Progetto “Siamo tutti biodiversi?”

““Percorso di autoformazione guidata: approfondimenti scientificiPercorso di autoformazione guidata: approfondimenti scientifici””a cura dei ricercatori delle Sezioni scientifiche del Museo Trida cura dei ricercatori delle Sezioni scientifiche del Museo Tridentino di Scienze entino di Scienze

NaturaliNaturali

AREE AD ALTA AREE AD ALTA BIODIVERSITABIODIVERSITA’’MODULO 9MODULO 9

Marco Cantonati Marco Cantonati

Museo Tridentino di Scienze Naturali Museo Tridentino di Scienze Naturali –– Sezione di Limnologia e AlgologiaSezione di Limnologia e Algologia

Le sorgenti: non solo fonti di una risorsa Le sorgenti: non solo fonti di una risorsa essenziale come lessenziale come l’’acqua di elevata acqua di elevata qualitqualitàà, ma anche habitat acquatici a , ma anche habitat acquatici a elevata biodiversitelevata biodiversitàà ((hotspotshotspots))

-the spring habitat in the frame of its drainage basin (upstream) and of a running water system (downstream), -main characteristics of spring habitats (taxarichness, azonality, heterogeneity, microhabitat mosaic structure), -springs as refugia and conservation problems, -springs as part of a longitudinal zonationsystem, -different spring types (ecomorphology), -physical and chemical characteristics in relation to the characterization of the biota and of acid-base and nutrient status, -the different groups of the biota (protists, plants, and animals; macro- and microscopic), -new, rare and Red List taxa, crenobiosis,-indicators, -springs with special physical and chemical characteristics,-long-term monitoring.

Research topics in crenobiology discussed in Cantonati et al. (2006):

Cantonati M., Gerecke R. & E. Bertuzzi, 2006 - Springs of the Alps, sensitive ecosystems to environmental change: From biodiversity assessments to long-term studies. Developments of Hydrobiology, Ecology of high altitude aquatic systems in the Alps (eds: Lami, A. & A. Boggero). Hydrobiologia, 562: 59-96.

pdf available!

Why did we need a CRENODAT Project?

Because springs are: - very important drinking water resources, - but also relevant natural habitats.However:- springs are still insufficiently considered by the scientificcommunity and therefore known as habitas and ecosystems (scientific research needed)- the relevance of springs as natural habitats iscompletely unknown in Italy and only scarcelyappreciated by the general public in other countries(popularization needed).There is not too much time since springs are severelyendangered…

CRENODAT CRENODAT –– 6 moduli operativi:6 moduli operativi:

I - Valutazione delle caratteristiche geomorfologiche, idrochimiche e della biodiversitbiodiversitàà. Per ottanta sorgenti esenti da impatti diretti, proporzionalmente distribuite sui principali substrati litologici, verranno studiate: la morfologia, l’idrogeologia, le caratteristiche chimiche (compresi gli elementi in traccia) e il biota (protisti, cianobatteri, alghe, idracari, microcrostacei, molluschi, altri gruppi dello zoobenthos, muschi e piante superiori).

II - Sorgenti con caratteristiche fisiche e chimiche particolari (20).

III - Le sorgenti come “laboratori naturali” (ecofisiologia e metabolismo bioorganico).

IV - Ricerche a lungo termine, global change e aspetti stagionali.

V - Sviluppo di criteri evoluti per la valutazione della naturalità / integrità.

VI - Divulgazione a favore della conservazione. Sito Internet, libro divulgativo, percorso naturalistico.

DIPTERA CHIRONOMIDAE V. LencioniV. Lencioni & L. L. MarzialiMarziali Museo Tridentino di Scienze Naturali

NEMATODAA. A. ZulliniZullini & F. GattiF. GattiUniv. di Milano Bicocca

EPHEMEROPTERA, TRICHOPTERA, PLECOPETERA, COLEOPTERAB. Maiolini B. Maiolini & L. L. SilveriSilveriMuseo Tridentino di Scienze Naturali –

OSTRACODAG. RossettiG. RossettiUniv. di Parma

OLIGOCHAETAB. B. SambugarSambugarMuseo di St. Nat. Verona

HYDRACARINAR. R. GereckeGereckeUniv. Tübingen Germany

MOLLUSCAC. C. DalfreddoDalfreddoFeltre

COPEPODAF. F. StochStochRome

VERTEBRATESM. MenegonM. MenegonMuseo Tridentino di Scienze Naturali -Vertebrate Zoology Section

CRENODAT: A broad approach to spring biodiversity

PROTOZOA (F. PROTOZOA (F. DiniDini, G. Di Giuseppe) , G. Di Giuseppe) --Univ. Pisa

