Alpine pond biodiversity: what are the related environmental variables?

Article Article scientifique Article Alpine pond biodiversity: what are the related environmental variables? eng 2005 author Hinden Hélène 510266 author Oertli Beat 23413 author Menetrey Perrottet Nathalie 134593 author Sager Lionel 103687 author Lachavanne Jean-Bernard 24745 613-624 10.1002/aqc.751 1052-7613 The aim of this study was to identify the environmental variables correlated with biodiversity in alpine ponds. Twenty alpine ponds in Switzerland were chosen to examine the relationship between the species (or family) richness of five biological groups and a selection of eight environmental variables. Altitude, pH, conductivity, macrophyte presence, fish presence and trophic state, showed significant relationships with the diversity of at least one biological group. On the other hand, pond area and depth demonstrated no significant correlations with biodiversity. Most highlighted relationships between biodiversity and environmental variables were different from those seen in lowland ponds, reflecting the distinctive nature of alpine water bodies. The results of the study suggest that there is a need to establish specific biodiversity evaluation tools for alpine ponds, which differ from those already used for lowland ponds. Small water bodies Altitude Species richness Environmental variables Zoobenthos Macrophytes Amphibians Dewey 333.7-333.9 Dewey 550 Dewey 599.9 18 Institut des sciences de l'environnement 0DB 41 Département F.-A. Forel des sciences de l'environnement et de l'eau 153 140 Département d'anthropologie et écologie 164 false Aquatic Conservation 15 6 abb8c9ad-425a-4fbc-8bb8-d3a0530bb9c5 Article (Published version) Restricted Hinden_et_al-2005-Aquatic_Conservation__Marine_and_Freshwater_Ecosystems.pdf 144576 application/pdf restrictedAccess Centres et instituts / Institut des sciences de l'environnement Faculté des sciences / Section des sciences de la Terre et de l'Environnement / Département F.-A. Forel des sciences de l'environnement et de l'eau Faculté des sciences / Section de biologie / Département d'anthropologie et écologie

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Alpine pond biodiversity: what are the related environmental variables?	Aquatic Conservation			2005	569	0

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Hinden, Hélène