Charophyte Community in the Lowermost Locality in the World Near the Dead Sea, Israel

Aims: First study of the lowermost locality the Neot HaKikar with charophytes in the Dead Sea region of Israel has been implemented showing the algal diversity and ecological assessment of the water object environment.

Study Design: We implemented diverse bio-indication methods.

Place and Duration of Study: Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Israel, Central Siberian Botanical Garden of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia, between January 2012 and December 2014.

Methodology: Material for this study comes from 26 samples including 9 living and 9 fixed periphyton samples, 4 fixed samples of charophytes and 4 samples of water. We used bio-indication methods for the purpose of characterizing pool water quality and ecosystem sustainability. Index saprobity S and Index of aquatic ecosystem sustainability WESI were calculated.

Results: Altogether 39 species of algae, including macro-algae Chara contraria A. Braun ex Kützing (Charales, Charophyceae), were revealed in the Neot HaKikar pool. Chara was found in significant growth in the bottom and coastal part of the studied pool. Bio-indication and chemical variables characterized the charophyte site environment as mesotrophic to eutrophic with prevailing benthic types of organisms with an autotrophic type of nutrition, which are mostly attached to the substrate and preferred standing water, medium-enriched by oxygen, with temperate temperature, medium salinity, low alkalinity, and low-to-middle organic pollution, representing the Class III of water quality. Seasonality of the algal community and water quality showed organic and other contaminants of pollution during the winter period as a result of evaporation and an atmospheric dust impact. The Charophyte community is sharply limited in its development as a result of periodical anthropogenic desiccation of the pool. We found unique properties of Chara contraria in the renewed population after two years of desiccation.

Conclusion: We can recommend the Neot HaKikar pool for the monitoring of unique natural aquatic objects in the Dead Sea area, and Chara contraria as a climatic indicator of surviving under future climate warming.