Alpine pond biodiversity: what are the related environmental variables?

Abstract

ABSTRACT1. The aim of this study was to identify the environmental variables correlated with biodiversity in alpine ponds.2. Twenty alpine ponds in Switzerland were chosen to examine the relationship between the species (or family) richness of five biological groups and a selection of eight environmental variables.3. Altitude, pH, conductivity, macrophyte presence, fish presence and trophic state, showed significant relationships with the diversity of at least one biological group. On the other hand, pond area and depth demonstrated no significant correlations with biodiversity.4. Most highlighted relationships between biodiversity and environmental variables were different from those seen in lowland ponds, reflecting the distinctive nature of alpine water bodies. The results of the study suggest that there is a need to establish specific biodiversity evaluation tools for alpine ponds, which differ from those already used for lowland ponds.

Environmental correlates of plant and invertebrate species richness in ponds

“…Our results agree with those of Hinden et al (2005) who demonstrate positive relationships between fish presence and odonate species richness but negative relationships between fish presence and coleopteran species richness. We add to this pattern positive relationships with Hemiptera, Trichoptera and Mollusca.…”

“…However, interactions between pH and other variables such as the presence of fish may produce the opposite pattern, where invertebrates are abundant in acidic lakes in which fish cannot persist McNicol 1987, 1995). Conductivity has been shown to correlate with macrophytes, odonates and beetles in alpine ponds, although this is not consistent with fundings from lowland areas (Hinden et al 2005). The impacts of varying salinity on invertebrate communities have been demonstrated in the contexts of fresh-brackish-saline water communities (Williams 2003) and pollution caused by road salt (Williams et al 2000).…”

“…The geographical location of ponds has been shown to influence communities and species richness, including the altitude of the pond (Hinden et al 2005) and the location of the pond relative to other ponds (Briers and Biggs 2005). However, evidence for an effect of connectivity at smaller spatial scales is equivocal .…”

“…Chemical correlations of pond species richness pH has previously been shown to influence richness Hinden et al 2005), with few species found <pH5.5 (Friday 1987). However, interactions between pH and other variables such as the presence of fish may produce the opposite pattern, where invertebrates are abundant in acidic lakes in which fish cannot persist McNicol 1987, 1995).…”

“…Plant cover positively affects odonate communities (Carchini et al 2005;Hinden et al 2005), macrophyte richness (Hinden et al 2005) and macroinvertebrate richness (Gee et al 1997). The structural complexity of the plant community also plays a role in determining biomass of invertebrates, although not the species richness (McAbendroth et al 2005).…”