Mediterranean springs : keystone ecosystems and biodiversity refugia threatened by global change

Mediterranean spring ecosystems are unique habitats at the interface between surface water and groundwater. These ecosystems support a remarkable array of biodiversity and provide important ecological functions and ecosystem services. Spring ecosystems are influenced by abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors such as the lithology of their draining aquifers, their climate, and the land use of their recharge area, all of which affect the water chemistry of the aquifer and the spring discharges. One of the most relevant characteristics of spring ecosystems is the temporal stability of environmental conditions, including physicochemical features of the spring water, across seasons and years. This stability allows a wide range of species to benefit from these ecosystems (particularly during dry periods), fostering an unusually high number of endemic species. However, global change poses important threats to these freshwater ecosystems. Changes in temperature, evapotranspiration, and precipitation patterns can alter the water balance and chemistry of spring water. Eutrophication due to agricultural practices and emergent pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and pesticides, is also a growing concern for the preservation of spring biodiversity. Here, we provide a synthesis of the main characteristics and functioning of Mediterranean spring ecosystems. We then describe their ecological value and biodiversity patterns and highlight the main risks these ecosystems face. Moreover, we identify existing knowledge gaps to guide future research in order to fully uncover the hidden biodiversity within these habitats and understand the main drivers that govern them. Finally, we provide a brief summary of recommended actions that should be taken to effectively manage and preserve Mediterranean spring ecosystems for future generations. Even though studies on Mediterranean spring ecosystems are still scarce, our review shows there are sufficient data to conclude that their future viability as functional ecosystems is under severe threat

A review of constraints and solutions for collecting raptor samples and contextual data for a European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility

The COST Action ‘European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility’ (ERBFacility) aims to develop pan-European raptor biomonitoring in support of better chemicals management in Europe, using raptors as sentinel species. This presents a significant challenge involving a range of constraints that must be identified and addressed. The aims of this study were to: (1) carry out a comprehensive review of the constraints that may limit the gathering in the field of raptor samples and contextual data, and assess their relative importance across Europe; and (2) identify and discuss possible solutions to the key constraints that were identified. We applied a participatory approach to identify constraints and to discuss feasible solutions. Thirty-one constraints were identified, which were divided into four categories: legal, methodological, spatial coverage, and skills constraints. To assess the importance of the constraints and their possible solutions, we collected information through scientific workshops and by distributing a questionnaire to stakeholders in all the countries involved in ERBFacility. We obtained 74 answers to the questionnaire, from 24 of the 39 COST participating countries. The most important constraints identified were related to the collection of complex contextual data about sources of contamination, and the low number of existing raptor population national/regional monitoring schemes and ecological studies that could provide raptor samples. Legal constraints, such as permits to allow the collection of invasive samples, and skills constraints, such as the lack of expertise to practice necropsies, were also highlighted. Here, we present solutions for all the constraints identified, thus suggesting the feasibility of establishing a long-term European Raptor Sampling Programme as a key element of the planned European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility.This paper is based on work from COST Action European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility (COST Action CA16224) supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), including a grant for a short-term scientific mission awarded to the lead author. COST is funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union. Silvia Espín was financially supported by Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (Juan de la Cierva-Incorporación postdoctoral contract, IJCI-2017-34653).Peer reviewe

A review of constraints and solutions for collecting raptor samples and contextual data for a European raptor biomonitoring facility

The COST Action ‘European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility’ (ERBFacility) aims to develop pan-European raptor biomonitoring in support of better chemicals management in Europe, using raptors as sentinel species. This presents a significant challenge involving a range of constraints that must be identified and addressed. The aims of this study were to: (1) carry out a comprehensive review of the constraints that may limit the gathering in the field of raptor samples and contextual data, and assess their relative importance across Europe; and (2) identify and discuss possible solutions to the key constraints that were identified. We applied a participatory approach to identify constraints and to discuss feasible solutions. Thirty-one constraints were identified, which were divided into four categories: legal, methodological, spatial coverage, and skills constraints. To assess the importance of the constraints and their possible solutions, we collected information through scientific workshops and by distributing a questionnaire to stakeholders in all the countries involved in ERBFacility. We obtained 74 answers to the questionnaire, from 24 of the 39 COST participating countries. The most important constraints identified were related to the collection of complex contextual data about sources of contamination, and the low number of existing raptor population national/regional monitoring schemes and ecological studies that could provide raptor samples. Legal constraints, such as permits to allow the collection of invasive samples, and skills constraints, such as the lack of expertise to practice necropsies, were also highlighted. Here, we present solutions for all the constraints identified, thus suggesting the feasibility of establishing a long-term European Raptor Sampling Programme as a key element of the planned European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility

