PATTERNS OF DISTRIBUTION OF DIATOM ASSEMBLAGES IN PEATLANDS ECOSYSTEM ON VRANICA MOUNTAIN(BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA)

Abstract

The field research for this study was carried out during the autumn season in 2018 at three well developed peatland ecosystems on Vranica mountain. Collection of diatom samples was carried out by squeezing Sphagnum moss. After squeezing, collected material was fixed with 4% solution of formalin. Laboratory processing of diatom samples was carried out applying methods used by Hustedt (1930). A total of 78 taxa belonging to 33 genera were determined in the collected samples. Genera with the highest number of species were Eunotia (14), Pinnularia (11), Gomphonema (5) and Neidium (5). Altogether 77 diatom taxa mostly belonging to pennate diatoms were found. The only centric species, Aulacoseira alpigena (Grunow) Krammer 1991, appeared in one sample only. The most common species were Encyonema perpusillum, Pinnularia borealis, Frustulia crassinervia, Pinnularia rupestris, Eunotia paludosa, Pinnularia microstauron, Pinnularia perirrorata, Eunotia valida, Tabellaria ventricosa, Pinnularia subcapitata var. elongata. This study showed the presence of the large number of rare and endangered species in the peatland ecosystems on Vranica mountain, but also pronounced negative anthropogenic influences. In order to protect these unique and extremely valuable ecosystems in the future, certain restoration and conservation actions should be undertaken. These activities should be seen in the establishment of long-term monitoring and prevention of further degradation of peatland ecosystems through more active and stronger protection.