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Selection of (bio) indicators to assess effects of freshwater use in wetlands: a case study of s’Albufera de Mallorca, Spain

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Abstract

Parc Natural s’Albufera de Mallorca is an internationally recognised resting area for a wide array of migratory birds, and like most wetlands it has many other ecological functions and socio-economic values. In the catchment, in which the wetland is situated, expanding tourism and intensification of agriculture place much pressure on a limited amount of freshwater. The freshwater supply to the wetland decreased due to water-extraction mainly driven by intensification of agriculture in the catchment. As a result saltwater intrusion increased since 1983–1985. This had considerable impacts on the ecological integrity of the wetland as reflected by changes in the state of the aquatic ecosystem. The distribution of submerged plants, less tolerant of salinity, declined or disappeared, while the distribution of species, known to prefer high salinity increased. As a contribution to the development of monitoring programs and management strategies that address both socio-economic and natural water demand, this article will formulate ecological criteria to assess the natural water demand by selection of (bio)indicators within the aquatic ecosystem.

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Acknowledgements

The data in this article are largely based on fieldwork carried out by Veraart (1999) in spring/summer 1999. The authors would like to thank the staff of s’Albufera Parc Natural, The Albufera International Biodiversity Group, the Geography Department (Dr. M. Blazquez) and Limnology Department (Prof. Dr. Antoni Martinez and Prof. Dr. G. Moya) and the Department of Marine Sciences and Coastal Management of the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (Miss E. Whittingham).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Climate Change and Biosphere Research Centre, Wageningen UR, p.o Alterra b.v., P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA , Wageningen, the Netherlands

    J. A. Veraart

  2. Environmental Systems Analysis Group, Wageningen University

    R. S. de Groot

  3. The Albufera International Biodiversity Group (TAIB), Parc Natural s’Albufera de Mallorca

    G. Perelló & N. J. Riddiford

  4. Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University

    R. Roijackers

Authors
  1. J. A. Veraart
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  2. R. S. de Groot
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  3. G. Perelló
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  4. N. J. Riddiford
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  5. R. Roijackers
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Correspondence to J. A. Veraart.

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Veraart, J.A., de Groot, R.S., Perelló, G. et al. Selection of (bio) indicators to assess effects of freshwater use in wetlands: a case study of s’Albufera de Mallorca, Spain. Reg Environ Change 4, 107–117 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-004-0070-2

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