Functional measures and food webs of high elevation springs in the Swiss alps

Robinson, Christopher T.; Schmid, Dominik W.; Svoboda, Matthias; Bernasconi, Stefano M.

doi:10.1007/s00027-008-8125-y

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The water temperatures of the investigated springs decreased with increasing altitude as it has been shown previously, for instance, for springs in the Swiss National Park (Robinson et al, 2008) and the Adamello-Brenta Natural Park (Cantonati, 1998). At the intermediate altitude (1600-1950 m a.s.l.) the springs exhibited a greater heterogeneity of water temperature than those at lower and higher altitudes.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Macroinvertebrate assemblages of natural springs along an altitudinal gradient in the Bernese Alps, Switzerland

Wigger

Schmidlin

Nagel

et al. 2015

Ann. Limnol. - Int. J. Lim.

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-Alpine springs are sensitive ecotones which are inhabited by highly adapted organisms. Studies on how the species assemblages change vertically have not been conducted previously. We investigated 35 natural springs along an altitudinal gradient of about 2000 m in a valley in the Bernese Alps over 2 years. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of the macroinvertebrate assemblages of natural springs along this gradient and to find out which environmental factors determine the distribution of the species along the altitudinal gradient. The spring fauna was quantitatively sampled three times and a wide range of environmental parameters were measured. The species richness significantly decreased with increasing altitude and the composition of the species assemblages changed distinctively along the altitudinal gradient. The low-elevation springs were dominated by crenobiont species, whereas high-altitude springs were mostly inhabited by taxa typical for Alpine headwaters in general. The mid-altitudinal range was a transition zone where crenobiont and alpine species co-existed. The water temperature was an important factor determining the species richness and the composition of macroinvertebrate assemblages of the springs at different altitudes. Moss, stones and the degree of forestation also had a significant influence on the composition of the macroinvertebrate assemblages. This study helps to understand the distribution of the spring fauna along altitudinal gradients. Knowing the current distribution ranges is an important prerequisite to predict potential changes of the species distribution, caused by global change, in the future.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Macroinvertebrate assemblages of natural springs along an altitudinal gradient in the Bernese Alps, Switzerland

Wigger

Schmidlin

Nagel

et al. 2015

Ann. Limnol. - Int. J. Lim.

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“…In light of increased nutrient release as glaciers recede (Hood and Scott, 2008;Fountain et al, 2012), it is unclear whether community processing rates will track nutrient availability (Wilhelm et al, 2013). The loss of these important nutrient sinks (alpine rivers), may also have implications downstream (Peterson et al, 2001;Robinson et al, 2008). Therefore, we suggest developing catchment scale, area specific conservation approaches, better suited to managing additional non-climate related stressors such as intensive agriculture/livestock grazing (i.e.…”

Section: Developing Conservation Strategies For a Changing Climate Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alpine aquatic ecosystem conservation policy in a changing climate

Khamis

Hannah

Clarvis

et al. 2014

Environmental Science & Policy

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Freshwater ecosystems are often of high conservation value, yet many have been degraded significantly by direct anthropogenic impacts and are further threatened by global environmental change. Traditionally, conservation science and policy has promoted principles based on preservation and restoration paradigms, which are linked to assumptions of stationarity and uniformitarianism. Adaptation requires new approaches based on flexibility, iterativity, non-linearity, and redundancy. Many high alpine river networks represent near natural, pristine river systems and important biodiversity 'hotspots' of European freshwater fauna. However, there remains a lack of guidance on alpine river conservation strategies under a changing climate at EU, regional and local levels. A critical evaluation of current conservation and adaptation principles and governance frameworks was undertaken with relation to predicted climate change impacts on freshwater ecosystems. Case studies are presented from two alpine zones in mainland Europe (the Pyrénées and the Swiss Alps). The complexity of climate change impacts on hydrological regimes, habitat and biota from both case study regions suggests that current legislative and policy mechanisms, which frame conservation approaches, need to be realigned. In particular, a shift in focus from species-centric approaches to more holistic ecosystem functioning conservation is proposed.A methodological approach is set out that may help conservationists and resource managers to both prioritise their efforts, and better predict future habitat and biotic responses to set ecological baseline conditions. Due to the complexity and limited potential for preventative intervention in these systems, conservation strategies should focus on: (i) the maintenance and enhancement of connectivity within and between alpine river basins and (ii) the control and reduction of additional anthropogenic stressors.

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“…However, all springs in the area of the Alp Buffalora outside of the SNP are above the tree line, thus minimizing the input of leaf-litter as an important food-source. Even springs above the tree line seem to be heterotrophic systems with simple food webs and mostly omnivore invertebrates (Robinson et al 2008). The limnocrene spring LIM, which was also investigated by Nadig (1942), differs morphologically from the other springs due to its large size (62 m²) and the depth of the pond (2.1 m).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…They are sensitive habitats, usually of a small spatial extent (Cantonati & Ortler 1998) and fed by small catchment areas (Cantonati et al 2006). Recent studies on Alpine springs in Switzerland were conducted e. g. by Weber 2004, Robinson et al 2008and Wigger & von Fumetti 2013 Springs in protected Alpine areas have been intensively monitored in Berchtesgaden National Park in Germany (Gerecke & Franz 2006), where over 330 springs have been investigated. In Austria, the Kalkalpen and Gesäuse National Parks were intensively monitored in the past ten years (e. g. Weigand 1998;Weigand & Graf 2004;Gerecke et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Faunistic Characterization of Alpine springs in the Swiss National Park

Fumetti¹,

Felder²

2014

ecomont

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Springs are unique habitats for highly adapted organisms that are endangered by anthropogenic impacts. The springs in the Swiss National Park (SNP) have remained largely free of direct anthropogenic impacts since the foundation of the park. Monitoring of these unaffected Alpine springs is therefore of special interest. In this project 19 springs in the SNP and the adjacent Val Müstair Biosphere Reserve were investigated. In early summer and autumn 2012, the springs were mapped and physiochemical parameters were measured. The macroinvertebrates were sampled quantitatively with a surber sampler and qualitatively by hand-picking. Results show that Diptera, Trichoptera and Plecoptera are the most diverse orders. Within these orders, cold-stenothermal species with alpine altitudinal preferences and endemic species were found. They are partly endangered or at least vulnerable in Switzerland. The macro invertebrate species assemblages of the springs show a high degree of individuality. However, looking at the species assemblages, springs at different sites or valleys differ significantly from each other. This underlines the importance of protected areas as sanctuaries for threatened species living in endangered habitats such as springs. Moreover, a protection of the springs outside of the SNP would be desirable.

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Functional measures and food webs of high elevation springs in the Swiss alps

Cited by 16 publications

References 34 publications

Macroinvertebrate assemblages of natural springs along an altitudinal gradient in the Bernese Alps, Switzerland

Macroinvertebrate assemblages of natural springs along an altitudinal gradient in the Bernese Alps, Switzerland

Alpine aquatic ecosystem conservation policy in a changing climate

Faunistic Characterization of Alpine springs in the Swiss National Park

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