Impacts of the 2024 flash flood on water quality, pathogenic bacteria and organic contaminant risks in the Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain).

ABSTRACT Capsule Wetlands and lagoons of the Mediterranean region are important wintering areas for some species of raptors that breed in Europe. Aims We report the abundance, density and habitat choice of raptors wintering in coastal wetlands, lagoons and surrounding habitats of western Greece. Methods Data were collected during roadside surveys. Species abundance was calculated with the kilometric abundance index, while densities were estimated through density surface models. Results Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus and Common Buzzards Buteo buteo were the most abundant raptors recorded, with the former mostly detected in wetlands and the latter on arable land. Nearly all wintering Marsh Harriers were adult females and immatures. Few Kestrels Falco tinnunculus were detected. A flock of 28 Greater Spotted Eagles Clanga clanga was observed roosting at the Amvrakikos gulf. Conclusion Marsh Harriers and Common Buzzards were the most abundant wintering raptors recorded in Greek coastal wetlands. Few records of Kestrels are consistent with previous suggestions of interspecific competition with Common Buzzards, combined with the greater ability of Common Buzzards to cross water barriers, which may influence their relative wintering distribution in the Mediterranean basin. The importance of Greek coastal wetlands was confirmed as one of the most important wintering areas for the Greater Spotted Eagles in the Mediterranean Basin.

Rangeland degradation poses a serious challenge for the sustainable management of free-ranging livestock in Mediterranean wetlands. In Doñana National Park, Spain, the endangered Marismeño horse depends exclusively on natural forage, making it essential to monitor vegetation productivity and grazing suitability under increasing climate variability. This study presents a satellite-based assessment of rangeland carrying capacity to support the adaptive management of this iconic breed. A six-year time series (2015-2020) of 1242 images from Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS and Sentinel-2 (L1C/L2A) was processed using ILWIS and Python-based workflows to derive vegetation indices (GNDVI, NDMI) and model aboveground biomass, forage energy, and grazing pressure across five grazing units. Results revealed strong seasonal cycles, with biomass and nutritive value peaking in spring and declining sharply in summer. Ecotonal zones such as La Vera y Sotos acted as crucial refuges during drought-induced resource shortages. The harmonized multi-sensor approach demonstrated high reliability for mapping forage dynamics and assessing carrying capacity at fine scales. This remote sensing framework offers an effective, scalable tool for sustainable livestock management in Doñana, directly supporting biodiversity conservation and the long-term resilience of Mediterranean rangeland ecosystems.

ABSTRACT Mediterranean wetlands are one of Europe's most vital and endangered biodiversity hotspots. This study determined the carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) isotope values of modern plants to construct an isotopic framework by which to contextualize agropastoral management in and around past wetland ecosystems. Dispilio is a Neolithic site (5700–3600 cal bce ) on the shore of Lake Kastoria, western Greek Macedonia, where ongoing studies are exploring the nature and scale of livestock management and its implications for understanding how early farming communities adapted to wetland and upland ecosystems. In order better to interpret the stable isotope values of faunal bone collagen from the site in terms of animal diet, habitat use, and feeding strategies, this study examines the carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition of 126 wild plants from 12 localities within the Dispilio catchment area and one proxy location on neighboring Lake Prespa. The plants were collected at the end of the wet season across different habitat types, and the influence of precipitation and altitude was considered. The results indicate a high variability of plant carbon and nitrogen isotope values in the environment. The δ 13 C values differ amongst life forms (trees/shrubs, grasses, and herbs) with implications for distinguishing the feeding habits and anthropogenic management of domestic grazers and browsers. Furthermore, δ 15 N values of terrestrial and wetland habitats differ significantly, demonstrating the potential to distinguish isotopically between the use of these landscapes in the past. This study will serve as the first stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic framework for agropastoral, palaeodietary, and palaeoecological studies in northern Greece.

Arundo donax L. (common reed), a highly invasive species in Mediterranean wetlands such as the Albufera Natural Park, poses significant ecological and management challenges. Using Landsat-5 and Sentinel-2 NDVI data, this study quantified changes in its coverage between 1996 and 2024. The results reveal a significant expansion, showing a decreasing trend (91.4 ha in 1996 to 62.5 ha in 2011; −31.6%) followed by a clear rebound (83.5 ha in 2024; +33.6%), especially in the southern shrublands of the lagoon. A Mann–Kendall analysis confirmed a significant decreasing trend during 1996–2011 and an increasing trend during 2011–2024 (p < 0.05). The results indicate that previous control efforts reduced A. donax cover but that the species has recolonised after 2011, likely due to discontinuous management. These dynamics emphasise that long-term monitoring is required. Management strategies must focus on targeting the rhizome and implementing long-term monitoring programmes spanning three to five years. The utilisation of remote sensing methodologies proved effective in the monitoring of coverage, thereby facilitating the development of remediation strategies. It is imperative that actions accord primacy to critical areas such as the south and canals, complemented by native restoration and enhanced inter-administrative coordination, with the communication of benefits such as flood risk reduction. A balanced approach is required that considers ecological objectives, risks, and socio-political aspects.

