Modelling hydrological characteristics of Mediterranean Temporary Ponds and potential impacts from climate change

Abstract

'Mediterranean Temporary Ponds' (MTP) constitutes a priority, substantially vulnerable and unstable habitat (Natura code: 3170*). In this article, the influences of climate change on the hydroperiod of two MTPs in Crete, have been quantitatively explored by using: (i) a physically based, semidistributed lake basin model of Lake Kourna, where the hydrology of the lake is directly related to that of the adjacent MTP and (ii) a conceptual/mathematical model of an MTP in Omalos plateau. A water balance model was also set up to estimate net groundwater inflows for Lake Kourna and the basin. The water balance estimates and GIS tools were then used to set up the physically based model which was calibrated for the hydrological year Calibration of the mathematical model was very good, while for the physically based model calibration was satisfactory. The two models were then setup and simulated for two future Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios: A2 (pessimistic) and B2 (more optimistic). The responses of Lake Kourna and Omalos MTP water levels and their hydroperiods were then predicted. Results for IPCC B2 and A2 climate scenarios show longer hydroperiod and smaller decreases in the future for Omalos MTP than in Lake Kourna MTP. Results for Lake Kourna MTP demonstrated a hydroperiod decrease of more than 52 days after the application of the IPCC scenarios. Scenario A2 does not present a significantly different higher impact on the MTPs' hydroperiod.

Seasonal and spatial patterns of macroinvertebrate assemblages and environmental conditions in Mediterranean temporary ponds in Greece

“…Particularly in the Kourna MTP daily water level measurements were available, and the hydroperiod was estimated by counting the days that the water level was higher than the reference level, while in Falasarna only sporadic observations were available (usually on a monthly basis) and the hydroperiod length was estimated by subtracting the inundation and drying dates. For the Omalos pond no measurements were available; therefore, the MIKE SHE modeling platform was used in combination with the necessary precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, topography of the MTP basin and soil characteristics to estimate the daily water balance and the resulting hydroperiod (Dimitriou et al 2009). The hydroperiod of the ponds (days flooded per year) was estimated for the period 2005-2008.…”

Phytoplankton responses to human impacts at different scales

“…The interannual variability in the total amount and monthly distribution of precipitation causes significant variations not only at the length of the Mediterranean temporary ponds' hydroperiod but also at the start of their flooding period (Dimitriou et al, 2009). The interannual variability in the total amount and monthly distribution of precipitation causes significant variations not only at the length of the Mediterranean temporary ponds' hydroperiod but also at the start of their flooding period (Dimitriou et al, 2009).…”

Pond conservation: from science to practice

“…Such data will be particularly useful in the future, because we expect drastic changes in hydroperiod length. For example, a hydroperiod decrease of more than 52 days is predicted for Lake Kourna, a Mediterranean Temporary Pond from Crete (predictions with IPCC B2 and A2 climate scenarios) (Dimitriou et al, 2009). Investigations on the effect of the length of the hydroperiod have not only focussed upon Mediterranean waterbodies-in the future, we have also to consider the effect of changing hydrology on permanent ponds, which in turn can become temporary or can benefit (or suffer) from a large drawdown zone.…”