Contrasting intra-annual patterns of six biotic groups with different dispersal mode and ability in Mediterranean temporary ponds

Abstract

The temporal patterns of six biotic groups (from phytoplankton to amphibians) and their responses to environmental variation were studied in a set of Mediterranean temporary ponds. These biotic groups differed widely in dispersal ability and dispersal mode (active v. passive) and, for this reason, we predicted that they would exhibit different temporal patterns and responses to environmental factors. Six temporary ponds were sampled three times: at the beginning (January), middle (March) and end (May) of the hydroperiod. For each biotic group, we evaluated temporal variation in composition, species richness, among-pond similarities and number of typifying taxa. Moreover, a β diversity partitioning procedure was used to obtain the relative contributions of the replacement and richness components to overall β diversity. Finally, the effects of water, pond and landscape variables on composition and taxa richness were analysed for each group. Different temporal patterns were observed among the biotic groups studied, and in some (but not all) cases these differences were explained by their dispersal ability. Similarly, we observed that environmental control was group specific. These results advance the notion that communities in Mediterranean temporary ponds are highly variable over time and that generalisations with regard to patterns and controls across taxonomic groups are not supported.

Addressing trait selection patterns in temporary ponds in response to wildfire disturbance and seasonal succession

“…These changes were congruent with the decrease in strong dispersers' arrival and the concomitant increase in scraper feeding groups, which are mostly composed of weaker dispersers (Heino, 2013;Wiggins et al, 1980). The decrease in strong dispersers during winter (Feb13 survey) could be expected (Boix et al, 2001(Boix et al, , 2017Williams, 2006), but as this trend became evident from the comparison between the burned and the unburned ponds on the same dates, it points to an effect of the wildfire on the burned ponds. Furthermore, the decrease in collector feeding strategies was consistent with the already detected impact of wildfires on resource availability in lentic systems (Lewis et al, 2014;Oliver et al, 2012;Robson et al, 2018;Scrimgeour, Tonn, Paszkowski, & Goater, 2001).…”

Ecological and Conservation Value of Small Standing-Water Ecosystems: A Systematic Review of Current Knowledge and Future Challenges

“…However, this evidence is not translated into binding regulations and policy programs capable of generating a global protection strategy. This contrasts with outcomes from multiple studies highlighting the pivotal contribution of SWEs to the local, regional, and global biodiversity [5,13,16]. This situation mirrors what happened with spring habitats [17], and often leaves these habitats at the mercy of human tampering outside the network of protected areas and natural parks where landscape alterations have accumulated in the last centuries [18].…”

“…SWEs are present on almost every continent, and in all key biomes, including tropical rainforests, temperate woods, grasslands, steppe, savanna, drylands, and the arctic tundra. In Mediterranean regions, SWEs can be either perennial or seasonal with complex inter-annual dynamic phases that justify the high rates of unique floristic and biotic diversity [7,12,13]. This is especially true in lowlands with the highest human and climate-related change impacts [14,15].…”

Contribution of artificial waterbodies to biodiversity: A glass half empty or half full?

“…Even though landscape variables have been reported to be important factors in shaping the community composition of the three animal groups, water beetles are particularly influenced by the water's characteristics (Boix et al 2016), whereas amphibians and freshwater snails are mostly influenced by landscape and pond features (Jumeau et al, 2020;Rosset et al, 2014). In addition, amphibians are terrestrial active dispersers, and this great dispersal ability enables J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f them to rapidly colonize new artificial ponds, where they may even reach similar richness values as they do in natural ponds located in the same region (Arntzen et al 2017).…”