Correction to “Recent eel decline in a large Mediterranean wetland”

Influence of conventional and organic rice farming on aquatic biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions in a protected Mediterranean wetland

Thinking big! Landscape-scale evaluation of pesticide pollution and ecological risks in a protected mediterranean wetland.

Although wetlands are key habitats for biodiversity conservation, they are also among the most threatened ecosystems in the world. They are mainly affected by human pressures and threats, even when they are included in protected areas. The Padule di Fucecchio area is one of the largest and most significant inland marshes in Italy. It is also a wetland of international importance, as defined by the Ramsar Convention. However, studies of the plant communities it contains are surprisingly scarce and out of date. To address this issue, a phytosociological survey of aquatic and marshy vegetation was conducted. This analysis provided an unparalleled census of the area’s current aquatic and marsh vegetation. Eight different plant community types were reported in the former category and twenty-six in the latter, many of which were previously unknown in this territory. One of these is entirely novel and is described here for the first time. However, a comparison with previous data revealed that significant changes to the vegetation structure have occurred in recent decades. The hydrophyte communities have almost completely disappeared and many of the most sensitive plants in the most sensitive marsh communities have become rarer or disappeared. They have mostly been replaced by more resilient native plants and invasive alien species.

The Mediterranean basin is a global hotspot for biodiversity, and wetlands are particularly recognized for their role in this hotspot. Moroccan wetlands, which are part of the broader Mediterranean system, provide habitats for endemic, threatened, and migratory species. Despite their recognized importance and the protection of several Moroccan wetlands, natural wetlands continue to be converted into agricultural lands and urban areas.They are facing anthropogenic pressures and losses in area and quality. Although these transformations have occurred, wetlands located in or near urban areas still harbor remarkable avian biodiversity. In this study, we compared the ornithological composition of urban Mediterranean wetlands, Oued Martil and Oued El Maleh (Tetouan, Northern Morocco), with the Ramsar site Merja Zerga, a classified and a protected wetland. The results show that the urban wetlands and the Ramsar site have in common 66% of families and 43% of species, including several species with significant conservation statuses. In the same way, waterbird species richness was comparable across unprotected and protected coastal wetlands. Likewise, urban wetlands of Oued Martil and Oued El Maleh, as well as the Ramsar site, support the same remarkable, heritage and IUCN- listed species. On the other hand, avian species richness was lower in urban wetlands of the Oued Martil and Oued El Maleh compared to the Ramsar site. In particular, fewer passerine were recorded, and the number of wader species was approximately two times lower in urban wetlands. These results suggest that urban wetlands can support rich and diverse bird populations and need to be protected and integrated into conservation efforts. However, they may also reflect signs of habitat degradation or reduced availability of key resources for bird species. More studies on phenology and long-term monitoring are essential to better understand the ecological significance of urban wetlands in Morocco and across the Mediterranean region.

A sedimentary sequence of length about 420 cm was extracted from the alder-peatland of Nechaa Righia in north-eastern Algeria’s El Kala wetland complex, to clarify the relationship between past and present vegetation and understand climatic and ecological changes over the past two millennia in this key Mediterranean wetland. The pollen diagram, supported by A.M.S. radiocarbon dates, reveals a predominance of hygrophilous and aquatic taxa like Alnus , Cyperaceae and Juncaceae, indicating a wet environment. Regional vegetation includes mesophilic taxa such as Quercus , Erica arborea and Myrtus , suggesting a mixed landscape. Herbaceous taxa like Poaceae, Apiaceae and Fabaceae further illustrate the area’s variety of plants. Indicators of anthropogenic activity such as Olea , Vitis or Pistacia highlight human impact on the landscape. Around 1890 ± 40 BP, during the Medieval Warm Period, the region featured cork oak forests and mesophilic vegetation consistent with the warmer climate conditions noted in other Mediterranean studies. This vegetation persisted through the Little Ice Age, characterised by cooler conditions, and remains today. Significant human activity began around 1275 ± 50 BP when Yemenites introduced new agricultural practices, supplanting Roman civilisation. Their cultivation of cereals and Olea species significantly shaped the vegetation landscape. These findings align with similar climatic variations reported in the Northern Hemisphere and in the Mediterranean region.

