Patterns of composition and species richness of crustaceans and aquatic insects along environmental gradients in Mediterranean water bodies

Boix, Dani; Gascón, Stéphanie; Sala, Jordi; Badosa, Anna; Brucet, Sandra; López‐Flores, Rocío; Martinoy, Mònica; Gifre, Jaume; Quintana, Xavier D.

doi:10.1007/978-90-481-9088-1_6

Cited by 35 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…The lack of a relationship between calanoid richness and environmental variables may be due to the low number of calanoid species, preventing a clear significant relationship with the GLM model method. In Catalonia, higher richness of calanoids in freshwater lakes than in brackish lagoons has previously been found (Boix et al 2008). In fact, 16 of the 24 calanoid species known in the Iberian Peninsula occur in freshwaters (Alonso 1998).…”

Section: Species Richness Of Crustacean Zooplankton In Brackish Tempementioning

confidence: 89%

“…However, Grindley (1981) found a decrease in species richness from freshwater to 2 salinity and an increase from 2 to 13. Although much less studied, salinity and hydrology are considered the main environmental factors structuring the invertebrate community in Mediterranean lakes and brackish lagoons (Beklioglu et al 2007, Boix et al 2008. Studies in this region have demonstrated both a decrease in zooplankton species richness and changes in the species composition with increasing salinity (Boronat et al 2001, Green et al 2005, Boix et al 2008.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Species richness of crustacean zooplankton and trophic structure of brackish lagoons in contrasting climate zones: north temperate Denmark and Mediterranean Catalonia (Spain)

Brucet¹,

Boix²,

Gascón³

et al. 2009

Ecography

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We sought to identify environmental factors influencing crustacean zooplankton species richness in brackish lagoons and to elucidate whether crustacean zooplankton species richness and trophic structure of brackish lagoons differ among two regions with contrasting temperatures. We sampled 35 and 42 brackish lagoons (salinity ranging from 0.3 to 55) in Mediterranean Catalonia (NE Spain) and northern-temperate Denmark, respectively. No significant differences were found in total crustacean zooplankton species richness or cladoceran richness between the climatic regions. Calanoid richness was higher in Denmark than in Catalonia, while cyclopoid richness was higher in Catalonia. Salinity was the most important variable associated with zooplankton species richness in both regions, richness of total zooplankton species, cladocerans and cyclopoids being negatively related with salinity. In both regions, a shift occurred from dominance of large filter feeding cladoceran species at low salinities to copepods and small cladoceran species at higher salinities. Cladoceran richness increased with increasing total phosphorus, but was not influenced by total nitrogen or chlorophyll-a. Trophic structure in Mediterranean brackish lagoons showed a more pronounced seasonal variation than in north temperate brackish lagoons. Our results imply that the indirect effects of climate warming, such as changes in salinity and hydrology, will have a larger impact on brackish lagoon ecosystems than the increase in temperature per se.

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Section: Species Richness Of Crustacean Zooplankton In Brackish Tempementioning

confidence: 89%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Species richness of crustacean zooplankton and trophic structure of brackish lagoons in contrasting climate zones: north temperate Denmark and Mediterranean Catalonia (Spain)

Brucet¹,

Boix²,

Gascón³

et al. 2009

Ecography

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“…The scarcity of water is a limiting factor for aquatic Mediterranean habitats, and thus, hydroperiod was the first structuring factor. Many studies of Mediterranean aquatic habitats have pointed to temporality and conductivity as major structuring forces (Boronat, Miracle & Armengol, 2001;Frisch, Moreno-Ostos & Green, 2006;Boix et al, 2008;Waterkeyn et al, 2008;Caramujo & Boavida, 2010). Although we were not expecting great differences in conductivity, because only freshwater ponds were included in this study, variation did exist because of the contrasting sources of their water.…”

Section: Special Ponds With Hemidiaptomus: the Role Of Historical Facmentioning

confidence: 92%

The role of historic and climatic factors in the distribution of crustacean communities in Iberian Mediterranean ponds

