University of Zagreb. Faculty of Science. Department of Biology.
Abstract
Močvare su ekološki sustavi koji imaju mnoge sličnosti i sa vodenim i sa kopnenim ekosustavima. Dvije značajke čine ih jedinstvenima: anaerobni supstrat (nastaje jer bakterije vrlo brzo iskorištavaju dostupni kisik u vodom zasićenim tlima) i prisustvo makrofita. Makrofiti imaju veliki utjecaj na svojstva močvara, jer su glavni primarni proizvođači, a djeluju kao crpke nutrijenata iz supstrata u vodeni stupac, utječu na hidrologiju i smanjuju eroziju tla te čine najveći spremnik nutrijenata, tijekom i nakon života. Razgradnja organske tvari jedan je od ključnih procesa koji se zbivaju u močvarama. Glavni razlagači u močvarama su bakterije i gljive, koje na taj način imaju središnju ulogu u kruženju nutrijenata. Močvare imaju vrlo visok kapacitet pročišćavanja vode i sprečavanja poplava. Za ekologiju močvara su vrlo bitni i beskralješnjaci jer su njihovi razvojni stadiji često glavna hrana većim životinjama kao što su ribe i ptice. Močvare su vrlo bitno stanište za ptice i ribe koje u močvarama pronalaze izvor hrane i mjesto za podizanje mladunaca. Iz razloga što se močvare konstantno uništavaju, a čovjek je često glavni krivac za to, potrebno je zaštititi močvare zakonskim propisima i obrazovati ljude koji žive ili rade u močvarnim područjima, kako bi se spriječilo daljnje uništavanje. Također treba unaprijediti tehnologiju obnove močvara.Wetlands are ecological systems which have many features in common with both aquatic and terrestrial systems. They have two features that together make them unique: anaerobic soil (develops beacause disolved oxygen in water saturated soils is quickly depleted by microorganisms) and large plants, collectively called macrophytes. Macrophytes have big influence on wetland properties because they are main primary producents, and they strongly influence water chemistry, acting as both nutrient sinks through uptake, and as nutrient pumps, moving compounds from the sediment to the water column. They influence the hydrology and sediment regime of wetlands, trough sediment and shoreline stabilization. They are the biggest reservoir of nutrients during and after their life. Litter decomposition is one of the most important processes in wetlands. Fungi and bacterias have central position in litter decomposition and consenquently central postion in nutrient cycles. Wetlands have very high capacity of purifying water and in flood control. Invertebrates and their larvae are very important for wetlands ecology because their are often main food for bigger animals like birds and fish. Wetlands are very important habitat for birds and fish because they are good source of food and nesting sites. Because wetlands are constantly being destroyed, and man is often main reason for that, it is necessary to make laws to protect wetlands and to educate people who live or work there. Procedures for restoration of wetlands should be also improved
