Spatial synchrony of wader populations in inland lakes of the Iberian Peninsula

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

“…In contrast, some endorheic lakes now receive wastewater input (e.g. Manjavacas, Quero, Veguilla, Pedro Muñoz, Miguel Esteban, Mermejuela, Larga de Villacañas and Longar; Gonçalves et al, ), extending the hydroperiod in dry years and providing adequate habitat for foraging and breeding during summer months when the water deficit is high. This leads to some breeding wader populations moving from the wetlands with shortened hydroperiods to lakes receiving wastewater.…”

“…In addition to the international designations for site protection, at a national level most of the wetlands studied are classified as Natural Protected Sites, such as Natural Reserves (ecosystems of high singularity and fragility) and, to a lesser extent, as Natural Parks (sites as important as Natural Reserves, but with higher geomorphological and aesthetic values) (Table ; RD 1274/2011, ). These designations should promote the maintenance of environmental quality, but there are few environmental management projects.…”

“…The region experiences an average temperature of 14.7°C and average annual rainfall of 300–500 mm (Martinez‐Santos et al, ), with low to no precipitation levels in summer (July–October). Thus, the wetlands are usually hydrologically stable between January and February after autumn and early winter rains, with some water usually remaining until mid‐summer (Gonçalves et al, ). This is strongly altered in some sites by wastewater input, which prolongs the hydroperiod and changes physical–chemical conditions from hypersaline to fresh water (Castillo‐Escrivà et al, ).…”

“…Seasonal variations in waterbird richness may reflect different processes, such as changes in environmental conditions, seasonality of migratory movements and local displacement of resident species (Dalby, McGill, Fox, & Svenning, ; Guadagnin, Peter, Perello, & Maltchik, ; Sebastián‐González, Sánchez‐Zapata, & Botella, ; Tomankova, Boland, Reid, & Fox, ). In the MHBR region, the variability of rainfall during the breeding season affects the temporal abundance of resident species, which may be forced to move to other wetlands in the late summer, returning in the winter (Gonçalves et al, ). On the other hand, whereas most of the migratory populations use the region as a stopover site, species such as dunlin ( Calidris alpina ) and little stint ( Calidris minuta ) occupy the region all winter (Birdlife International, ).…”

“…However, despite their environmental importance, the landscape has been drastically transformed by agriculture (mainly vineyards, cereal crops and olive groves), and by forestry and pasture land (Crespo et al, 2011). Furthermore, the water regime of these wetlands has changed considerably owing to the overexploitation of aquifers for irrigated agriculture and wastewater inputs from adjacent urban areas (Gonçalves et al, 2016;Martinez-Santos, De Stefano, Llamas, & Martínez-Alfaro, 2008).…”