BIOFILM (fungi + sulphur and iron bacteria)J. J. FritscherFritscherUniv. Erlangen

DIATOMS (E. Bertuzzi, DIATOMS (E. Bertuzzi, N. Angeli, M. Cantonati, N. Angeli, M. Cantonati, H. H. LangeLange--BertalotBertalot) ) Trento Science Museum &Universoitiy of Frankfurt)

BRYOPHYTHES AND VASCULAR PLANTS

D. D. SpitaleSpitale, M. , M. Tomaselli & A. Tomaselli & A. PetragliaPetraglia

OTHER ALGAE (N. OTHER ALGAE (N. Angeli, E. Bertuzzi, Angeli, E. Bertuzzi, M. Cantonati & E. M. Cantonati & E. RottRott))

CYANOBACTERIACYANOBACTERIA

(N. Angeli, E. Bertuzzi, M. (N. Angeli, E. Bertuzzi, M. Cantonati, J. Cantonati, J. KomarekKomarek & E. & E. RottRott))

AQUATIC LICHENS (J. AQUATIC LICHENS (J. Nascimbene) Nascimbene) –– fEeltrefEeltre))

Location of the 108 springs sampled during summer 2005 in the mountain ranges of the Autonomous Province of Trento

TASK I. Geomorphological and hydrochemical characterisation and biodiversity assessment.

Location of the 108 springs considered for the CRENODAT Project on the lithological substrates of the Autonomous Province of Trento

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

<70 100-200 >300µg L-1

Sr

NEW TAXA in SPRINGSNEW TAXA in SPRINGS:

Cyanobacteria:

-New species of Cyanodermatium: it appears to be rather rare: until nowfound at only one site (locus typicus, medium-size flowing spring on siliceoussubstrate, low alkalinity but sufficiently buffered, shaded, oligotrophic butwith slightly above average nitrate values).

Red algae: detailed taxonomyofHildenbrandia present in fiveCRENODAT springs. It remains toascertain if the popoulations found in springs should be ascribed to H. rivularis, or if these “spring-forms” mayturn out to be something specific bycombined genetical / morphological(including ultrastructure by SEM and TEM) and chemotaxonomical analyses.

Lichens: taxa which are new for Italy were found during the CRENODAT Project.

Bryophytes: Palustriella pluristratosa, recently (2001) described new species, or ecotype?

COLLABORATIONS:

Prof. Robert Sheath

Dept. of Biological Sciences;

California State University San Marcos

GENETICS

Prof. Mariona Hernández Mariné

Facul. de Farmacia. Sec. Botánica;

Universidad de Barcelona - Spain

TEM

-Comparison (morphology, ultrastructure, genetics and ecology) of Phormidium retzii growing in alpine springs with a morphologicallyastonishingly similar species found in Brasil in different microhabitats.

COLLABORATIONS: Prof. J. Komárek University of South Bohemia and Prof. Marli F. Fiore University of São Paolo;

MicrofissurataH. Lange-Bertalot & M. Cantonati (ms name)

• The alveoli-areolae are simple transapical slit-like perforations. Outside: Distal raphe ends clearly deflected towards the side of the vale were the Voigt fault is.

• So far found in the surface sediment and in bryophytes and clubmosses in habitats were moderate acidity is determined by organic acids: pool and seepage springs, a peat-bog and a dystrophic lake.

• even a new diatom genus was found in the CRENODAT springs

Diatoms:

Microfissurata paludosa

NEW TAXA in SPRINGS:NEW TAXA in SPRINGS:

Achnanthidium dolomiticumCantonati & Lange-Bertalot

Cantonati M. & H. Lange-Bertalot, 2006 – Achnanthidiumdolomiticum sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta) from oligotrophicmountain springs and lakes fed by dolomite aquifers – Journal of Phycology. 42: 1184-1188.

• Most characteristic morphological features: narrow, but distinctive fascia, filiform raphe with narrowly spaced central ends and very narrow and straight axial area on the raphe valve, convex shaped rapheless valve, length / width ratio and valve outline.

• Mainly EPIPHYTIC on bryophytes and aquatic vascular plants in carbonate springs and lakes.

• Freshwater habitats fed by drainage basins dominated by dolomite lithology with medium mineralization, oligotrophicand affected by seasonal desiccation.

COLLABORATIONS: Prof. H. Lange-Bertalot Univ. Frankfurt

Geissleria gereckeiCantonati, Bertuzzi & Lange-Bertalot (ms name)

• Most characteristic morphological features: valve outline, size

and length / width ratio. At the SEM: absence of the slit-like grooves in the central nodule characteristic of G. decussis.

