Diversity of phytophilous macroinvertebrates in polycultures of semi-intensively managed fishponds

Both the diversity and abundance of water column phytophilous macroinvertebrates (PMI) were related to the fish stocking density, physico-chemical parameters in the water and semi-quantity of littoral aquatic macrophytes (AM). PMI were sampled in ponds with two types of polyculture 0+ or 2+/3+ common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The carp stock was combined with predatory fish pike (Esox lucius) or catfish (Silurus glanis) and herbivorous fish grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and/or silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) in semi-intensively managed fishponds. Both the diversity of PMI community and abundance of most of the PMI trophic groups were negatively correlated with water depth and grass carp stocking density. Moreover diversity of PMI community was higher inside the beds of AM than in edge sites connected with open water. Neither polyculture with low stocking density of common carp 2+/3+ nor polyculture of common carp 0+ in the semi-intensively managed fishponds had a significant influence on the diversity of the PMI community. The abundance of PMI taxonomic groups was influenced by: (1) semi-quantity of reed sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima), (2) concentration of dissolved oxygen, (3) water depth, (4) common carp age 0+ or 2+/3+ and (5) quantity of fertilizer. Most of the PMI families were found in very shallow sites which were protected from fish, although environmental conditions there were more unfavourable, especially low oxygen concentration. The relationship between Glyceria maxima and PMI families seems to be related to its semi-terrestrial habitat (low water depth), growth dynamics and/or presence of aerenchyma. Supplemental food for fish increased the abundances of all of the PMI trophic groups.