Implications of Anthropic Activities in the Catchment Area of a Temporary Mediterranean Wetland Complex in the South of Spain

Jesús de-los-Ríos-Mérida (), Francisco Guerrero, Salvador Arijo, María Muñoz, Juan Diego Gilbert, Inmaculada Álvarez-Manzaneda and Andreas Reul ()
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Jesús de-los-Ríos-Mérida: Ecology and Geology Department, University of Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Francisco Guerrero: Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Jaén, Campus de Las Lagunillas, s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain
Salvador Arijo: Microbiology Department, University of Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain
María Muñoz: Ecology and Geology Department, University of Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Juan Diego Gilbert: Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Jaén, Campus de Las Lagunillas, s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain
Inmaculada Álvarez-Manzaneda: Ecology Department, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva, s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
Andreas Reul: Ecology and Geology Department, University of Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-14

Abstract: The Lagunas de Campillos Natural Reserve and adjacent ponds are fundamentally surrounded by regularly fertilized crop fields and livestock industry, producing leachates which can be found in the ponds. The interest in this Site of European Importance and the RAMSAR wetland complex lies in the habitats within it, which are included in the Directive on Habitats of Community Interest. It is essential to determine the trophic status of the ponds and the quality of these habitats, as well as whether corrective measures need to be established in order to maintain a good environmental status. To characterize and compare the ponds, different parameters were measured, such as conductivity, pH, nutrient concentration, Chl-a concentration, phytoplankton composition, phytoplankton abundance (<20 µm), and the quantification of heterotrophic microorganisms indicating contamination of the aquifers. The obtained results showed that all ponds, except a mesotrophic pond, are eutrophic or even hypertrophic, with high levels of total nitrogen (>8 mg L −1 ), total phosphorous (>165 μg L −1 ), and chlorophyll-a concentration. These findings explain the high densities of phytoplankton observed, with the predominant presence of small cells (<3.6 μm ESD). In addition, concentrations of heterotrophs and coliforms are, in some ponds, higher than expected. Eutrophication hinders ecological functions and ecosystem services, which finally affects biodiversity and human wellbeing. Five of the six analyzed ponds are within various protection figures for their essential importance to local and migrating avifauna. Therefore, ponds’ status analysis and the implementation of measures for maintaining ecosystem services and trophic state are fundamental for the sustainable management of the studied area.

Keywords: eutrophication; Mediterranean wetlands; land uses; spatial scales; anthropocene; trophic status (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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