Mediterranean Temporary Ponds: using isotope hydrology tools to describe and understand their behaviour

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Mattei ◽  
Laurent Sorba ◽  
Emilie Garel ◽  
Sebastien Santoni ◽  
Sophie Orsini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Temporary Ponds ◽  
Temporary Pond ◽  
Isotope Hydrology ◽  
Mediterranean Temporary Ponds ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Hydrological Functioning

<p>Mediterranean temporary ponds are very shallow ponds, isolated from permanent water bodies, which undergo a periodic cycle of flooding and drought, and have a characteristic flora and fauna adapted to this alternation. This habitat is mainly distributed in dry and sub-arid areas. Mediterranean temporary ponds are identified as one of the worldwide biodiversity hotspots and constitutes therefore a priority habitats according to the Natura 2000 network of the European Union (3170*, Council Directive 92/43/CEE). The development of flora and fauna in this type of ecosystem is defined by the natural length of the hydro-period. However, little is known about the hydrological functioning of these very specific hydrosystems. DespiteHS10 this protective conservation status, this habitat has suffered continuous degradation and loss disappearing at a fast rate due anthropogenic impacts and climate pressures. In most cases, temporary wetland disappearance is unintentional and related to a lack of understanding of its hydrological functioning within the watershed.</p><p>The aim of this work is, hence, to use the tools of the isotope hydrology to increase our basic understanding of the hydrological functioning of the Mediterranean temporary ponds. Our study focuses on the Musella temporary pond located in Southern Corsica (France) which undergoes important man-induced and climatic pressures. During one full hydrological cycle, surface and groundwater levels, major ions, stable isotopes of the water molecules as well as field parameters (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen) have been measured every month.</p><p>Results bring information on the water quality, chemical stability and temporal evolution in terms of surface water level as well as potential connection with the underlying carbonated aquifer. The stable isotopes inform about the origin of water, its mixing processes with groundwater, and its evaporative status through time.</p><p>Flooding and drying processes of the Musella temporary pond are now better constrained and documented projections can now be set up towards the resilience of the hydrosystem considering the future consequences of climate change in the Mediterranean region.</p>

scholarly journals Rare plants of threatened habitats – the Croatian case of Corrigiola litoralis L. (Caryophyllaceae)

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Vuković ◽  
Vedran Šegota ◽  
Antun Alegro ◽  
Zorana Sedlar
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Rare Plants ◽  
Temporary Ponds ◽  
Temporary Pond ◽  
Floristic Survey ◽  
Mediterranean Temporary Ponds ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Threatened Habitats

AbstractCorrigiola litoralisis the only member of the genus in the Croatian flora. Most available data are more than 50 years old, and include only four localities in Croatia, exclusively in the islands of the Mediterranean region. During a floristic survey of the island of Molat (Northern Dalmatia) we recorded a small population in Zapuntelsko polje, in a damp, shallow depression, seasonally occurring as a temporary pond. Comparison with the existing literature shows thatC. litoralisoften occurs in Mediterranean temporary ponds and similar globally important and threatened habitats. We strongly believe that careful studies of populations ofC. litoralisand other species with similar ecologies are necessary in order to preserve these habitats and therefore propose actions to achieve this goal.

scholarly journals Assessing the conservation status of Mediterranean temporary ponds using biodiversity: a new tool for practitioners

Hydrobiologia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 782 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lumbreras ◽  
J. T. Marques ◽  
A. F. Belo ◽  
M. Cristo ◽  
M. Fernandes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Temporary Ponds ◽  
Mediterranean Temporary Ponds

scholarly journals Where we Come from and where to Go: Six Decades of Botanical Studies in the Mediterranean Wetlands, with Sardinia (Italy) as a Case Study

Wetlands ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alba Cuena-Lombraña ◽  
Mauro Fois ◽  
Annalena Cogoni ◽  
Gianluigi Bacchetta
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Temporary Ponds ◽  
Evolutionary Strategies ◽  
Plant Groups ◽  
Research Themes ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
Water Saturated

