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

<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>

Elatine brochonii Clavaud (Elatinaceae), a new species to the portuguese flora. Elatine brochonii Clavaud (Elatinaceae), uma nova espécie para a flora portuguesa

Elatine brochonii Clavaud (Elatinaceae), uma nova espécie para a flora portuguesa Key words. Elatine brochonii, Elatinaceae, Mediterranean temporary ponds, chorology, Portugal. Palavras chave. Elatine brochonii, Elatinaceae, charcos temporários Mediterrânicos, corologia, Portugal

Assessment of the Geo-Environmental Status of European Union Priority Habitat Type “Mediterranean Temporary Ponds” in Mt. Oiti, Greece

Mediterranean Temporary Ponds (MTPs) constitute priority habitat under the European Union Habitats’ Directive. They are inhabited by rare species and subjected to unstable environmental conditions. Lakes and ponds act as early indicators of climate change, to which high altitude ecosystems are especially vulnerable. This study presents a full dataset of the geo-environmental parameters of such habitats (MTPs) along with their current ecological status for the first time. Furthermore, this paper aims to address the lack of basic geo-environmental background on the network of MTPs of Mt. Oiti concerning their geological, geomorphological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics along with the pressures received from various activities. The study area is located in a mountainous Natura 2000 site of Central Greece, which hosts four MTPs. Fieldwork and sampling of water and bottom sediments were carried out during dry and wet periods between 2012 and 2014. Electrical Resistivity Tomography measurements identified synforms shaped under the ponds that topography does not always adopt them, mostly due to erosion procedures. The most significant feature, distinguishing those pond waters from any other province water bodies is the extremely low content of all studied ions (including NO2−, NO3−, NH4+, PO43−, HCO3−, SO42−, Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Rb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, U, V, W, Zn, and Zr). MTPs water bodies are of bicarbonate dominant type, and a fresh meteoric water origin is suggested. The main pressures identified were grazing and trampling by vehicles. MTPs of Mt. Oiti were classified according to their ecological status form excellent to medium. Our results can contribute to a better understanding of the mountainous temporary ponds development in the Mediterranean environment.

How species colonize gaps after soil disturbance in temporary ponds? Implication of species traits

This work aims to review the existing theoretical literature and experiments on plant species colonising gaps after soil disturbance. It attempts to evaluate the various mechanisms by which plants regenerate among the soil openings within the Mediterranean temporary ponds. Intensity and frequency of disturbances are key factors in the response of communities. Knowing the specificity of plant strategies and the species assembly process is important for a better understanding of the impact of soil disturbance on the structure of temporary ponds community, and their mechanisms of resilience. Under the scope of these mechanisms, we will assess the contribution of seed bank by regrowth of buried seeds, vegetative propagules growth via clonal propagation and dispersion of propagules. Soil disturbance has a biotic effect on competition giving a chance to competitively inferior species.

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

Corrigiola 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.