A review of constraints and solutions for collecting raptor samples and contextual data for a European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility

The COST Action ‘European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility’ (ERBFacility) aims to develop pan-European raptor biomonitoring in support of better chemicals management in Europe, using raptors as sentinel species. This pre- sents a significant challenge involving a range of constraints that must be identified and addressed. The aims of this study were to: (1) carry out a comprehensive review of the constraints that may limit the gathering in the field of raptor samples and contextual data, and assess their relative importance across Europe; and (2) identify and discuss possible solutions to the key constraints that were identified. We applied a participatory approach to identify constraints and to discuss feasible solutions. Thirty-one constraints were identified, which were divided into four categories: legal, methodological, spatial coverage, and skills constraints. To assess the importance of the constraints and their possible solutions, we collected information through scientific workshops and by distribut- ing a questionnaire to stakeholders in all the countries involved in ERBFacility. We obtained 74 answers to the questionnaire, from 24 of the 39 COST participating countries. The most important constraints identified were re- lated to the collection of complex contextual data about sources of contamination, and the low number of existing raptor population national/regional monitoring schemes and ecological studies that could provide raptor samples. Legal constraints, such as permits to allow the collection of invasive samples, and skills constraints, such as the lack of expertise to practice necropsies, were also highlighted. Here, we present solutions for all the con- straints identified, thus suggesting the feasibility of establishing a long-term European Raptor Sampling Pro- gramme as a key element of the planned European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility

Legacy and emerging contaminants in flamingos' chicks' blood from the Ebro Delta Natural Park

The Ebro Delta is a wetland of international importance for waterbird conservation but severally affected by intensive agriculture, toxic waste discharges from a past chloro-alkali industry and affluence of tourism. The discharge of contaminants associated to these activities pose waterbirds breeding in the Ebro Delta at risk. The aim of this study is to evaluate the exposure of 91 emerging and legacy micropollutants in flamingo chicks (Phoenicopterus roseus), an emblematic species of the area. Fifty chicks of 45-60 days were captured, biometric parameters measured and whole blood collected. Compounds analyzed included perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), pharmaceuticals, organophosphate esters (OPEs), in-use pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The results indicate a multi-exposure of flamingo's chicks from a very young age. PFASs were the most ubiquitous compounds with ∑PFASs ranging from 9.34 to 576 ng/mL, being PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS detected in all samples. ∑PAHs ranged from 0.19 to 423 ng/mL, ∑PCBs from 0.5 to 15.6 ng/mL and ∑OCs from 1.35 to 37.8 ng/mL. Pharmaceuticals, OPEs and in-use pesticides were not detected. The flamingo's filtering behavior on mud and maternal ovo-transference are the more likely routes of exposure of organic micropollutants to flamingos' chicks. The reported levels of micropollutants were not associated with any alteration in the body condition of chicks. This is the first study to describe flamingos chicks' exposure to multiple contaminants, highlighting the importance of biomonitoring for wildlife conservation and biodiversity preservation.The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation is acknowledged for financial support [PID2019-105732GB-C21] from MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. This study was also supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the IDAEA-CSIC, a Centre of Excellence Severo Ochoa (CEX2018-000794-S). We thank the Ebro Delta Natural Park, specially Francesc Vidal and Toni Curcó, for the opportunity to obtain the samples and the team of veterinaries for the extraction of blood.Peer reviewe

Presence of organic micropollutants in greater flamingo from Ebro Delta Natural Park

Resumen del póster presentado al SETAC Europe 31st Annual Meeting, celebrado de forma virtual del 3 al 6 de mayo de 2021.Ebro delta is a wetland of international importance for water bird conservation. In a relatively small surface, it comprises a great diversity of habitats and species: a total of 343 species of birds have been observed in the delta, from which 100 species breed regularly and 15 occasionally. Over the last 150 years the extensive wetland reclamation for rice cultivation has resulted in the loss of 65% of the natural habitats. The agricultural activities and the runoffs inputs from industries and wastewater treatment plants are an important source of organic contaminants to Ebro delta. In the recent years the presence of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, perfluorinated compounds and organophosphorus compounds has been reported in soils, sediments and water from Ebro delta. These organic contaminants can be bioaccumulated and transferred along the food chain affecting avifauna. The accumulation of pollutants in Yellow-legged gulls and Audouin’s gulls from the delta Ebro have been reported in the recent years. The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is an emblematic species of the Ebro Delta Natural Park, since it is the only place where it breeds in Catalonia and one of the few stable places in the western Mediterranean. Conserving the species in one of the main objectives of the Natural Park, implying an accurate monitoring program. However, polluted sediments and water can affect flamingos and induce potential adverse effects on reproduction and survival, although this has never been assessed before. In this study, we have analysed for the first-time a near one hundred of contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, perfluorinated compounds, organophosphorus flame retardants and pesticides in blood from chicks of greater flamingos with aim to value their potential impact in the conservation status of the species. Our results suggest ovo- transfer of pollutants and sediment ingestion as a source of contamination of flamingo’s flagging’s.Peer reviewe