• Epilithic and characteristic of the leaves and detritus covered stones oflow-discharge and very shaded carbonate mountain springs of the Alps.

NEW TAXA in SPRINGS:NEW TAXA in SPRINGS: Diatoms:

COLLABORATIONS: Prof. H. Lange-BertalotUniv. Frankfurt

COLLABORATIONS: Prof. G. Guella, Dott. R. Frassanito, Dott. Ines Mancini, Univ. Trento, Dip. Fisica, Lab. Chimica Bioorganica

NEW TAXA in SPRINGS:NEW TAXA in SPRINGS:

In the characterization of new or ecologically relevant taxa an approach deserving attention to selected secondary metabolites is also applied whenever possible, considering e.g.:

• main pigment composition (marker pigments etc.).

• total fatty acid composition

• proportion of lipid classes

• galactolipids

• monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) composition

• free fatty acids composition

• oxylipins

• sunscreen pigments (scytonemin for cyanobacteria, mycosporine-like amino-acids - MAAs)

Chemotaxonomical approach:

R

OHC6H12O6

4-keto myxoxanthophyll

O

OH

OH

OH

O

OH

O

O

R1

R2

12

31'

6'

MGDG

OOH

OH

O H

O H

O

O H

O H

OH

O O

O

O R1

R2

12

31'

1''

6'6''

DGDG

Thin Layer Chromatography of the five fractions.Stationary phase: Merck Si60Mobile phase: n-Hex/AcOEt1:1

A new species and subgenus of Lebertia(Acari: Hydrachnidia: Lebertiidae)

Lebertia (Brentalebertia nov. subgen.) hygropetrica nov. spec. is described from deutonymphs and adults of both sexes collected in a hygropetric spring in the Adamello-Brenta Natural Park (Trentino, Italy).

The new taxon differs from all known species of the genus in having doubled acetabula(in adults resultingin three pairs of acetabula on each side of the gonopore), in the shape of the anterior coxal tips(finely pointed and bent downwards), the gnathosoma(very slender and elongated), and palp (stout, with thickened P-4).

NEW TAXA in SPRINGS:NEW TAXA in SPRINGS: Water mites:

COLLABORATIONS: Dr. R. GereckeUniv. Tübingen

NEW TAXA in SPRINGS:NEW TAXA in SPRINGS: Copepods:

Copepods:

-New species of Diacyclops (sp. gr. languidus): found in threeCRENODAT springs (pool or seepage springs).

COLLABORATIONS: Dr. F. Stoch Roma

Species of oligochetes belonging to the generaCernosvitoviella, Marionina and Timmodriluswere detected for the first time in Italy.Species of oligochetes new for science were found, but the work necessary to describe them has just started

(anatomic details of Cernosvitoviella tatrensis)

Cernosvitoviella minor

NEW TAXA in SPRINGS:NEW TAXA in SPRINGS: Oligochetes:

COLLABORATIONS: Dr. B. SambugarVerona

AnaplectusgranulosusEumonhystera tatrica

Tobriluszakopanensis

Dorylaimusstagnalis

88 species of Nematoda were detected.Two new species were observed, but they were represented by single specimens and this material is not sufficient to describe new taxa.

NEW TAXA in SPRINGS:NEW TAXA in SPRINGS: Nematods:

COLLABORATIONS: Prof. A. ZulliniUniv. Milano, Dr. F. Gatti Univ. Parma

RED LIST TAXA in SPRINGSRED LIST TAXA in SPRINGS

Red List taxa of the CRENODAT epibryon diatoms: 45%

RED LIST

12%

14%

3%

12%24%

26%

5% 3%1%

0123GRV***D°

FromWerum & Lange-Bertalot:

springs in centralGermany

DIATOMS: Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park: 45%

Differentiation of diatoms according to the „Red List“ of endangered species (after Lange-Bertalot 1996): 31%

DIATOMS: Adamello-Brenta

Natural Park:

48%Alps

Mountains of central Germany

SPRINGS as REFUGIA SPRINGS as REFUGIA

• The potential of springs for aquatic lichen richness seems to be highly dependent on the scale. Single springs considered in the CRENODAT Project proved to host a surprisingly low number of species (2), while at regional level the entire pool of investigated springs host a relevant aquatic lichen flora. This pattern has important implications for conservation, not only for lichens, but also for other groups of photoautotrophs: e.g. diatoms and cyanobacteria).

• In 1995 Botosaneanu published the concept of geographic relicts: in areas heavily impacted by human activities springs can be the last freshwater habitats were species with high environmental requirements (strictly oligotraphentic etc.) can still survive.

