guest ::
| Home > Articles > Published articles > Mediterranean springs : |
| Home > Articles > Published articles > Mediterranean springs : |
(Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals) (Universidad de Cantabria. Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental) (Universitat de Barcelona. Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio)) (University of Bologna. Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences) (Universidade do Porto. Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental) (Delegació de la Serralada Litoral Central) (Universidade de Vigo. Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal) (Institut d'Avaluació Ambiental i Recerca de l'Aigua) (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals) (Societat Catalana de Ciències per a la Conservació de la Biodiversitat) (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals) (Institut d'Investigació i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries) (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals) (Universidad de Elche. Departamento de Biología Aplicada) (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
| Date: | 2023 |
| Abstract: | 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. |
| Grants: | Agencia Estatal de Investigación CEX2018-000828-S Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca 2021/SGR-01333 European Commission 101076740 Agencia Estatal de Investigación PID2021-128778OA-I00 Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación RYC2021-031511-I Agencia Estatal de Investigación FJC2021-046923-I |
| Rights: | Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.  |
| Language: | Anglès |
| Document: | Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada |
| Published in: | Global change biology, (November 2023) , art. e16997, ISSN 1365-2486 |