AbstractPlants are key elements of wetlands due to their evolutionary strategies for coping with life in a water-saturated environment, providing the basis for supporting nearly all wetland biota and habitat structure for other taxonomic groups. Sardinia, the second largest island of the Mediterranean Basin, hosts a great variety of wetlands, of which 16 are included in eight Ramsar sites. The 119 hydro- and hygrophilous vascular plant taxa from Sardinia represent the 42.6% and 37.9% of the number estimated for Italy and Europe, respectively. Moreover, around 30% of Sardinia’s bryological flora, which is made up of 498 taxa, is present in temporary ponds. An overview at regional scale considering algae is not available, to our knowledge, even though several specific studies have contributed to their knowledge. In order to find the most investigated research themes and wetland types, identify knowledge gaps and suggest recommendations for further research, we present a first attempt to outline the work that has been hitherto done on plants in lentic habitats in Sardinia. Three plant groups (algae, bryophytes and vascular plants), and five research themes (conservation, ecology, inventory, palaeobotany and taxonomy) were considered. After a literature review, we retained 202 papers published from 1960 to 2019. We found that studies on vascular plants, as plant group, were disproportionately more numerous, and inventories and ecology were the most investigated research themes. Although efforts have recently been made to fill these long-lasting gaps, there is a need for updating the existing information through innovative methods and integrative approaches.

Livestock disturbances in Mediterranean temporary ponds: A mesocosm experiment with sheep manure and simulated trampling

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 856-869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarten Van den Broeck ◽  
Laila Rhazi ◽  
Aline Waterkeyn ◽  
Mohammed El Madihi ◽  
Patrick Grillas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mesocosm Experiment ◽  
Temporary Ponds ◽  
Sheep Manure ◽  
Mediterranean Temporary Ponds

Direct and indirect impacts of wildfire on faunal communities of Mediterranean temporary ponds

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Cunillera-Montcusí ◽  
Stéphanie Gascón ◽  
Irene Tornero ◽  
Jordi Sala ◽  
Núria Àvila ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporary Ponds ◽  
Faunal Communities ◽  
Mediterranean Temporary Ponds ◽  
Direct And Indirect Impacts ◽  
Indirect Impacts

scholarly journals How will climate change modify river flow regimes in Europe?

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 325-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Schneider ◽  
C. L. R. Laizé ◽  
M. C. Acreman ◽  
M. Flörke
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Flow Regimes ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Climate Zone ◽  
Natural Flow ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Boreal Climate

Abstract. Worldwide, flow regimes are being modified by various anthropogenic impacts and climate change induces an additional risk. Rising temperatures, declining snow cover and changing precipitation patterns will interact differently at different locations. Consequently, in distinct climate zones, unequal consequences can be expected in matters of water stress, flood risk, water quality, and food security. In particular, river ecosystems and their vital ecosystem services will be compromised as their species richness and composition have evolved over long time under natural flow conditions. This study aims at evaluating the exclusive impacts of climate change on river flow regimes in Europe. Various flow characteristics are taken into consideration and diverse dynamics are identified for each distinct climate zone in Europe. In order to simulate present-day natural flow regimes and future flow regimes under climate change, the global hydrology model WaterGAP3 is applied. All calculations for current and future conditions (2050s) are carried out on a 5' × 5' European grid. To address uncertainty, bias-corrected climate forcing data of three different global climate models are used to drive WaterGAP3. Finally, the hydrological alterations of different flow characteristics are quantified by the Indicators of Hydrological Alteration approach. Results of our analysis indicate that on the European scale, climate change can be expected to modify flow regimes remarkably. This is especially the case in the Mediterranean (due to drier conditions with reduced precipitation across the year) and in the boreal climate zone (due to reduced snowmelt, increased precipitation, and strong temperature rises). In the temperate climate zone, impacts increase from oceanic to continental. Regarding single flow characteristics, strongest impacts on timing were found for the boreal climate zone. This applies for both high and low flows. Flow magnitudes, in turn, will be predominantly altered in the Mediterranean but also in the Northern climates. At the end of this study, typical future flow regimes under climate change are illustrated for each climate zone.

