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Jasmina Sargac
My research focuses on the impact of land use on stream-riparian meta-ecosystems. I investigate the role of forested buffers on structure and function of streams and adjacent riparian ecosystems in agricultural landscapes. I am especially interested which factors regulate the transfer and uptake of aquatic subsidies into terrestrial food webs and the potential of forested buffers to mitigate the adverse effects of agricultural land use.
Research
Projects:
CROSSLINK - Understanding cross-habitat linkages between blue and green infrastructure to optimize management of biodiversity, ecosystem services and multiple human uses
NEXUS - How does altered connectivity between streams and riparian ecosystems impact the biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and valued ecosystem services of riparian buffer strips
Background
DOCTORAL STUDY - Bilogy with specialization in ecology (2018-2022), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. Thesis: Forested buffers in agricultural landscapes: Mitigation effects on stream–riparian meta-ecosystems (Main supervisor: Prof. Richard K. Johnson)
POSTGRADUATE SPECIALIST STUDY - Environmental protection and nature conservation (2012 - 2015), Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia. Thesis: Ecological quality assessment of Lonja River upper basin based on macrozoobenthos analysis (Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Mladen Kerovec)
GRADUATE STUDY - Biology, program of Ecology (2004 – 2010 ), University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Croatia. Thesis: Plankton communities in the Jankovac stream artificial lakes (Papuk) (Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Maria Špoljar)
Selected publications
Sargac J. Forested buffers in agricultural landscapes: Mitigation effects on stream–riparian metaecosystems. Doctoral thesis. May 2022
Hamback, P.; Sargac, J.; Grudzinska-Sterno, M. Comment on Bohmann et al. Strategies for sample labelling and library preparation in DNA metabarcoding studies. Authorea. March 31, 2022. DOI: 10.22541/au.164873296.65705956/v1
Sargac, J.; Johnson, R.K.; Burdon, F.J.; Truchy, A.; Rî¸snoveanu, G.; Goethals, P.; McKie, B.G. Forested Riparian Buffers Change the Taxonomic and Functional Composition of Stream Invertebrate Communities in Agricultural Catchments. Water 2021, 13 (8). DOI:10.3390/w13081028
Burdon, F.J.; Ramberg, E.; Sargac, J.; Forio, M.A.E.; de Saeyer, N.; Mutinova, P.T.; Moe, T.F.; Pavelescu, M.O.; Dinu, V.; Cazacu, C.; Witing, F.; Kupilas, B.; Grandin, U.; Volk, M.; Rîşnoveanu, G.; Goethals, P.; Friberg, N.; Johnson, R.K.; McKie, B.G. Assessing the Benefits of Forested Riparian Zones: A Qualitative Index of Riparian Integrity Is Positively Associated with Ecological Status in European Streams. Water 2020, 12 (4). DOI:10.3390/w12041178
Ramberg, E.; Burdon, F.J.; Sargac, J.; Kupilas, B.; Rîşnoveanu, G.; Lau, D.C.P.; Johnson, R.K.; McKie, B.G. The Structure of Riparian Vegetation in Agricultural Landscapes Influences Spider Communities and Aquatic-Terrestrial Linkages. Water 2020, 12 (10). DOI:10.3390/w12102855
Kahlert, M. et al. New molecular methods to assess biodiversity. Potentials and pitfalls of DNA metabarcoding: a workshop report. Research Ideas and Outcomes 5 2019. DOI:10.3897/rio.5.e38915
Špoljar, M.; Dražina, T.; Šargač, J.; Kralj Borojević, K.; Žutinić, P. Submerged macrophytes as a habitat for zooplankton development in two reservoirs of a flow-through system (Papuk Nature Park, Croatia) .Ann. Limnol. - Int. J. Lim. 2012, 48 (2) 161-175. https://doi.org/10.1051/limn/2012005