Title : Impact of agricultural activities on the biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems in Lithuania
Abstract:
This poster presentation analyzes the biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems in Lithuania and evaluates the impact of agricultural production factors on its structure. The study is based on extensive data collected between 2013 and 2022, comprising a total of 21,693 macroinvertebrate individuals, allowing for an evaluation of long-term community dynamics. The results reveal that while community structures are primarily shaped by a small number of abundant taxa, such as Limnephilus sp., Bithynia tentaculata, and Asellus aquaticus, rare species constitute the majority of the taxonomic richness. Biodiversity indices (Shannon – 3.28; Simpson – 0.95) indicate a stable ecosystem state; however, intensifying agriculture poses a direct threat to this balance. The use of fertilizers and pesticides promotes habitat homogenization, leading to the decline of sensitive, rare species and their replacement by more resilient, cosmopolitan organisms. The study emphasizes that rare species are critical guarantors of ecosystem stability. To preserve this biodiversity, integrated conservation measures are essential. The findings suggest that maintaining wide riparian buffer zones and implementing the renaturalization of drainage systems are key factors in reducing nutrient runoff and preserving habitat heterogeneity. These measures not only protect rare taxa but also enhance the self-regulation potential of the entire ecosystem.
Keywords: Biodiversity, Macroinvertebrates, Agricultural Impact, Ecosystem Stability, Rare Species.
