Акватична флора и вегетација хидромелиорационих објеката на подручју Баната / Aquatic flora and vegetation of hydromeliorative facilities in the Banat region [Serbia]

The monograph presents the first complete results of recent state of the aquatic flora and vegetation in hydromeliorative facilities in the region of Banat. It was pointed out that in this aquatic ecosystem 178 taxa (171 species, 4 varieties and 3 forms) were found. A total of 178 taxa include 82 taxa which belong to hydrophytes (16 floating, 22 submerged and 44 emersed plant species). Among them are species important in terms of biodiversity conservation and environmental protection, as well as relics of the Tertiary. Additionally, adventive species and species characterized as invasive species for the territory of Vojvodina were identified. Many of them are vastly expanding in the canal network of banat, forming thick stands of aquatic and semiaquatic vegetation which gradually become hindrance to the functioning of the canal network and a threat to other indigenous aquatic plants. By long-term phytocenological research the stands of 26 associations were identified, belonging to the following classes: Hydrochari-Lemnetea Oberd. 1967 (7 associations), Potametea Tx. Et Prsg. 1942 (11 associations) and Phragmitetea Tx. Et Prsg. 1942 (8 associations). Important factors that lead to the development and proliferation of macrophyte flora and vegetation are physico-chemical and hydro-morphological characteristics of this aquatic ecosystem, which are also described in the monograph. Therefore, all the results presented in this monograph are very important for further research: on the basis of them it is possible to assess and successfully plan control measures of excessively developed aquatic weeds in order to maintain the functionality of this big, anthropogenic ecosystem. Additionally these results are starting point for taking the necessary steps to protect and preserve biodiversity or species which are exceptional natural rarities.