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A project led by the UVic-UCC produces an inventory of Catalonia's temporary lakes

temporary lake

A project led by the UVic-UCC produces an inventory of Catalonia's temporary lakes

Mediterranean temporary lakes are ecosystems that are very characteristic of Catalonia, and have periods of flooding (in winter and spring) alternate with dry periods (in summer and early autumn). They are inhabited by very unusual species that have adapted to these conditions, but they are also habitats that are very suitable for other groups that need areas of water throughout the year to reproduce or to find plenty of food, such as amphibians and insects, as well as semi-aquatic and terrestrial species. This means that the biodiversity of these environments is very important, which is why they are considered priority habitats for conservation at a European level.

The Aquatic Ecology research group (GEA) at the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC) has recently launched a project to carry out an inventory of Catalonia's various temporary lakes. This exhaustive compilation of information on these ecosystems is being carried out for the first time, although they have been the focus of some studies in recent years.

Information on biodiversity and the state of conservation

Apart from creating a database of all the lakes in Catalonia, the project aims to gather information about their biodiversity and state of conservation. The data obtained will be particularly useful for studying the vulnerability of these ecosystems as a result of climate change and the consequent variation in rainfall levels that is expected in the Mediterranean region, where more intense periods of drought and an increase in the number of episodes of torrential rain are anticipated.

This inventory will include the temporary lakes known as the Platja d’Espolla in the Pla de l'Estany region, the temporary lakes in the Albera massif, and those on the Lleida Plain. However, it will also include other less well-known lakes, for which less information is available, such as those in the Baix Ebre region and Central Catalonia.

Nucleus of a future Observatory of Temporary Mediterranean Lakes

The project is being led by the researchers Sandra Brucet, an ICREA research lecturer, and Anna Badosa, who are both members of the Aquatic Ecology research group. It is also supported by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition, and specialists from the University of Girona are working on the project. The database will be public, and provide free access in web format, and will lay the foundations for a future Observatory of Temporary Mediterranean Lakes in Catalonia. This institution aims to bring together more researchers and its objective will be to study these ecosystems, increase knowledge of them and ensure their conservation.

The database is currently in the testing phase, and its launch is anticipated after the summer. The project also includes two other initiatives: the restoration of a temporary Mediterranean lake in the Cap de Creus Natural Park, and the production of an educational video to raise awareness and increase public knowledge of the importance of these vulnerable ecosystems.

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