Macrophyte-based Assessment of Ecological Status of Aldomirovsko and Dragomansko Marshes, Bulgaria

The study was conducted in Dragomansko and Aldomirovsko marshes situated in west Bulgaria. During 2017 sampling was carried out between July and September within belt transects: 17 transects in Dragomansko marsh and 9 in Aldomirovsko marsh. Data of aquatic plants and abiotic habitat parameters were collected in a zigzag pattern along each transect. The applied Reference Index evaluates two aspects of macrophyte community: taxonomic composition (assigned to 1 of 3 indicator groups) and abundance (DAFOR scale: dominant, abundant, frequent, occasional and rare), which are combined into one multimetric. Sixty-three taxa were found on the territory of the marshes, twenty of which common for both marshes. Helophyte species had higher representation in Aldomirovsko marsh (51%), whereas in Dragomansko marsh their percent share was 38%. Based on the analysis of the aquatic macrophytes the assigned ecological status for both Dragomansko (RI=8.36) and Aldomirovsko (RI=0) marshes was moderate.