The taxonomical and functional diversity of three groups of aquatic insects in rheocrene karst springs are affected by different environmental factors

Karst springs represent valuable and often the most threatened habitats in the riverine landscape. Unlike other stream habitats, they have several specifics that determine their insularity in the river continuum, e.g., high seasonal thermal and chemical stability. The presented study aimed to find out the taxonomical and functional richness of three groups of aquatic insects (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) in the Western Carpathians karst springs, as well as uncover the mechanism of the EPT community assembly. Low within-site species richness was generally found, however, there was high between-site diversity and thus high total diversity of the studied groups of benthic invertebrates as well. Species richness of the EPT community was higher in larger and colder springs: those with lower concentrations of CO2 and Fe, as well as higher concentrations of SO42−. Analysis of functional richness, as well as functional dispersion, did not reveal any clear assembly mechanism in the spring EPT community; however, both analyses indicated a higher proportion of environmental filtering there. Unlike the taxonomic richness, the functional richness of the EPT community was significantly higher in small and medium springs with higher water temperatures, as well as in springs with the presence of deadwood. Between-site dissimilarities in the functional composition of EPT were significantly correlated with environmental differences of springs, which determined variables such as spring size and temperature, as well as the concentration of CO2 and SiO2.