An Ecological Overview of Halophytes and Salt-Affected Soils at El Hito Saline Pond (Central Spain): Baseline Study for Future Conservation–Rehabilitation Measures

Jiménez-Ballesta, Raimundo; Cirujano-Bracamonte, Santos; Palencia-Mayordomo, Eduardo; Álvarez-Soto, Mario

doi:10.3390/land13040449

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 78 publications

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“…Therefore, based on all of the above, the Hito saline pond constitutes an iconic environment representative of the most diverse and productive ecosystems in the Mediterranean region. It is the result of the interaction of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, providing a wide range of services and benefits to local inhabitants and visitors, including climate regulation, water purification and flood hazard reduction; but above all, it highlights its recreational and cultural value, in addition to being a wildlife habitat (Jiménez-Ballesta et al, 2024). Continuous assessment and monitoring of soil salinity should be followed.…”

Section: Ecosystem Services Of El Hito Lagoonmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pedological features of a sustainable halophyte wetland: El Hito saline pond (Central Spain)

Jiménez‐Ballesta,

Cirujano‐Bracamonte,

Palencia‐Mayordomo

et al. 2024

European J Soil Science

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In semi‐arid Mediterranean regions, particularly in some wetland soils, salinity is thought to be an indicator of low‐quality soils. In this study, a characterization is presented of the soils surrounding El Hito saline pond (Castilla La Mancha, Central Spain), an ecological halophyte niche within a natural semi‐arid steppe land. The main aim is to classify the salt‐affected soils and their morphology, genesis, and physico‐chemical properties. Four soil profiles were opened with a backhoe machine for sampling and subsequent description on the basis of their pedogenetic morphology. Systematic surface sampling was also performed. Standard methods were followed to measure the soil properties of 27 samples. Overall electrical conductivity (EC) and pH levels of the wetland were mapped (using ArcGIS 3.1.3). Soil salinity at elevated levels was detected, inhibiting plant uptake of water and nutrients. Distinct sub‐areas of extreme elevated surface salinity providing specialized plant habitats and poor soil structure were observed, as well as a mainly whitened‐yellowish‐greenish soil colour due to salt accumulation and poor drainage. The soils also showed alkaline pH values. In most samples, the pH was over 8.5, and EC was higher than 4 (dS m−1), and in several samples higher than 20 (dS m−1). A low sodium (Na) content was detected in the saturation extract where magnesium (Mg+) was the dominant soluble cation, followed by both calcium (Ca+) and sodium (Na+), and then potassium (K+), present in lower proportions. Sulphate (SO42−) and then chloride (Cl−) anions were dominant, although carbon trioxide, (CO3−) and carbonate (CO32−) anions were also present. The percentages of organic carbon (C) were very low, while total nitrogen (TN) and available phosphorus (P) were higher in the upper horizons, suggesting a degree of eutrophication. The present work will increase the existing knowledge about the role of El Hito saline pond, that play a vital ecological role in the broader biosphere, providing new suggestions to readers on how this knowledge can be used to improve these types of ecosystems. In particular, the agricultural pesticides and fertilizers continuously damage the soil fertility as evidenced by the high content of soluble phosphorus found in some points of the Hito saline pond.

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Section: Ecosystem Services Of El Hito Lagoonmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pedological features of a sustainable halophyte wetland: El Hito saline pond (Central Spain)

Jiménez‐Ballesta,

Cirujano‐Bracamonte,

Palencia‐Mayordomo

et al. 2024

European J Soil Science

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Comparative Assessment of Soil Parameters and Ecological Dynamics in the Western Himalayan Wetland and Its Surrounding Periphery

Sahu,

Purohit,

Srivastava

et al. 2024

Environmental Quality Mgmt

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Disparities in pH, conductivity, organic carbon (OC), nutrients, and moisture between the Asan Wetland and its periphery in the Western Himalaya, India, highlight the need to investigate influencing factors. This study thus addresses two gaps: (1) identifying key drivers for alkaline pH and elevated wetland concentrations and (2) understanding how different values outside the wetland relate to ecological processes. Asan Wetland soil samples, collected on April 15, 2023, underwent analysis for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), organic matter (OM), available nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), moisture content (M), total organic carbon (TOC), and total organic matter (TOM) using standard laboratory procedures, APHA, CPCB, and standard manual techniques. Within the wetland, results indicated that the soil is more alkaline (pH 8.50 ± 0.13) than the periphery in the concentrations of EC, N, K, and M were found to be higher compared to the corresponding concentrations outside the wetland, with mean values of 1.10 ± 0.15 ds/m, 364 ± 117.13 kg/ha, 86.42 ± 21.64 kg/ha, and 20.87 ± 1.50%, respectively. Conversely, outside the wetland, higher values of OC, OM, P, Na, Ca, TOC, and TOM were recorded (0.39 ± 0.23%, 0.66 ± 0.39%, 0.82 ± 0.35 ppm, 80.45 ± 8.46 ppm, 268.12 ± 61.12 ppm, 56.80 ± 0.33%, and 97.70 ± 0.57%, respectively). pH, EC, K, Ca, Na, and moisture content variations indicate location‐based differences. pH, TOM, TOC, and soil moisture were positively correlated within wetlands but negatively correlated with Na and N. In addition, moisture was positively correlated with pH and N but negatively correlated with Ca, K, Na, and P. The study concluded that the Asan Wetland exhibits distinct soil characteristics compared to its periphery, exhibiting location‐based differences while emphasizing these factors' interconnectedness.

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Ecological Restoration Process of El Hito Saline Lagoon: Potential Biodiversity Gain in an Agro-Natural Environment

Nuévalos-Tello,

Hernández-Torres,

Sardinero-Roscales

et al. 2024

Land

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In the global context of biodiversity and ecosystem services loss, the integration of agriculture with ecological restoration is crucial.. This study presents the biodiversity value (Bv) index for the first time as a tool for decision-making and securing funding for future restoration projects. The Bv index was used to assess biodiversity values in both restored natural habitats and agricultural areas in the saline lagoon of El Hito, a natural reserve located within an agricultural landscape in central Spain. Additionally, we estimated biodiversity gains from habitat transitions and explored the relationship between biodiversity, soil pH, and salinity. Sustainable agricultural practices, combined with ecological restoration methods, can lead to synergistic actions that reduce the potential detrimental effects of agriculture. Our results show that transitioning from agricultural to natural habitats consistently increases biodiversity. Among agricultural practices, multiannual vegetated fallows had the highest Bv values. Restoration led to a continuous biodiversity improvement, with the exception of the final transition from permanent pastures to Elymus 1410, which showed a slight decline in biodiversity. We also found that higher soil salinity and pH were associated with greater biodiversity values, likely due to historical agricultural practices that favored areas with lower salinity and pH for higher productivity. Salinity and pH act as limiting factors for biodiversity; therefore, agricultural plots with lower salinity and pH, particularly those adjacent to natural habitats, are expected to yield greater biodiversity gains if restored.

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An Ecological Overview of Halophytes and Salt-Affected Soils at El Hito Saline Pond (Central Spain): Baseline Study for Future Conservation–Rehabilitation Measures

Cited by 3 publications

References 78 publications

Pedological features of a sustainable halophyte wetland: El Hito saline pond (Central Spain)

Pedological features of a sustainable halophyte wetland: El Hito saline pond (Central Spain)

Comparative Assessment of Soil Parameters and Ecological Dynamics in the Western Himalayan Wetland and Its Surrounding Periphery

Ecological Restoration Process of El Hito Saline Lagoon: Potential Biodiversity Gain in an Agro-Natural Environment

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