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Multiple stressors in Mediterranean freshwater ecosystems: The Llobregat River as a paradigm

Hydrological modifications drive other ecological stressors of freshwater ecosystems and interact with them. The present paper examines the relevance of hydrological disturbances resulting from global change by presenting the case of the Llobregat River, a highly disturbed system in NE Spain. The Llobregat is a clear example of a Mediterranean river suffering from multiple stressors. Both the distribution and abundance of organisms and ecosystem functioning as a whole are greatly determined by water scarcity, water salinity, nutrient concentration, and organic (and inorganic) pollution. Structural drought exacerbates these problems, as the capacity to dilute pollutants is compromised. Controlling water abstraction and limiting nutrient and pollutant inputs downstream are essential to the structural and functional recovery of biological communities and to maximizing the ecosystem services provided by the Llobregat River

This work has received a grant from the European Community 7th Framework Programme under grant agreement No. 603629-ENV-2013-6.2.1-Globaqua

Institut d’Estudis Catalans. Secció de Ciències Biològiques i de Ciència i Tecnologia

Author: Sabater, Sergi
Muñoz Gràcia, Isabel
García-Berthou, Emili
Barceló i Cullerés, Damià
Abstract: Hydrological modifications drive other ecological stressors of freshwater ecosystems and interact with them. The present paper examines the relevance of hydrological disturbances resulting from global change by presenting the case of the Llobregat River, a highly disturbed system in NE Spain. The Llobregat is a clear example of a Mediterranean river suffering from multiple stressors. Both the distribution and abundance of organisms and ecosystem functioning as a whole are greatly determined by water scarcity, water salinity, nutrient concentration, and organic (and inorganic) pollution. Structural drought exacerbates these problems, as the capacity to dilute pollutants is compromised. Controlling water abstraction and limiting nutrient and pollutant inputs downstream are essential to the structural and functional recovery of biological communities and to maximizing the ecosystem services provided by the Llobregat River
This work has received a grant from the European Community 7th Framework Programme under grant agreement No. 603629-ENV-2013-6.2.1-Globaqua
Document access: http://hdl.handle.net/2072/297408
Language: eng
Publisher: Institut d’Estudis Catalans. Secció de Ciències Biològiques i de Ciència i Tecnologia
Rights: Reconeixement-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 3.0 Espanya
Rights URI: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/es/deed.ca
Subject: Ecologia d’aigua dolça -- Catalunya -- Llobregat (Curs d’aigua)
Freshwater ecology -- Catalonia -- Llobregat (River)
Llobregat (Catalunya : Curs d’aigua) -- Aspectes ambientals
Llobregat (Catalonia : River) -- Environmental aspects
Contaminants orgànics de l’aigua -- Catalunya -- Llobregat (Curs d’aigua)
Organic water pollutants -- Catalonia -- Llobregat (River)
Title: Multiple stressors in Mediterranean freshwater ecosystems: The Llobregat River as a paradigm
Type: info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Repository: Recercat

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