Comparison of periphyton growth on two artificial substrates in temperate zone fishponds

Periphyton communities are fundamental components of freshwater ecosystems that influence water quality, nutrient cycling, and productivity. Additionally, periphyton communities serve as valuable food sources in aquaculture. The periphyton communities on two substrates—heather mats and geotextiles—were compared in four temperate fishponds. After 51 days of immersion, the geotextiles exhibited significantly greater fluorescence, indicating a greater abundance of algae and cyanobacteria. Conversely, the abundance (and biomass) of periphyton invertebrates on heather mats was greater than that on geotextiles, and the difference became more pronounced over time. These differences resulted from significantly greater dipteran larval abundances (biomasses) on the heather mats than on the geotextiles. This study suggested that heather mats can significantly enhance food abundance and availability within the water column under Central European conditions.