Mediterranean springs: Keystone ecosystems and biodiversity refugia threatened by global change
Autor/a
Fernández-Martínez, M.
Barquín, J.
Bonada, N.
Cantonati, M.
Churro, C.
Corbera, J.
Delgado, C.
Dulsat-Masvidal, M.
Garcia, G.
Margalef, O.
Pascual, R.
Peñuelas, J.
Sabater, F.
Seiler, H.
Zamora-Marín, J. M.
Romero, E.
Fecha de publicación
2023-11-08ISSN
1354-1013
Resumen
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.
Tipo de documento
Artículo
Versión del documento
Versión publicada
Lengua
English
Materias (CDU)
504 - Ciencias del medio ambiente
Páginas
22
Publicado por
Wiley
Publicado en
Global Change Biology
Citación
Fernández‐Martínez, M., J. Barquín, N. Bonada, M. Cantonati, C. Churro, J. Corbera, C. Delgado, et al. 2023. "Mediterranean springs: Keystone ecosystems and biodiversity refugia threatened by global change" Global Change Biology 30(1):1-22. doi:10.1111/gcb.16997.
Número del acuerdo de la subvención
MICIU/Programa Estatal de generación del conocimiento y fortalecimiento científico y tecnológico del sistema I+D+I/CEX2018-000828-S/ES/ /
EC/ERC/101076740/EU/Elemental Ecology: towards an element-based functional ecology/STOIKOS
MICINN/Programa Estatal para impulsar la investigación científico-técnica y su transferencia/PID2021-128778OA-I00/ES/Caracterización de los vínculos entre el ciclo del agua y los ciclos N-P-K en un mundo cada vez más cálido/KALORET
MICINN/ /RYC2021-031511-I/ES/ /
MICINN/ /FJC2021-046923-I/ES/ /
Program
Sostenibilitat en Biosistemes
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