Charophytes (Charophyta) in the Zasavica special nature reserve

Floristic and taxonomic diversity, as well as studies of ecological characteristic of Charophyta algae were carried out within the complex biodiversity researches, in the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve. Nine species were recorded: Chara globularis, C. contraria, C. vulgaris, Nitella mucronata, N. capillaris, N. syncarpa, N. confervacea, Tolypella intricata and T. prolifera. The most common charophyte habitats are shallow, often ephemeral, ponds and puddles in diluvial forests and marshy meadow depressions. Charophytes were also found in riparian areas of water flows, springs and channels, in shallow water (0.1 to 1.2 m), neutral to alkaline (pH 7.4-8.8), and on different substrates (silt, peat, bogland mold).