The effect of distinct hydrologic conditions on the zooplankton community in an estuary under mediterranean climate influence

Petra Muha, Teja; Chícharo, Luís; Morais, P.; Pereira, Rita; Ben-Hamadou, Radhouan; Cruz, Joana; Teodosio, Maria

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/5030

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Authors

Ben-Hamadou, Radhouan

Cruz, Joana

Teodosio, Maria

Abstract(s)

Several studies have documented effects of hydrological conditions influencing fish and benthonic communities in estuaries and coastal areas, but only few evidences of freshwater discharge on zooplankton assemblages are found. The major finding of our study in an estuary under climate variability with regulated flow by dams is that increased annual flow leads to an increase in abundance and diversity of zooplankton and decrease of jellyfish blooms. This offers suitable nursery conditions with positive consequences on the food-web functioning. The ecohydrological approach of dual regulation could be useful with controlling the timing, frequency and volume of freshwater inflow by altering dams' operational efficiency, leading to healthy functional environment and optimize adaptability to climatic changes.

Keywords

Ecohydrology Ecological indicators Dam Northern Atlantic Oscillation Jellyfish Global climate change

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/5030

Citation

Petra Muha, Teja; Chícharo, Luís; Morais, Pedro; Pereira, Rita; Ben-Hamadou, Radhouan; Cruz, Joana; Teodósio Chíaro, Maria Alexandra. The effect of distinct hydrologic conditions on the zooplankton community in an estuary under mediterranean climate influence, Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology, 12, 4, 327-335, 2012.