Floating islands as a strategy for promoting biodiversity in freshwater ponds

Graff, Lauren Marques; Pereira, Sofia I. A.; IIarri, Martina I.; Calheiros, Cristina S. C.

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/54727

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Authors

Graff, Lauren Marques

Pereira, Sofia I. A.

IIarri, Martina I.

Calheiros, Cristina S. C.

Abstract(s)

Background & Aim: Floating treatment wetlands (FTW) are a nature-based solution for water treatment and also delivered a wide range of other ecosystem services. The establishment of a FTW relies, mainly, on the presence of plants in a floating structure, where direct contact of the biological components enables the uptake and removal of contaminants from the water, through phytoremediation processes (Calheiros et al, 2023). However, there is still a lack of knowledge concerning the performance and the impact on biodiversity of this NBS. The aim of this study was to assess the biodiversity associated with a FTW installed in 2018 in a freshwater pond using cork agglomerate as floating platform. Methods: The flora comprised specimens of Iris germanica, Acorus gramineus, Caltha palustris and Typha latifolia. Samples from the platform biofilm and plant rhizosphere were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing technique to identify culturable bacterial communities and they were characterized on their ability to produce plant growth- promoting substances (PGPS). Macroinvertebrates were identified and biodiversity indexes calculated. Results: Preliminary results identified a variety of bacterial communities and the presence of strains with production of PGPS. Macroinvertebrates were classified mainly in the order Odonata, with more than 80% belonging to genus Coenagrion. Conclusions: Further research should explore the use of the bacterial strains with best production of PGPS in phytoremediation strategies and with plants undergoing climate change conditions. This study highlights the use of FTW as a water management technology and to promote biodiversity, as its aesthetic value.

Keywords

Macroinvertebrates Macrophytes Microbial communities Nature-based solution Water management

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/54727

Citation

Graff, L. M., Pereira, S. I. A., IIarri, M. I., & Calheiros, C. S. C. (2025). Floating islands as a strategy for promoting biodiversity in freshwater ponds. In Livro de Resumos do 18º Encontro de Investigação Jovem da U.Porto (pp. 694-695). Universidade do Porto.