The rising incidence of arboviral diseases poses a public health challenge worldwide. However, local-scale interactions among vectors, hosts, and the environment remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed historical, multi-source data to assess pathogen transmission risk in a Mediterranean wetland of Northeastern Spain, examining mosquito vectors, avian hosts for West Nile virus (WNV), and human hosts for dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Mosquito activity peaked between June and October. Aedes albopictus was predominant in urban areas, whereas Culex species were more prevalent in rural and natural environments. The relative abundance of passeriform and columbiform bird species influenced potential amplification and dilution phenomena in the WNV enzootic cycle. We developed a spatial risk index for WNV transmission by integrating vector abundance and avian community composition. High-risk areas were identified near urban edges, particularly adjacent to rice fields and wetlands where mosquitoes and reservoir hosts overlapped. For dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, the highest transmission risk was observed in late summer, coinciding with the phenological peak of Aedes albopictus and the importation of cases from endemic regions. Collectively, these findings highlight the value of fine-scale ecological indicators for guiding targeted mosquito surveillance and control strategies to effectively reduce the risk of arboviral transmission in vulnerable Mediterranean regions.

Abstract Waterbirds are key agents of passive dispersal for aquatic invertebrates, particularly through internal transport of their propagules. In this study, we assessed the potential dispersal of invertebrates through endozoochory by two Anatidae species, the mallard and the common shelduck, in Albufera de Valencia Natural Park. We aimed at comparing the hatching success of invertebrate propagules egested by both ducks, under two temperatures, simulating cold (15 °C) and warm (25 °C) conditions. We performed a controlled hatching experiment using faecal samples (30 per species) collected from the roosting areas of both ducks. A total of 34 invertebrate taxa hatched, including rotifers, cladocerans, copepods, ostracods, ciliates, and microturbellarians. Species richness and hatching rates were higher under warm conditions, and shelduck samples showed more diverse assemblages than mallards. Five of the detected taxa are considered invasive non-native to the region. Some of the rotifer and ostracod species found, as well as microturbellarians, represent first records of internal dispersal by waterbirds. Our findings suggest that temperature can influence hatching success and may shape the community composition of colonizing organisms through endozoochory. Moreover, Anatidae can be effective vectors for aquatic invertebrates, including non-native species, with potential implications for metacommunity dynamics and invasions in Mediterranean wetlands.

A semi-empirical method for estimating actual evapotranspiration (ETa) based on ancillary and NDVI data, named NDVI-Cws, is currently being refined for improved applicability to wetlands. The investigation, in particular, addresses the case of semi-natural ecosystems where the impact of meteorological water stress (WS) is limited by groundwater resources. To adapt to this situation, the application of the NDVI-Cws method is preceded by a calibration phase based on spatially enhanced Land Surface Analysis Satellite Application Facility (LSA SAF) evapotranspiration products. This calibration is currently performed in the main wetlands of Tuscany (Central Italy) identified in the Ramsar Convention. The calibrated NDVI-Cws version is then applied to all regional Ramsar areas, yielding outputs that are first examined all over Tuscany. Next, the model estimates are quantitatively assessed versus ETa observations taken in a forest and a grassland Ramsar site. The results of these independent tests show the improvement achieved by the calibration phase with respect to the original model version. This supports the potential of the refined NDVI-Cws method to yield reasonably accurate daily ETa estimates for wetlands at a spatial resolution that is mainly dependent on the NDVI data used.

Understanding the impact of climate change on waterbirds, particularly those of conservation concern, is essential for their long-term management and effective conservation. In arid regions such as North Africa, wetlands of international importance have been affected by severe drought events, but their impact on waterbirds is still not well understood. Here, we assess the population dynamics of four emblematic resident species (Aythya nyroca, Marmaronetta angustirostris, Oxyura leucocephala, and Porphyrio porphyrio porphyrio) in a North African Ramsar site (Garaet Hadj Tahar marsh, Northeast Algeria), and determine the climatic variables (temperature, precipitation, and drought index) that best predict the change in abundance in wintering and breeding seasons. We used a long-term survey of regular counts during the wintering and breeding seasons of 2002–2019. The temporal trend of waterbird abundance differed between species and seasons. Species showed different sensitivities to different climatic variables at different time windows preceding the wintering and breeding seasons. We found that the population dynamics of the endangered O. leucocephala in the wintering and breeding seasons were best predicted with the drought index, whereas those of P. p. porphyrio were best correlated with maximum temperature. Population dynamics during the wintering and breeding season of the two other species were best explained with either maximum temperature, precipitation, average temperature, or drought. Species responded differently to warming and drought. The most endangered species (O. leucocephala) showed population declines in drier years, whereas less threatened species (A. nyroca, M. angustirostris, and P. p. porphyrio) exhibited either positive or negative correlations. The observed temporal increase in vegetation cover was positively correlated with the wintering population size of O. leucocephala, as well as the breeding population size of P. p. porphyrio and M. angustirostris. These findings highlight the urgent need for climate-adaptive conservation strategies to sustain wetland biodiversity and ecosystem resilience in the face of increasing climate stressors, aligning with the global sustainability goals for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management. Our results suggest that future increases in temperatures and drought severity might threaten endangered waterbirds and benefit more common species in the region.

