Geomorphological and hydrological features can provide a sound basis for global wetland classification. Temporary ponds
located on the sandy area of Doñana can be classified into five different geomorphological areas. We hypothesised that these
ponds would differ in soil characteristics, which may also explain differences in the composition of their macroinvertebrate,
amphibian, and aquatic plant species assemblages. The study ponds were significantly segregated into southern and northern
geomorphological areas based on the depth to the water table. The results of the multivariate ordination of soil variables were
consistent with a north-south segregation, which was explained by the carbonate and other main ion concentrations in the
pond basins. The ponds located in ecotones (marsh-sand and stable-mobile dunes) were particularly rich in amphibians and
macroinvertebrates. This result may be explained because the ponds with the longest permanence of water were located in
these areas, which represented the only flooded ponds during droughts. In addition, they also contained a high number of
temporary ponds, thus favouring connectivity and environmental heterogeneity in these areas
