Waterfowl are vectors of nutrients, metals, and other pollutants (i.e. PCBs and microorganisms) o... more Waterfowl are vectors of nutrients, metals, and other pollutants (i.e. PCBs and microorganisms) on wetlands and other water bodies, especially when bird population density is high, e.g., in nesting, roosting or breeding periods. This work reports the effects caused by the increase in breeding pairs of herons and cormorants between 2010 and 2014 on sediments in an eutrophic Mediterranean wetland belonging to La Mancha Húmeda Biosphere Reserve. Nutrients, metals, metalloids, and isotopic composition (δ 15 N and δ 13 C) were analysed in sediments and faeces at several points in the Tablas de Daimiel National Park (TDNP), as well as in the nearby Navaseca wetland, which receives inputs from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Sediments from Navaseca and from one site that is affected by heron colonies (Garcera) in the TDNP showed higher concentrations of organic matter, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, Al, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni and Zn than the rest of the sampling sites. Significant correlations between these variables were found, probably suggesting that they have a common organic source. The highest δ 15 N values in sediments of the TDNP were registered in Guadiana, a site where there is no impact from colonies; these values might therefore be due to anthropogenic activities. Metal and metalloid content in sediments was lower than the regional reference values in soils, except for Se in the TDNP, and Zn and Cu in Navaseca. High Se level in TDNP sediment may be caused by seleniferous soils located upstream. Results showed a low impact of bird droppings compared to other sources of nutrients in the annual input in the TDNP.
A dynamic simulation model for freewater surface constructed wetlands was developed. • It allows ... more A dynamic simulation model for freewater surface constructed wetlands was developed. • It allows to assess the influence of flooding regime on the treatment efficiency. • Decreasing the flooded area in summer allows reducing pollutant concentrations. • Meteorological variability does not significantly affect the treatment efficiency. • The model can serve as a decisionsupport tool for treatment wetlands operation.
International Journal of Salt Lake Research, Sep 1, 1998
The changes in the trophic state in the Salada de Chiprana (north-eastern Spain) over two quite d... more The changes in the trophic state in the Salada de Chiprana (north-eastern Spain) over two quite different seasonal cycles (1989, 1994/95) were studied. During the former cycle, the lake was permanently stratified, and was biogenically meromictic, and in the latter, showed no apparent stratification. The main variables related to the physico-chemical changes observed can be attributed to the effect caused by the increase in the nutrient loading. The large amounts of nutrients (total-N and total-P) and organic matter are due to the use of the lake as a reservoir for water discharged from irrigation. Two remarkable effects of the change are the permanent mixing of the water column and the immobilization of phosphorus in the form of ionic species and solid phases that are not available to the biota especially primary producers (phytoplankton, periphyton, microbial mats). The results of the present study emphasize the fragility of (hyper) saline ecosystems to anthropogenic disturbances such as increases in freshwater inflow and nutrient inputs. Likewise, the study reveals the failure of conservation criteria that have been used to manage this lake, especially those which refer to the control of freshwater, nutrient-rich influents.
Máximo Florín Beltrán ecología, restauración y gestión de ecosistemas acuáticos, lagunas salinas,... more Máximo Florín Beltrán ecología, restauración y gestión de ecosistemas acuáticos, lagunas salinas, llanuras de inundación, producción primaria, humedales mediterráneos, creación de humedales artificiales, ríos, bonales, tapetes microbianos, embalses, especies invasoras El genial Mark Twain, que se crió y trabajó como navegante en el río Mississipi, y cuyos paisajes y cultura retrató magistralmente en sus obras, nos legó también la siguiente máxima: "Los hechos son cosas tozudas, pero las estadísticas son flexibles". A pesar de la sensibilidad del autor, cuesta creer que esta cuestión tuviera demasiada relevancia en su época, pero lo que está claro es que al menos tenía una tremenda carga profética acerca de la realidad del siglo XXI. Así, el pasado 10 de diciembre, la cobertura mediática paralela a la Cumbre del Clima incluía una noticia con un titular más que impactante, terrorífico, a saber "España ha perdido el 20 % de su agua en los últimos 25 años". Al mostrar la noticia a una colega francesa especialista en conflictos población medio ambiente, su pregunta malintencionada fue: ¿pero bueno, dónde se ha metido toda esa agua? Como la noticia no clarifica dónde se ha metido toda esa agua, no queda más remedio que averiguar de dónde ha salido ese dato. Así, parece que el 9 de noviembre de 2015 arribó a buen puerto el interesante informe "Los efectos del cambio climático sobre el agua en