The city of Venice as well as other inhabited islands are located at the centre of the largest lagoon of the Mediterranean region and one of its few tidal systems (CNV, 2016). Since the 16th and 17th Centuries the largest rivers were deviated from the lagoon to flow directly to the Adriatic Sea to reverse the trend of the lagoon silting up, turning it into a net sediment-deficit ecosystem (CNV, 2016). Furthermore, current economic activities mainly linked to maintaining port access for larger ships and protecting the city from the increasing frequency of flooding (the MOSE mobile barriers) challenge the physical and ecological stability of the lagoon system. In 2023 We are here Venice (WahV) and DEME, through its Italian Branch SIDRA, started a collaboration to develop techniques for the optimization and acceleration of the infill re-naturalisation and greater resilience of the Venice lagoon ecosystem. This collaboration is also assessing new approaches to determining the added natural, social and economic value generated by ecosystem restoration in practice, with specific attention to Venice’s wetlands as a representative example of Mediterranean wetland ecosystems. One site in particular has already yielded interesting results that will be described here.

This study examines the seasonal variability of greenhousegas(GHG) emissions from wetland sediments in the Iberian Peninsula inrelation to water levels. It included coastal marshes, inland freshwater,and inland saline wetlands, three typical regional types. GHG fluxespeaked in coastal wetlands and were lowest in saline ones. Flux variationswere driven by water depth, salinity, and sediment aeration. CO2 emissions peaked in dry zones and declined with water depth,while CH4 fluxes were more variable in waterlogged transitionzones, particularly in coastal wetlands during spring and summer.CH4 emissions were lower in well-aerated, less-floodedareas and highest in shallowly flooded zones, where even a thin waterlayer restricts gas exchange, limiting oxygen and maintaining anaerobicconditions for methanogenesis. However, the lack of a deep-water columnprevented methane oxidation, allowing diffusion into the atmosphere.Seasonal variation was higher in saline wetlands due to drought, whilepatterns in freshwater and coastal wetlands remained spatially morestable. Understanding these gradients is crucial for accurately modelinggas exchanges and assessing their role in climate change mitigationand adaptation. As interest in wetland carbon dynamics increases,integrating this modeling into management is vital to support restorationand long-term wetland sustainability.

Plastic exposure risk for costal seabirds varies seasonally with freshwater runoff.

Recent research has assessed public perceptions of Mediterranean rivers, but there are limited investigations into the public perceptions of Mediterranean wetlands, especially in urbanized spaces like peri-urban parks. This study addresses this gap by assessing public perceptions across different sociodemographic groups for their level of awareness of different ecosystem services in a peri-urban park located in the Mediterranean region of Catalonia, Spain. Parc del Falgar is the site of a fluvial restoration project aimed at improving water quality by retaining and transforming nutrients through the park’s nature-based solution. A two-part survey was organized using a 5-level Likert scale, and a multiple-choice sociodemographic questionnaire followed by semi-structured interviews with local actors. Regression models and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze the gathered data and evaluate differences between groups, incorporating Bonferroni adjustments to account for multiple comparisons. The findings revealed that age significantly affects perceptions of the park’s ecosystem services, resulting in a greater awareness of the park’s biodiversity and wetland restoration. Visitors living closer to nature and those with higher incomes were more aware of the park’s cultural ecosystem services including recreational and leisure activities. Through interviews with local actors, this study discusses the juxtaposition of traditional environmental learning with modern digital technology for ecosystem service awareness and highlights different learning preferences across social groups for the uptake of ecosystem service awareness. Management proposals from interviewees stress involving scientific and non-scientific experts to capture the full range of the park’s ecosystem services.

Correction to “Recent Eel Decline in a Large Mediterranean Wetland”