• In springs of mountainous areas of central Germany Werum & Lange-Bertalot (2004) could find 52% of the total freshwater pennate diatom flora of Central Europe.

SENSITIVE INDICATORS of KEY ENV. FACTORSSENSITIVE INDICATORS of KEY ENV. FACTORS

source variance %

DIATOMS cond 0,166 5,4

pH 0,205 6,7

PO3 0,187 6,1

shared 0,082 2,81

Residual 2,420 79,1

Total 3,06 100,0

OTHER ALGAE cond 0,339 4,95

+ Cyanobact. Residual 6,511 95,05

Total 6,850 100,0

LICHENS pH 0,581 11,6

SiO2 0,597 11,9

shared 0,000 0,0

Residual 3,846 75,5

Total 5,025 100,0

BRYOPHYTES & altitude 0,273 3,7

VASCULAR PL. pH 0,305 4,1

PO3 0,155 2,1

stones 0,155 2,1

shared 0,157 2,1

Residual 6,357 85,9

Total 7,402 100,0

Bioorganic compounds:Bioorganic compounds:• Scytonemin concentation as indicator of UV environment (?hydrological stability).

Organisms:Organisms:• Achnanthidiumdolomiticium as indicator of of unstable discharge(periodic desiccation) anddolomite aquifer lithology (?above average Mg2+ concentrations).

Communities:Communities:•• Variance partitioningVariance partitioning::

Scytonemin is a photoprotectivepigment (UVA and partly UVB) exclusive of cyanobacteria that have to withstand exposure in conditions od reduced metabolism. A significant correlation was found between scytonemin concentration and elevation and the relation between scytonemin and and discharge is still being explored.

All groups of photoautotrophs are primarily influenced by geogenic (pH, conductivity etc.) variables. Then some nutrients show up among the most influential factors. However, the residual unexplained variance is high: a lot of work is still necessary to adequately explore the complex and rich CRENODAT datasets (photoautotrophs and environmental variables).

LONGLONG--TERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCHTERM ECOLOGICAL RESEARCHSpecific monitoring goals Phytosociological unit Main macroscopic phytobenthos algae + lichens

(or main bryophyte and vasc. plant spp.)

Val di Fumo· possible acidification processes Marsupelletum emarginatae Blooms of filamentous green algae (Microspora sp.)

Verrucaria funckii, Rhizocarpon lavatum

Conca delle Levade· possible acidification processes Fragment withScapania undulata Epilithic cyanobacteria and lichens (Verrucaria spp. and others)

· trends in high mountain springs and Philonotis seriata Verrucaria funckii, V. latebrosa, Staurothele fuscocuprea, Aspicilia aquatica, Ionaspis odora

Val di Borzago · sufficiently buffered spring on Scapanietum undulatae Epilithic cyanobacteria (Pulvinularia sp., Chamaesiphon starmachii,

siliceous substrate: reference Tapinothrix janthina, Phormidium autumnale) and lichens (Verrucaria spp.)

· trend of nitrate concentrations Epiphytic cyanobacteria (Chamaesiphon confervicola, C. investiens var. roseus,

Xenotholos kerneri)

Verrucaria funckii, V. hydrela

Nambi · trend of nitrate concentrations Cratoneuretum commutati Epilithic cyanobacteria (Tapinothrix varians, Phormidium autumnale), the chrysophyte

· A nearby cattle-barn is being Hydrurus foetidus and lichens (Verrucaria elaeomelaena, Thelidium minutulum).

converted into a mountain inn: Blooms of the diatoms Diatoma mesodon and D. hyemalis

eventual eutrophication process

Valagola · spring on carbonate substrate: Brachythecium rivulare, Epilobium alsinifolium,Epilithic cyanobacteria (Tapinothrix varians, Chamaesiphongeitleri)

reference Cardamine amara Epiphytic cyanobacteria (Chamaesiphon confervicola).

· trend of nitrate concentrations The red alga Audouinella hermanni

Verrucaria funckii, V. margacea, Staurothele succedens

Cambiali · large, sufficiently buffered spring Epilithic cyanobacteria (Tapinothrix janthina, Phormidium favosum, Chamaesiphon

on siliceous substrate: reference polonicus); the chrysophyteHydrurus foetidus (strongly developed)

· re-colonization of secondary and [lichens (Verrucaria spp.)].

habitat after spring capturing

before

Mesorhyacophila laevis

Spring conservation – a case study

after- case study:spring capturing in Ponte Cambiali

potentialities of recovery

in the residual habitat

Focusing on:

- epilithic diatoms

- zoobenthos groups

SIL2007 (30th Congress of the International Association of Theoretical and Applied

