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Quantitative inference models for water-chemistry variables are derived from epiphytic diatom assemblages in 186 lentic and mostly shallow freshwaters in lower Belgium (Flanders). When the complete pH range is considered (pH 3.4–9.3), robust transfer functions are obtained for median pH (jack-knifed r2 = 0.88, RMSEP = 0.38 pH units or 6.4% of the observed range) and dissolved inorganic carbon concentration (jack-knifed r2 = 0.86, RMSEP = 0.194 log10 mg DIC l−1 or 10.2% of the observed range) by means of weighted-averaging partial least squares regression (WA-PLS). For these variables, the calibration models are as reliable as those based on sedimentary diatom assemblages. Inferences of pH may be improved by combining estimates from epiphytic and sediment assemblages. In circumneutral and alkaline conditions, WA-PLS calibration of maximum or median total phosphorus is possible (log-transformed; jack-knifed r2 = 0.64 or 0.66 and RMSEP = 14% or 12.3% of the observed range, respectively). It makes little difference if taxa showing no response to TP are taken into consideration or not. These models considerably expand the prospects of using historical herbarium materials to hindcast environmental conditions and also allow more accurate interpretation of current compositional changes in epiphytic communities. Compared to littoral sediment assemblages, fewer water-column variables can be inferred reliably from epiphyton. This probably results from differences between the effective gradients in both habitats, together with lower in situ species diversity and less effective spatial integration (i.e. lower recruitment of phytoplankton) in the epiphyton. A comparison of the HOF response-model types and WA-optima of diatom taxa for epiphytic and sediment assemblages shows that the relationship to individual variables, and in particular to those related to trophic status, may differ with habitat. Thus, the combination of samples from both habitat types in the same calibration model is not recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationships between littoral surface-sediment diatom assemblages and ambient limnological conditions were examined in 186 lentic fresh waters throughout lower Belgium (Flanders). Most of these waters were small, unstratified, alkaline and rich in nutrients. Using weighted-averaging techniques, robust and accurate transfer functions were developed for median pH-values ranging from 3.4 to 9.3 and dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations from <1.6 to 63 mg l−1 (jackknifed r2≈ 0.87, RMSEP <10% of the observed range), while a less precise model was obtained for sodium (2–571 mg l−1; jackknifed r2 0.69, RMSEP 9.9% of the range). Restricting the data set to circumneutral and alkaline sites (pH≥6.5) revealed the importance of additional variables, including calcium, silica, chemical oxygen demand and potential gross oxygen production (a proxy for metabolic activity and phytoplankton abundance). Calibration models for these variables were strong enough to be useful (jackknifed r2 0.57–0.59, RMSEP 13.1–16.4% of the observed range), although estimations should not always be considered entirely independent. Except for the predominant pH gradient, removal of all taxa with a distribution unrelated to the variable of interest improved model performance. In general, such taxa were proportionally represented among taxa classified according to their principal habitat. Application of the present models to diatom assemblages of shallow-water sediments obtained from historical samples and, most importantly, herbarium-macrophyte specimens, will improve hindsight into regional freshwater conditions and add to base-line setting of ecological quality standards in a highly impacted region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates whether the process of pressing and drying a macrophyte host affects community structure and composition of epiphytic diatom communities. Epiphytic diatoms on submerged macrophytes from carbonate rivers and streams in southern Bavaria, Germany were sampled in order to study community structure and composition. Simultaneously, a specimen of the submerged macrophyte was taken to create a collection of dried plants. After 6 months of preservation, diatom samples were taken from the herbarium macrophytes. Detrended correspondence analysis, diversity and evenness results indicate that recent and dried communities are indistinguishable. These results suggest that epiphytic diatom communities sampled from historic herbarium macrophytes can be utilised as bioindicators to assess former water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]