Sahuquillo

Miracle

2013

Freshwater Biology

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Summary We studied 140 freshwater ponds in eastern Spain spanning a wide range of water source, hydroperiod and regional heterogeneity attributable to orographic and climatic differences. Our aim was to provide a typology for Mediterranean ponds using crustacean assemblages and to find key environmental thresholds that define these pond types. To search for the environmental variables that define these communities, two complementary analyses were used: correspondence analyses (CA) and multivariate regression trees (MRT). We found a high level of specificity of crustaceans defining the different pond types. Three ponds, which were not associated with any of the large set of environmental variables used, were clearly separated from the rest in the CA. These held a very specific and probably relict community, characterised by the large calanoid Hemidiaptomus: we refer to these as ‘Hemidiaptomus’ ponds. Taxonomic information suggests a fundamental influence of historical events. The MRT analysis applied to the rest of the ponds allowed us to create a hierarchical order of several current environmental factors that account for their crustacean community composition. Thus, we defined four further pond types. The most important factor structuring communities was hydroperiod, separating temporary ponds, mainly fed by rain, from permanent ponds, fed from more stable sources. Climate‐related factors subsequently separated two groups of temporary ponds: (i) temporary ponds in semi‐arid areas (mean rainfall <600 mm year−1, spring rainfall <150 mm), which contained Neolovenula alluaudi and (ii) temporary ponds in semi‐humid areas, which contained Mixodiaptomus incrassatus. Amongst the permanent ponds, (iii) lowland coastal spring‐fed ponds with quite constant temperatures hosted a singular crustacean community that was well separated from that found in (iv) inland mountain ponds consisting of more ubiquitous crustaceans. These results provide a typology of ponds useful for conservation planning and freshwater biodiversity maintenance. Moreover, the identified ecological thresholds should be helpful in predicting the communities to be expected as a result of changes to land use or climate.

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“…We hypothesize that although this sward type is highly specialized for growth in waterlogged soils, it is extremely sensitive to changes in composition and seasonal dynamics related to varied environmental conditions; this has already been observed for other community types in the same habitat (Solimini et al , ; Boix et al , ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 54%

Sensitivity of ephemeral wetland swards with Isoetes histrix Bory to environmental variables: implications for the conservation of Mediterranean temporary ponds

Bagella

Caria

2012

Aquatic Conservation

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1. Small-scale landscape elements such as freshwater ponds and pools remain poorly characterized and vulnerable to destruction, despite their significant contribution to regional aquatic biodiversity.2. Ephemeral wetland swards supporting Isoetes histrix, which are considered priority interest habitats by the European Habitats Directive on the conservation of wild fauna and flora (codex 3170* -Mediterranean temporary ponds), typify concave pond shorelines (Habitat A) and very shallow flat temporary ponds (Habitat B).3. It is hypothesized that although this sward type is highly specialized for growth in waterlogged soils, it is highly sensitive to changes in composition and seasonal dynamics related to varied environmental conditions. The present study was aimed at comparing plant assemblages, and successional processes and dynamics during the growing season between different habitat types; and identifying the key factors influencing spatial variability.4. Vegetation was sampled three times during the growing season in the two habitat types (i.e A and B). At each site a range of environmental variables was also recorded. 5. PERMANOVA analysis indicated that plant assemblages differed between the two habitat types throughout the growing season. The different hydroperiod length was the main factor responsible for the specificity of the two habitats, revealed by CCA. However, the pattern of successional processes and seasonal dynamics was similar between the two habitats.6. The results confirmed the hypothesis, and strengthened the understanding of the relevance of hydroperiod length to plant assemblages in ephemeral ponds.7. The two habitats exhibit unique characteristics, and represent different aspects of priority habitat 3170*; therefore, to ensure that the highest level of biodiversity is maintained, measures must be taken to protect both sward habitats.

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Patterns of composition and species richness of crustaceans and aquatic insects along environmental gradients in Mediterranean water bodies

Cited by 35 publications

References 57 publications

Species richness of crustacean zooplankton and trophic structure of brackish lagoons in contrasting climate zones: north temperate Denmark and Mediterranean Catalonia (Spain)

Species richness of crustacean zooplankton and trophic structure of brackish lagoons in contrasting climate zones: north temperate Denmark and Mediterranean Catalonia (Spain)

The role of historic and climatic factors in the distribution of crustacean communities in Iberian Mediterranean ponds

Sensitivity of ephemeral wetland swards with Isoetes histrix Bory to environmental variables: implications for the conservation of Mediterranean temporary ponds

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