Limnology). Montréal, Canada, 12-18 August 2007(http://www.sil2007.org/)

Springs and small streams:understudied and under-protected

key habitats for biodiversity conservation

Session organizers:

Dr Marco Cantonati, Trento Science Museum, Limnology and Phycology Section, Trento, Italy & Prof John S. Richardson, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Session motivation and descriptionThe biological communities of small streams and springs are distinctive, and more than simply a nested subset of species found downstream. Springs are considered special habitats by all running water classification systems in recognition of their marked environmental stability and generally low degree of pollution. They are however much less studied than other freshwater habitats. The processes that provide habitat conditions suitable for specialized taxa have often only been described in general terms. Advances in testing physical, chemical and biological mechanisms that select amongst taxa have started to demonstrate the roles of hydraulic and other physical processes that set habitat constraints. As applied problems emerge, it is increasingly important to strengthen fundamental knowledge on these environments. Indeed, springs and groundwater-fed streams are often under-protected in some landscapes (e.g. managed forests), while in others they are increasingly threatened by capture for drinking water use (European Alps). This session will explore the distinctiveness of the biological and physical systems, as well as how these are affected by various kinds of management. The links (or absence thereof) to broader policy, such as the Clean Water Act (USA) and the Water Framework Directive (EU-WFD) will also be considered. Initiatives for an improved international cooperation in spring-research will be explored.

Keynote speakers:

Prof Eugen Rott, University of Innsbruck, Austria:Headwater streams: Biodiversity and conservation aspects.

Dr Reinhard Gerecke, University of Tübingen, Germany: Spring habitats: the biota and pros for long-term ecological research.Others to be contacted…

L’acqua, le sorgenti, la loro tutela: sono argomenti che la interessano?

Sorgenti Vallesinella 2006 4 11 ottobre 2006

SI 97,9%

NO 2,1%

Spread of knowledge

• Italian Edition of Smith & Smith, ecology textbook

Specific standardised methods for the sampling and surveying of spring biota must be developed and tested.

Methods

• However, springs are not or only marginally considered in the main national legislations and in the European Directives and only scarcely known (more frequently totally unknown) as valuable habitats by the general public and even by specialists.

• However, springs are confirmed by the data gained during a large multidisciplinary Project carried out in the Alps (CRENODAT) to be habitats of special relevance for nature conservation, which host relevant amounts (about 50% in the Alps in the case of diatoms) of characteristic, rare, and Red List species andeven taxa new for science.

• Stable springs with their characteristic environmental stability are ideal sites (almost “natural laboratories”) for the investigation of several interesting problems of fundamental biology.

• Therefore, springs can be natural treasure-houses of aquatic biodiversity only if, at the regional level, entire pools springs (including different morphological types) can be protected. The richness, interest, and variety of spring biota is indeed likely to be caused by the ample range of habitat types that can derive from the possible combinations of the most relevant environmental factors.

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

• Springs are habitats endangered by increasing exploitation, because there are valuable resources of high quality water. This impact is likely to increase in future due to climate change trends.

• Therefore, work in favour of the spread of knowledge on spring habitats both among specialists and among the general public is an issue of paramount importance.

• The main objective must be to have these aquatic environments included in laws and directives, and hence in monitoring programmes and environmental protection. This requires standardized sampling and study methods of the spring biota to be developed and tested, and indicators of spring environmental quality and integrity to be identified.

SitiSiti e e riferimentiriferimenti bibliograficibibliografici

• Portale sulle sorgenti delle Alpi:

-http://www.alpenquellen.com/

-http://www.alpenquellen.com/italia/

• Edizione italiana testo ecologia con scheda sulle sorgenti:

-Occhipinti-Ambrogi A., Badino G., Cantonati M. (eds) 2007. Elementi di Ecologia. Italian Edition of T.M. Smith, R.L. Smith Elements of Ecology. Sixth edition. M. Pearson Paravia Bruno Mondadori S.p.A. 706 pp.

-Cantonati 2007. Tra laghi e fiumi: le sorgenti, habitat minacciati dal cambiamento climatico. In: Occhipinti-Ambrogi A., Badino G., Cantonati M. (a cura di) Elementi di Ecologia: 511-513 (Cap. 24). Edizione Italiana di T.M. Smith, R.L. Smith Elements of Ecology. Sesta edizione. M. Pearson Paravia Bruno Mondadori S.p.A. 706 pp.

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements::FundingFunding of the CRENODAT Project:of the CRENODAT Project:

AutonomousAutonomous Province Province of Trento of Trento ScientificScientific ResearchResearch DeptDept..

ThankThank youyouforfor youryour attentionattention!!