Diversity in Karstic Springs
13.4 Conclusion
References
14 Large Branchiopods in Small Water Bodies: A Case Study of the Ramsar Site “Bardača Wetland” (NW Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Characterization of the Ramsar Site “Bardača Wetland”
14.3 Main Characteristics of Plant and Animal Communities of “Bardača Wetland”
14.4 Large Branchiopod Crustacean Communities in Temporary Ponds (Fairy Shrimps, Tadpole Shrimps, Clam Shrimps)
14.5 Diversity of the Large Branchiopods in Bosnia and Herzegovina
14.6 Disturbance Factors that Influence Water Bodies in the Area of the Ramsar Site “Bardača Wetland”
14.7 The Freshwater Biodiversity Protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Specifically Refers to the Fauna of Large Branchiopods)
14.8 Conclusions
References
15 How Important are Small Lotic Habitats of the Western Balkans for Local Mayflies?
15.1 Introduction
15.1.1 Mayfly Biology and Ecology
15.1.2 Development of Mayfly Research in the Western Balkans and Current Knowledge
15.1.3 Problems in Species Identification and Taxonomically Interesting Taxa
15.2 Mayflies of Small Lotic Habitats in the Western Balkans
15.2.1 Mayflies of Springs
15.2.2 Mayflies of Streams and Rivers
15.3 Mayflies as Bioindicators—Influences of Various Anthropogenic Activities on Mayfly Communities
15.4 Current Gaps and Recommendations for Future Research
15.5 Conclusions
References
16 Fish Communities Over the Danube Wetlands in Serbia and Croatia
16.1 Wetlands—Functions, Values, and Conservation
16.2 Danube Floodplain in Western Balkans—State and Perspective
16.3 Danube Floodplain in Serbia and Croatia
16.4 Fish Community Structure and Composition
16.5 Conclusion
References
17 The Importance of Small Water Bodies’ Conservation for Maintaining Local Amphibian Diversity in the Western Balkans
17.1 Introduction
17.2 The Metapopulation Approach in Conservation of Small Water Bodies for Amphibians
17.3 Small Water Bodies and Amphibians in Croatia
17.3.1 General Hydrographic Features of Croatia
17.3.2 The Origin and Status of Small Water Bodies
17.3.3 Amphibian Species Occurring in Small Water Bodies
17.3.4 The Main Threats for Small Water Bodies
17.4 Small Water Bodies and Amphibians in Bosnia and Herzegovina
17.4.1 General Hydrographic Features of Bosnia and Herzegovina
17.4.2 The Origin and Status of Small Water Bodies
17.4.3 Amphibian Species Occurring in Small Water Bodies
17.4.4 The Main Threats for Small Water Bodies
17.5 Small water bodies and amphibians in Montenegro
17.5.1 General Hydrographic Features of Montenegro
17.5.2 The Origin and Status of Small Water Bodies
17.5.3 Amphibian Species Occurring in Small Water Bodies
17.5.4 The Main Threats to Small Water Bodies
17.6 Small Water Bodies and Amphibians in Albania
17.6.1 General Hydrographic Features of Albania
17.6.2 The Origin and Status of Small Water Bodies
17.6.3 Amphibian Species Occurring in Small Water Bodies
17.6.4 The Main Threats for Small Water Bodies
17.7 Small water bodies and amphibians in Serbia
17.7.1 General Hydrographic Features of Serbia
17.7.2 The Origin and Status of Small Water Bodies
17.7.3 Amphibian Species Occurring in Small Water Bodies
17.7.4 The Main Threats for Small Water Bodies
17.8 Small water bodies and amphibians in North Macedonia
17.8.1 General Hydrographic Features of North Macedonia
17.8.2 The Origin and Status of Small Water Bodies
17.8.3 Amphibian Species Occurring in Small Water Bodies
17.8.4 The Main Threats for Small Water Bodies
17.9 Conclusions
References
18 Human Impact Induces Shifts in Trophic Composition and Diversity of Consumer Communities in Small Freshwater Ecosystems
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Methods
18.3 Results
18.4 Discussion
18.5 Conclusion
References
19 Pollution of Small Lakes and Ponds of  the Western Balkans—Assessment of Levels of Potentially Toxic Elements
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Small Lakes and Ponds of the Western Balkans
19.3 Pollution of Small Lakes and Ponds
19.4 Overview of the Literature Related to Pollutants in Small Lakes and Ponds of the Western Balkans
19.5 Creating Awareness of the Significance of Pollution of Small Lakes and Ponds Through Assessment of Levels of PTEs in Small Aleksandrovac Lake in Serbia
19.5.1 Sampling and Methodology
19.5.2 Potentially Toxic Elements in Fish Tissues
19.6 Conclusions
References
20 Conclusions: Small Water Bodies of the Western Balkans—Values and Threats
20.1 Introduction
20.2 The SWBs in the Western Balkan are Critical to Freshwater Biota and Ecosystem Service Delivery
20.2.1 Small Standing Water Bodies
20.2.2 Springs
20.3 An Integrated Look at the Threats to SWBs in the Western Balkans
20.4 The Protection of SWBs Within the Socio-Ecological Context
References