Assessing the patterns of the invertebrate community in the marshes of Doñana National Park (SW Spain) in relation to environmental factors

Doñana National Park's marshes, a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, host a diverse invertebrate community shaped by environmental factors. The study identified 102 taxa, with cladocerans, ostracods, and dipteran insects dominating in abundance. Clear water patches, characterized by higher macrophyte cover and structural heterogeneity, supported richer and more diverse invertebrate assemblages compared to turbid patches. Environmental variables such as conductivity, soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), and chlorophyll-a concentration were key drivers of community structure. The research suggests that hydrologic connectivity and flood duration significantly influence invertebrate diversity, highlighting the importance of submerged macrophytes in marsh ecosystems.

Alcorlo, Paloma, Jiménez, Sara, Baltanás, Ángel, & Rico, Eugenio. (2014). Assessing the patterns of the invertebrate community in the marshes of Doñana National Park (SW Spain) in relation to environmental factors. Limnetica, (33), 189–204. https://doi.org/10.23818/limn.33.15