•Large differences in floristic composition of the plant communities were found.•Hydrological gradient highly correlated with plant diversity.•Calcium content and pH negatively correlated with plant ...diversity.•Hydrological gradient significantly influenced the composition of plant communities.
Plant communities and selected environmental parameters were studied at the intermittent Lake Cerknica. Seventeen plots (16 m2) were defined down a 600-m transect on a gentle sloping shore with an elevation decrease of 2.7 m, to investigate the different types of wetland vegetation characteristic of the different habitats. Vegetation was investigated using the standard Central European method. Soil samples were measured for pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorous and potassium, cation exchange capacity, and texture. Large differences in floristic composition of the plant communities were found. Vegetation of mesic meadows was seen for the rarely flooded most elevated plots, with transition downwards to wet grassland communities from the alliance Molinion and from the alliance Deschampsion. The lower habitats with soils waterlogged until July were colonized by marsh communities, while community of emergent hydrophytes was at the lowest end of transect. Over 100 vascular plant species were recorded in the plots. Species richness increased with elevation and decreased with moisture, with >50 taxa in three most elevated plots, and 9–15 taxa per plot for the nine most frequently flooded plots. The hydrological gradient corresponded to the elevation gradient, and together with duration of flooding had a crucial role in shaping plant community composition, distribution and diversity. The flooding arose from Ca-rich lake water, while elevated habitats were rainwater fed, which the consequent enhanced nutrient leaching and lowered pH and electrical conductivity. This produced negative correlations between plant community diversity and species richness versus pH, Ca2+ and electrical conductivity, since these influences were overridden by hydrological gradient.
The Sentinel satellite constellation series, developed and operated by the European Space Agency, represents a dedicated space component of the European Copernicus Programme, committed to long-term ...operational services in the environment, climate and security. A huge amount of acquired data allow us different surveys. The paper considers the detection of changes in water levels in Lake Cerknica. The multispectral index has been calculated from Sentinel-2 data and transformed to a 3D point cloud. As shown by the results, symmetry measures of 3D point clouds could be used for the detection of water levels. Prediction functions using a genetic algorithm have been fitted, and the best result achieved was RMSE = 0.9824.
The turnover of matter and through‐flow of energy in the intermittent Lake Cerknica is facilitated by the exchanging wet and dry periods, which either promote or suppress growth and development of ...organisms, depending on the season of the year. Any deviation from normal floods significantly affects the productivity of reed stands. Drainage of the lake prevents a constant presence of aquatic organisms, particularly planktonic species. Drying and wetting accelerates the decomposition of organic matter. The nutrient input into the lake by one surface tributary proved to be relatively high. The quantity of nutrients in the lake water is lower, however, because of the high buffering capacity of the densely vegetated ecosystem.
The basic hydrobiological conditions as well as the planktonic Rotifer assemblages of the Lake Cerknica (Slovenia) were investigated first time in 2004-2005. 16 taxa were found, most of them are ...frequent in Central Europe. The preliminary results suggest a pressing need for further research.
The Rešeto sinkhole system is a large, compacted area on the right side of Lake Cerknica, next to the settlement of Dolenje jezero.
This is a serried area of Karst sinkholes forming a unique surface ...enabling intensive drainage of water and co-creating the cultural landscape of Lake Cerknica.
The intermittence of water had a decisive impact on the lifestyle adjustment of the people living next to Lake Cerknica, who developed unique skills and knowledge (fishing, saving fish when the water was drained, mowing grass for animal bedding, making boats (drevak), farming, folk singing and other traditions, which enabled them to survive next to this natural feature).
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