Poster Details
CONTRIBUTION OF THE DISCONNECTED POOLS AS REFUGE AND CONSERVANCY IN IRES
Mosaics of lotic, lentic and terrestrial habitats in IRES have been recognized as a complex and dynamic system that vary in time and space. These conditions provoke perturbations in the flow regime reducing the availability of mesohabitats and a drastic loss of biodiversity. In case of the lentic condition (disconnected pools) in IRES, limited attention is focus in conservancy program. Here we present a study in a Mediterranean Intermittent River of south-central Chile focused to examine the lotic taxa present in pools when the river was fragmented or completed dry. Statistical variations were observed in richness, abundance and diversity (alpha and beta) in isolated pools, in contrast to the perennial and intermittent condition. Similarly, the physicochemical variables were distinguished to dissolved oxygen, suspended solids and conductivity. Instead, high abundance of gastropods, annelids, ostracods, copepods, and branchiopods with exclusive presence of decapods and bivalves were recognized in isolated pools. Hence, the ponding phase in IRES contributes as refuge and provides habitat for newly colonizing and dispersing taxa, serving as an important habitat for conservancy of aquatic invertebrates with low capability to migrate under harsh climate conditions.
Isis Yelena Montes (Primary Presenter/Author), National Autonomous University of Honduras, imontes@udec.cl;