Seasonal differences in drivers of species richness of waders in inland wetlands of La Mancha Húmeda Biosphere Reserve

Abstract

Temporary inland wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems worldwide, and recognition of the factors that determine species richness in different seasons is key for developing conservation plans for these systems. La Mancha Húmeda Biosphere Reserve in central Spain has many inland wetlands of this type, but the driving ecological processes of species richness are poorly understood. This study examines the association of landscape and local variables with species richness patterns of inland wetlands of La Mancha Húmeda Biosphere Reserve during winter and the breeding season. The number of lakes in several increasing radii was a proxy of connectivity, and maximum flooded surface and shoreline length were surrogates of the species–area relationship. Other landscape and local habitat variables, such as hydroperiod (length of inundation period), distance from human settlements, shoreline development index, vegetation surface cover, average lake depth, number of islands and surface area of islands were also analysed. Hierarchical partitioning analysis was used to evaluate the contribution of the environmental variables to explain the species richness of waders. Species richness (26 species, four threatened in Europe) had different associations with the variables during the wintering and breeding seasons. The richness of breeding and wintering species was positively associated with hydroperiod and maximum flooded surface area respectively. No variable measured was negatively associated with species richness in any season. Hydroperiod and flooded surface area are altered directly by human activities. Water extraction for irrigation reduces hydroperiod in some wetlands, whereas wastewater input extends hydroperiod in others, promoting wader concentrations in lakes flooded in summer and potentially favouring botulism outbreaks. In addition, the lack of protection and management on most of the lakes in La Mancha Húmeda Biosphere Reserve also favours encroachment of agriculture, destroying and degrading habitat for wintering and breeding waders.

Detection of Antibodies against Mycobacterium bovis in Oral Fluid from Eurasian Wild Boar

“…The study site has moderate densities of wild boar, but for now, the TB prevalence in wild boar and livestock is very low in Guadiana Valley [7,51,52]. The capture operations of wild boar in this site, by contrast, are sporadic and carried out to maintain the density of wild boar under permissible critical thresholds within the protected area, since it is a wetland with high ecological value due to its population of waterfowl [53]. In this way, wild boars are captured and, after sanitary monitoring, they are released back into the wild in managed hunting estates.…”

Wind effects on habitat use by wintering waders in an inland lake of the Iberian Peninsula

“…Findings in this study add to our understanding of factors influencing the foraging patterns of smallsized waders in inland (non-tidal) lakes. Wetlands in central Spain, especially in the region of the 'La Mancha Húmeda' Biosphere Reserve, are generally surrounded by plantations and most of the lakes have no physical protection limiting the advance of the agricultural frontier (Gonçalves et al, 2018b). The shore topography of some of these lakes has been modified in the past by agricultural and infrastructure works, including transformations for receiving wastewater from nearby towns (Gonçalves et al, 2018a).…”

Plastic Debris in Nests of Two Water Bird Species Breeding on Inland Saline Lakes in a Mediterranean Biosphere Reserve

“…Although most of the lakes are temporary, the natural regime of some is altered by wastewater input, which prolongs the hydroperiod [ 34 , 35 ]. The biosphere reserve wetlands host 26 wader species [ 36 ] and are also a wintering ground for cranes ( Grus grus ) [ 37 ] and the breeding habitat for other birds such as the gull-billed tern ( Gelochelidon nilotica ) [ 38 ], the black-winged stilt ( Himantopus himantopus ), and the greater flamingo ( Phoenicopterus roseus ) [ 39 ].…”