Stoneworts (Characeae) and associated macrophyte species as indicators of water quality and human activities in the Pays-de-la-Loire region, France

The distribution of Characeae vegetation from the Pays-de-la-Loire region was studied in ponds and standing waters (e.g. gravel pits, quarries, oxbows) in relation to water quality, other existing algae or macrophyte competition, and human activities. The potential of using stoneworts to characterise the type of biotope is presented and stoneworts show some possibility for use as general bioindicators of trophic quality in ponds and other still waters.