scholarly journals Mediterranean Precipitation Response to Greenhouse Gases and Aerosols

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Tang ◽  
Drew Shindell ◽  
Bjørn H. Samset ◽  
Oliviér Boucher ◽  
Piers M. Forster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Local Heating ◽  
Global Climate Models ◽  
Historical Period ◽  
Radiative Balance ◽  
Precipitation Decrease ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract. Atmospheric aerosols and greenhouse gases affect cloud properties, radiative balance and thus, the hydrological cycle. Observations show that precipitation has decreased in the Mediterranean since the 20th century, and many studies have investigated possible mechanisms. So far, however, the effects of aerosol forcing on Mediterranean precipitation remain largely unknown. Here we compare Mediterranean precipitation responses to individual forcing agents in a set of state-of-the-art global climate models (GCMs). Our analyses show that both greenhouse gases and aerosols can cause drying in the Mediterranean, and that precipitation is more sensitive to black carbon (BC) forcing than to well-mixed greenhouse gases (WMGHGs) or sulfate aerosol. In addition to local heating, BC appears to reduce precipitation by causing an enhanced positive North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)/Arctic Oscillation (AO)-like sea level pressure (SLP) pattern, characterized by higher SLP at mid-latitudes and lower SLP at high-latitudes. WMGHGs cause a similar SLP change, and both are associated with a northward diversion of the jet stream and storm tracks, reducing precipitation in the Mediterranean while increasing precipitation in Northern Europe. Though the applied forcings were much larger, if forcings are scaled to those of the historical period of 1901–2010, roughly one-third (31 ± 17 %) of the precipitation decrease would be attributable to global BC forcing with the remainder largely attributable to WMGHGs whereas global scattering sulfate aerosols have negligible impacts. The results from this study suggest that future BC emissions may significantly affect regional water resources, agricultural practices, ecosystems, and the economy in the Mediterranean region.

scholarly journals Long-term monitoring for the surveillance of the conservation status of Tursiops truncatus in an EU Natura2000 site in the Mediterranean Sea. A pilot study in the Tuscan Archipelago

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANTONELLA ARCANGELI ◽  
ROBERTO CROSTI ◽  
ILARIA CAMPANA ◽  
LARA CAROSSO ◽  
MARTINA GREGORIETTI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphin ◽  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Common Bottlenose Dolphin ◽  
The Mediterranean

A pilot study, using the dataset from the research network ‘FLT Med Net’, which regularly monitors transborder regions in the Mediterranean Sea using ferries as platform for systematic surveys, was undertaken to assess common bottlenose dolphin range and population trends within the Natura 2000 EU marine site “Tutela del Tursiops truncatus”. The site was recently designated by the Tuscany Region (Italy) within the requirement of the EU Habitats Directive. In order to evaluate the conservation status of bottlenose dolphin according to the surveillance scheme of the Directive, two six-year periods (2007-2012; 2013-2018) were compared to assess trends in distribution-occurrence (range); Sightings Per Unit of Effort and Density (population). In total, 18146 NM were surveyed along two fixed transects, recording 90 sightings of Tursiops truncatus and a total of 268 specimens. Between the two periods, slight but not statistically significant differences were assessed, with decreasing trend in range and population  of the species; no variation was detected in mean group sizes. Travelling was the most common behaviour, and juveniles were present in 20% of the sightings, concentrated during spring and summer. The consistent FLT Med Net dataset was found to be appropriate to evaluate important parameters for the assessment of trends in the conservation status of Tursiops truncatus at the Natura2000 site scale. 

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