Pilot monitoring scheme of water pollutants in Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas

In this study we have established a monitoring scheme to determine the presence and distribution of widely used pharmaceuticals, pesticides, organophosphate esters (OPEs) and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water bodies from Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) from Spain. The monitoring scheme included the georeferenced sampling of rocky mountain, Atlantic forest, riparian forest, Mediterranean forest, agricultural, inland aquatic and coastal aquatic IBAs, with the aim to evaluate the impact of widely used chemicals in those aquatic resources. Water samples were extracted using a generic solid-phase extraction protocol and analyzed by 3 analytical methods based on liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Quality parameters such as compound recovery, intra and inter-day variation, linearity and limits of detection were calculated in order to validate the methods. In addition, the ionization conditions and the optimization of the most appropriate transitions permitted unequivocal identification. Once the sampling and analytical procedure was set-up, 59 target compounds were monitored in 63 samples. Pharmaceutical, followed by pesticides, OPEs and PFAS were widespread along all IBAs studied at concentrations from 0.5 to 41083 ng/L. Overall, this study highlights the need to monitor the presence of contaminants in areas of high ecological interest to contribute to pollution control and mitigation towards protection of biodiversity.The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from SEO/BirdLife and Ecoembes through LIBERA project (Ciencia Libera). We also acknowledge the volunteers from LIFE FOLLOWERSSRN2000 project (LIFE16 ESC/ES/000003) and other volunteers who participated in the collection of the samples. The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation is acknowledged for financial support [PID2019-105732GB-C21] from MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and for the Severo Ochoa project Grant CEX2018-000794-S funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 to IDAEA-CSIC as Centre of Excellence.Peer reviewe

Monitoring and impact assessment of organic micropollutants in important bird and biodiversity areas from Spain

Resumen del trabajo presentado al SETAC Europe 31st Annual Meeting, celebrado de forma virtual del 3 al 6 de mayo de 2021.The authors thank financial support from SEO/BirdLife and Ecoembes through LIBERA project. The Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain under the project PID2019-105732GB-C21 is also acknowledged. The authors also gratefully acknowledge funding from Severo Ochoa Program.Peer reviewe

Water pollution threats in important bird and biodiversity areas from Spain

Chemical pollution is still an underestimated threat to surface waters from natural areas. This study has analysed the presence and distribution of 59 organic micropollutants (OMPs) including pharmaceuticals, lifestyle compounds, pesticides, organophosphate esters (OPEs), benzophenone and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in 411 water samples from 140 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) from Spain, to evaluate the impact of these pollutants in sites of environmental relevance. Lifestyle compounds, pharmaceuticals and OPEs were the most ubiquitous chemical families, while pesticides and PFASs showed a detection frequency below 25% of the samples. The mean concentrations detected ranged from 0.1 to 301 ng/L. According to spatial data, agricultural surface has been identified as the most important source of all OMPs in natural areas. Lifestyle compounds and PFASs have been related to the presence of artificial surface and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) discharges, which were also an important source of pharmaceuticals to surface waters. Fifteen out of 59 OMPs have been found at levels posing a high risk for the aquatic IBAs ecosystems, being the insecticide chlorpyrifos, the antidepressant venlafaxine and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) the most concerning compounds. This is the first study to quantify water pollution in IBAs and evidence that OMPs are an emerging threat to freshwater ecosystems that are essential for biodiversity conservation.The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from SEO/BirdLife and Ecoembes through LIBERA project (Ciencia Libera). We also acknowledge the volunteers from LIFE FOLLOWERSSRN2000 project (LIFE16 ESC/ES/000003) and other volunteers who participated in the collection of the samples. The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation is acknowledged for financial support [PID2019–105732GBC21] from CIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and for the Severo Ochoa project Grant CEX2018–000794-S funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 to IDAEA-CSIC as Centre of Excellence.Peer reviewe

Amenazas de contaminación del agua en áreas importantes para la conservación de las aves y la biodiversidad (IBA) de España

Resumen del trabajo presentado al 25º Congreso Español de Ornitología: Ciencia para la conservación, celebrado en Menorca del 9 al 13 de noviembre de 2022.Peer reviewe