Can Artificial Ecosystems Enhance Local Biodiversity? The Case of a Constructed Wetland in a Mediterranean Urban Context

Abstract

Constructed wetlands (CW) are considered a successful tool to treat wastewater in many countries: their success is mainly assessed observing the rate of pollution reduction, but CW can also contribute to the conservation of ecosystem services. Among the many ecosystem services provided, the biodiversity of CW has received less attention. The EcoSistema Filtro (ESF) of the Molentargius-Saline Regional Natural Park is a constructed wetland situated in Sardinia (Italy), built to filter treated wastewater, increase habitat diversity, and enhance local biodiversity. A floristic survey has been carried out yearly 1 year after the construction of the artificial ecosystem in 2004, observing the modification of the vascular flora composition in time. The flora of the ESF accounted for 54% of the whole Regional Park's flora; alien species amount to 12%; taxa of conservation concern are 6%. Comparing the data in the years, except for the biennium 2006/2007, we observed a continuous increase of species richness, together with an increase of endemics, species of conservation concern, and alien species too. Once the endemics appeared, they remained part of the flora, showing a good persistence in the artificial wetland. Included in a natural park, but trapped in a sprawling and fast growing urban context, this artificial ecosystem provides multiple uses, by preserving and enhancing biodiversity. This is particularly relevant considering that biodiversity can act as a driver of sustainable development in urban areas where most of the world's population lives and comes into direct contact with nature.

Can Constructed Wetlands be Wildlife Refuges? A Review of Their Potential Biodiversity Conservation Value

“…[56] Constructed wetlands with emergent vegetation show a greater potential for maintaining vegetation diversity and increase the likelihood of colonization by a more diverse assemblage of macroinvertebrates [54]. One CW in the Regional Natural Park, Italy, was found to maintain a vegetation community consisting of 54% of the floral species pool of the whole park, despite covering just 2.52% of the total park area [55]. The development of a diverse vegetation community is also attributed to the presence of visiting and nesting birds [20].…”

Geotechnical Requirements for Capturing Co2 Through Highways Land

“…Accordingly, a proper drainage system such as SUDS [28], [29] should be considered for roadside verges and central reserves if engineered to capture carbon in addition to their primary functions. A further benefit of SUDS is that the created wetland can provide habitat for supporting biodiversity [30], [31].…”

Biodiversity Impact of Green Roofs and Constructed Wetlands as Progressive Eco-Technologies in Urban Areas

“…Their success has mainly been assessed in terms of water purification performance. Moreover, constructed wetlands can contribute to maintaining or improving biodiversity, especially in urban areas [120]. However, this aspect has received little attention so far.…”

“…A focus of constructed wetland research is the influence of plants on microorganisms and, specifically, on their performance in the decomposition of substances contained in water [163][164][165][166][167]. In the arrival and establishment phase of wetland succession, the plant diversity of constructed wetlands can exceed that of established natural wetlands [120,168,169]. A comprehensive study of vascular plants in a constructed wetland in Grady County, Georgia in the United States showed that their diversity had increased by a factor of 24 over a 9-year period since it was set up.…”