Marina Tomás-Martín

Autonomous University of Madrid | UAM · Department of Ecology

Globally, 41% of amphibian species are threatened with extinction. Temporary ponds are crucial ecosystems for amphibian breeding where large predators are typically absent, therefore reducing the predation pressure on their larvae. Also, in these ecosystems large branchiopods (LB) proliferate, becoming a significant food source for several species....

Biodiversity loss and declining ecosystem functioning is spreading at alarming rates worldwide. In this context, pondscapes, including temporary ponds, have emerged as potential Nature-based Solutions that offer valuable ecosystem services and connect freshwater habitats as stepping-stone ecosystems. However, agricultural intensification and hydrol...

Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services (ESS) continues at alarming rates globally. In this context, pondscapes including temporary ponds have emerged as potential Nature-based Solutions which provide multiple ecosystem services and connect freshwater habitats. However, agricultural intensification and hydrological modifications have threatened...

Permanent ponds are valuable freshwater systems and biodiversity hotspots. They provide diverse ecosystem services (ES), including water quality improvement and supply, food provisioning and biodiversity support. Aquatic subsidies provide a high nutritional quality, energy density and nutrient concentration. Among those, emerging insects are rich i...

These are the results of the eLTER PLUS Transnational Access (TA) titled "Hydromophological, phisico-chemical and biological patterns of agricultural aquatic ecosystems (AGROAQ)" carried on Portugal. Here we share our results obtained on the studied ponds and troughs.

Temporary ponds are priority habitats for conservation under the Habitats Directive (code 3170), harbouring singular fauna and flora. Some of these emblematic species are large branchiopods, most of them rare and relict species considered flagship species of well-preserved temporary ponds , i.e., reflecting good conservation status (Brendonck et al...

Temporary ponds are priority habitats for conservation under the Habitats Directive, harbouring singular fauna and flora. Some of these emblematic species are large branchiopods, being some rare and relict species considered as ‘‘sentinels’’ in temporary ponds, i.e., reflecting good conservation status. In recent decades, the biodiversity of tempor...

Permanent ponds represent important habitats for aquatic biodiversity and provide vital ecosystem services as key elements for blue landscape connectivity. Although mostly neglected in management programmes, protection schemes and biodiversity studies in general, ponds constitute habitats with high α- and spatial β-diversity, providing unique habit...

Ponds, whilst being mostly neglected in management and protection plans, can constitute habitats with high α- and β-diversity, including many rare and endemic species. In heterogeneous landscapes, ponds can also contribute to habitat connectivity and enhance γ-diversity whilst delivering many ecosystem services. Semi-aquatic insects are one of the...

Whilst being small and shallow, permanent ponds provide valuable habitats for a multitude of organisms as well as provide habitats for animals like aquatic insects and others, including many rare species. These ponds, which were often neglected in limnological studies, were the core of our joint project, the 3rd freshwater project - EUROPONDS in or...

Within the EUROPONDS project we looked into the contribution of aquatic invertebrates to terrestrial ecosystems, which are globally declining, in various countries all over Europe. Our study encompassed a restored quarry in Alpedrete, Madrid, Spain, a landscape destined for livestock activities. We hypothesized that the emergence during autumn and...

Temporary ponds are widespread across the world harbouring a high aquatic biodiversity, including singular species that have developed strategies to survive pond desiccation. However, these waterbodies are highly vulnerable to external perturbations and have been destroyed or seriously damaged in the last decades. We selected a pond network that ha...

This poster was a contribution by Juan Rubio-Ríos and Encarnación Fenoy from EUROPONDS project to the online Symposium about "Researches in Experimental Sciences" ("IX Simposio de Investigación en Ciencias Experimentales") from University of Almería in Spain.