Abstract

HAUENSTEIN, Enrique et al. Floristic comparison and trophic condition based on indicator species in coastal lagoons of the Araucanian Region, Chile. Ecol. austral [online]. 2008, vol.18, n.1, pp.43-53. ISSN 1667-782X.

This study describes and analyses plant species diversity and identifies indicator species for nitrogen eutrophization in four coastal lagoons in the Araucanian Region, Chile. A total of 82 vascular macrophyte species were identified. Tromen lagoon has the highest species richness (45 taxa), followed by Patagüa and Peule with 42 species each, while only 36 were found in Puyehue. Patagüa and Peule have the most similar flora, while Puyehue is the most dissimilar. Aloctonous species predominate in all four lakes (more than 47% being introduced species), and the most common life form are the hemicryptophytes with 40 species, indicating a strong human impact on their lakeshores. Patagüa lagoon has the greatest number of eutrophication indicators (8 species), showing a high trophic level. Puyehue, on the other hand, has only three, coinciding with the lowest species richness, so its trophic level should be lower.

Keywords : Bioindicators; Macrophytes; Wetlands.

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