Ver publ i cado Nueva versi ón (edi tar) i Agua Li kes 126 0 ♥ ♥ + Segui r 11 SEGUI DORES Sobre e... more Ver publ i cado Nueva versi ón (edi tar) i Agua Li kes 126 0 ♥ ♥ + Segui r 11 SEGUI DORES Sobre el bl og 87 M áxi m o Florí n Bel t rán ecol ogí a, restauraci ón y gesti ón de ecosi stem as acuáti cos, l agunas sal i nas,
Floodplains are among the most threatened ecosystems worldwide because of multiple stressors, i.e... more Floodplains are among the most threatened ecosystems worldwide because of multiple stressors, i.e., invasive species, pollution and aquifer overexploitation; the Tablas de Daimiel National Park (Spain) is a clear example of these kinds of impact. This work aims to test whether invasive fish and/or the water and sediment quality are significant drivers of the decline of stonewort (Chara spp.) meadows in the Tablas de Daimiel, investigating how this could explain changes observed in the waterbird community. Bird surveys performed monthly between June 2010 and April 2014 have shown that herbivorous species like the red-crested pochard (Netta rufina) reached historical records between September 2010 and June 2011, but have decreased since then. Piscivorous waterbirds like the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) and herons increased in population after 2011, however. These changes may be due to the decline of Chara spp. meadows, connected to overexploitation by herbivores, or to changes in water and sediment quality. To test this hypothesis, we studied the growth of Chara spp. biomass in ten sites of the Tablas de Daimiel, where experimental exclosures were set up to exclude herbivory by birds, and bioturbation and herbivory by fish. Our results have shown that the absence of Chara spp. in the Tablas de Daimiel is mostly explained by presence of invasive fish (i.e. common carp). Moreover, the
Abstract Relationships between morphological, physiographic, and hydrologic features of La Mancha... more Abstract Relationships between morphological, physiographic, and hydrologic features of La Mancha wetlands and their origin and functioning are studied. Wetlands size and density are primarily limited by drainage density, which is directly related to altitude. Broad genetic ...
Waterfowl are vectors of nutrients, metals, and other pollutants (i.e. PCBs and microorganisms) o... more Waterfowl are vectors of nutrients, metals, and other pollutants (i.e. PCBs and microorganisms) on wetlands and other water bodies, especially when bird population density is high, e.g., in nesting, roosting or breeding periods. This work reports the effects caused by the increase in breeding pairs of herons and cormorants between 2010 and 2014 on sediments in an eutrophic Mediterranean wetland belonging to La Mancha Húmeda Biosphere Reserve. Nutrients, metals, metalloids, and isotopic composition (δ 15 N and δ 13 C) were analysed in sediments and faeces at several points in the Tablas de Daimiel National Park (TDNP), as well as in the nearby Navaseca wetland, which receives inputs from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Sediments from Navaseca and from one site that is affected by heron colonies (Garcera) in the TDNP showed higher concentrations of organic matter, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, Al, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni and Zn than the rest of the sampling sites. Significant correlations between these variables were found, probably suggesting that they have a common organic source. The highest δ 15 N values in sediments of the TDNP were registered in Guadiana, a site where there is no impact from colonies; these values might therefore be due to anthropogenic activities. Metal and metalloid content in sediments was lower than the regional reference values in soils, except for Se in the TDNP, and Zn and Cu in Navaseca. High Se level in TDNP sediment may be caused by seleniferous soils located upstream. Results showed a low impact of bird droppings compared to other sources of nutrients in the annual input in the TDNP.
A dynamic simulation model for freewater surface constructed wetlands was developed. • It allows ... more A dynamic simulation model for freewater surface constructed wetlands was developed. • It allows to assess the influence of flooding regime on the treatment efficiency. • Decreasing the flooded area in summer allows reducing pollutant concentrations. • Meteorological variability does not significantly affect the treatment efficiency. • The model can serve as a decisionsupport tool for treatment wetlands operation.
