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

Zamora-Marín, José M.; Ilg, Christiane; Demierre, Eliane; Bonnet, Nelly; Wezel, Alexander; Robin, Joël; Vallod, Dominique; Calvo, José F.; Oliva‐Paterna, Francisco J.; Oertli, Beat

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141987

Cited by 30 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…Even though spring ecosystems and their biodiversity are threatened worldwide, those from Mediterranean‐type regions suffer the consequences of global change more strongly because their intrinsic water limitation exacerbates other potential problems, such as eutrophication (Fernández‐Martínez et al., 2020; Martín et al., 2024). Furthermore, it is in these regions where spring ecosystems play an important role in sustaining biodiversity because they represent isolated habitats with permanent water availability surrounded by habitats where water is not typically available (Fernández‐Martínez, Berloso, et al., 2019; Zamora‐Marín, Ilg, et al., 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mediterranean springs: Keystone ecosystems and biodiversity refugia threatened by global change

Fernández‐Martínez,

Barquín,

Bonada

et al. 2023

Global Change Biology

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Mediterranean spring ecosystems are unique habitats at the interface between surface water and groundwater. These ecosystems support a remarkable array of biodiversity and provide important ecological functions and ecosystem services. Spring ecosystems are influenced by abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors such as the lithology of their draining aquifers, their climate, and the land use of their recharge area, all of which affect the water chemistry of the aquifer and the spring discharges. One of the most relevant characteristics of spring ecosystems is the temporal stability of environmental conditions, including physicochemical features of the spring water, across seasons and years. This stability allows a wide range of species to benefit from these ecosystems (particularly during dry periods), fostering an unusually high number of endemic species. However, global change poses important threats to these freshwater ecosystems. Changes in temperature, evapotranspiration, and precipitation patterns can alter the water balance and chemistry of spring water. Eutrophication due to agricultural practices and emergent pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and pesticides, is also a growing concern for the preservation of spring biodiversity. Here, we provide a synthesis of the main characteristics and functioning of Mediterranean spring ecosystems. We then describe their ecological value and biodiversity patterns and highlight the main risks these ecosystems face. Moreover, we identify existing knowledge gaps to guide future research in order to fully uncover the hidden biodiversity within these habitats and understand the main drivers that govern them. Finally, we provide a brief summary of recommended actions that should be taken to effectively manage and preserve Mediterranean spring ecosystems for future generations. Even though studies on Mediterranean spring ecosystems are still scarce, our review shows there are sufficient data to conclude that their future viability as functional ecosystems is under severe threat.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mediterranean springs: Keystone ecosystems and biodiversity refugia threatened by global change

Fernández‐Martínez,

Barquín,

Bonada

et al. 2023

Global Change Biology

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“…Small ponds are in general more biodiverse than larger lakes possibly due to the lack of large fish (Scheffer et al 2006). Although ponds in the urban environment are degraded compared to ponds in nature areas (Biggs et al 2005, Zamora-Marín et al 2021, they still significantly contribute to the urban's regional biodiversity (Indermuehle et al 2004, Davies et al 2008, Loram et al 2011. In their study, Hill et al (2019) indicated that local environmental conditions are the primary drivers of macroinvertebrate biodiversity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological characterisation of urban ponds in the Netherlands: a study based on data collected by volunteers

Peeters¹,

Wilhelm²,

Gerritsen³

et al. 2023

Frontiers of Biogeography

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Highlights• A citizen science project was launched to investigate private garden ponds and public urban ponds in the Netherlands in 2021• Private garden ponds are in general smaller with more floating vegetation than public urban ponds• Garden and public urban ponds largely share macroinvertebrate communities but also may harbour specific communities• Water depth and to a lesser extent submerged vegetation appeared to be more important for macroinvertebrates in urban ponds than presence of fish or floating vegetation• Citizen science can generate valuable data and information that professionals can't or usually won't obtain

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“…Freshwater blue spaces (rivers, streams, shallow lakes, ponds) represent key environments in the urban landscape as they are beneficial for the citizens' health and well‐being (McDougall et al, 2022; Miró et al, 2018; Mitroi et al, 2022), and have high ecological value showing a positive impact on biodiversity (Hassall, 2014; Krivtsov et al, 2022; Oertli & Parris, 2019; Zamora‐Marín et al, 2021). In particular, urban ponds are often numerous and can act as refuges for threatened species, stepping stones for the migration of different organisms (Blicharska & Johansson, 2016; Hassall et al, 2016) allowing the movement of individuals and genes (Miró et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Addressing the trophic status in urban ponds: An evaluation of current trophic state indexes

Allende,

Fontanarrosa

2023

Austral Ecology

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Ponds are generally understudied. Quality problems in urban freshwaters can arise from eutrophication, and trophic status classification gives information related to their ecological situation. Ponds may strongly differ from larger lakes for which most current trophic status classification methods have been developed. This paper seeks to compare and contrast the suitability of six trophic status indexes (TSI) and OECD trophic classifications system currently used to evaluate the eutrophication level of urban ponds in the Subtropical region. The trophic status was evaluated based on total phosphorus (TP), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), total nitrogen (TN) and phytoplankton chlorophyll a (Chl a) in 12 ponds placed in different cities from the Pampean region (Argentina), in the warm and cold seasons. Our results demonstrate that there was no relationship between pond size (0.08–2.45 ha) and trophic status. TSIs estimated with Chl a showed significant differences between seasons and the range oligotrophic‐hypertrophic of trophism was encountered. Conversely, TSIs estimated with nutrient concentrations (TP, SRP, TN) did not. The pond's classification in trophic levels fell in the eutrophic‐hypertrophic extreme, and only considering TN/TP broadened the trophic range. No relationship was encountered between Chl a and P; however, Chl a and TN/TP were positively correlated during the warm season. Lower trophic levels regarding TSI (Chl a) were generally associated with a dense floating‐macrophyte cover. We suggest that the TSI considered should correspond to the latitudinal region in which the ponds are located. Our results indicate that it appears restrictive to consider only P contents in ponds to assess eutrophication. Under the proposed framework, the key issues for the study of pond trophic classification will be to include not only P but N concentrations and TN/TP. Also, phytoplankton Chl a concentration jointly with floating macrophytes biomass/coverage should be considered as diagnosis parameters.

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

Cited by 30 publications

References 75 publications

Mediterranean springs: Keystone ecosystems and biodiversity refugia threatened by global change

Mediterranean springs: Keystone ecosystems and biodiversity refugia threatened by global change

Ecological characterisation of urban ponds in the Netherlands: a study based on data collected by volunteers

Addressing the trophic status in urban ponds: An evaluation of current trophic state indexes

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