International Journal of Salt Lake Research, Sep 1, 1998
The changes in the trophic state in the Salada de Chiprana (north-eastern Spain) over two quite d... more The changes in the trophic state in the Salada de Chiprana (north-eastern Spain) over two quite different seasonal cycles (1989, 1994/95) were studied. During the former cycle, the lake was permanently stratified, and was biogenically meromictic, and in the latter, showed no apparent stratification. The main variables related to the physico-chemical changes observed can be attributed to the effect caused by the increase in the nutrient loading. The large amounts of nutrients (total-N and total-P) and organic matter are due to the use of the lake as a reservoir for water discharged from irrigation. Two remarkable effects of the change are the permanent mixing of the water column and the immobilization of phosphorus in the form of ionic species and solid phases that are not available to the biota especially primary producers (phytoplankton, periphyton, microbial mats). The results of the present study emphasize the fragility of (hyper) saline ecosystems to anthropogenic disturbances such as increases in freshwater inflow and nutrient inputs. Likewise, the study reveals the failure of conservation criteria that have been used to manage this lake, especially those which refer to the control of freshwater, nutrient-rich influents.
Máximo Florín Beltrán ecología, restauración y gestión de ecosistemas acuáticos, lagunas salinas,... more Máximo Florín Beltrán ecología, restauración y gestión de ecosistemas acuáticos, lagunas salinas, llanuras de inundación, producción primaria, humedales mediterráneos, creación de humedales artificiales, ríos, bonales, tapetes microbianos, embalses, especies invasoras El genial Mark Twain, que se crió y trabajó como navegante en el río Mississipi, y cuyos paisajes y cultura retrató magistralmente en sus obras, nos legó también la siguiente máxima: "Los hechos son cosas tozudas, pero las estadísticas son flexibles". A pesar de la sensibilidad del autor, cuesta creer que esta cuestión tuviera demasiada relevancia en su época, pero lo que está claro es que al menos tenía una tremenda carga profética acerca de la realidad del siglo XXI. Así, el pasado 10 de diciembre, la cobertura mediática paralela a la Cumbre del Clima incluía una noticia con un titular más que impactante, terrorífico, a saber "España ha perdido el 20 % de su agua en los últimos 25 años". Al mostrar la noticia a una colega francesa especialista en conflictos población medio ambiente, su pregunta malintencionada fue: ¿pero bueno, dónde se ha metido toda esa agua? Como la noticia no clarifica dónde se ha metido toda esa agua, no queda más remedio que averiguar de dónde ha salido ese dato. Así, parece que el 9 de noviembre de 2015 arribó a buen puerto el interesante informe "Los efectos del cambio climático sobre el agua en
Ver publ i cado Nueva versi ón (edi tar) i Agua Li kes 126 0 ♥ ♥ + Segui r 11 SEGUI DORES Sobre e... more Ver publ i cado Nueva versi ón (edi tar) i Agua Li kes 126 0 ♥ ♥ + Segui r 11 SEGUI DORES Sobre el bl og 87 M áxi m o Florí n Bel t rán ecol ogí a, restauraci ón y gesti ón de ecosi stem as acuáti cos, l agunas sal i nas,
Floodplains are among the most threatened ecosystems worldwide because of multiple stressors, i.e... more Floodplains are among the most threatened ecosystems worldwide because of multiple stressors, i.e., invasive species, pollution and aquifer overexploitation; the Tablas de Daimiel National Park (Spain) is a clear example of these kinds of impact. This work aims to test whether invasive fish and/or the water and sediment quality are significant drivers of the decline of stonewort (Chara spp.) meadows in the Tablas de Daimiel, investigating how this could explain changes observed in the waterbird community. Bird surveys performed monthly between June 2010 and April 2014 have shown that herbivorous species like the red-crested pochard (Netta rufina) reached historical records between September 2010 and June 2011, but have decreased since then. Piscivorous waterbirds like the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) and herons increased in population after 2011, however. These changes may be due to the decline of Chara spp. meadows, connected to overexploitation by herbivores, or to changes in water and sediment quality. To test this hypothesis, we studied the growth of Chara spp. biomass in ten sites of the Tablas de Daimiel, where experimental exclosures were set up to exclude herbivory by birds, and bioturbation and herbivory by fish. Our results have shown that the absence of Chara spp. in the Tablas de Daimiel is mostly explained by presence of invasive fish (i.e. common carp). Moreover, the
Abstract Relationships between morphological, physiographic, and hydrologic features of La Mancha... more Abstract Relationships between morphological, physiographic, and hydrologic features of La Mancha wetlands and their origin and functioning are studied. Wetlands size and density are primarily limited by drainage density, which is directly related to altitude. Broad genetic ...
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