From flowing to dry conditions: first results on the aquatic states
During the last 6 months we have been visiting our study sites regularly (every six weeks) in order to capture the different hydrological conditions and aquatic states of streams from spring to end of summer, and sample the aquatic communities living therein. We observed that many temporary streams with abundant flowing water in spring (Eurheic state) progressively dried out, passing through a stage with a succession of pools connected by a tiny river flow (Oligorheic state), disconnected pools (Arheic state) and, finally, until they got completely dry (Hyporheic state) . As shown in the maps, this included natural temporary streams, such as Talamanca, Pineda, Monlleó and Cérvol, but also permanent ones affected by water abstraction, such as Guadazaón. Other streams did not dry out and kept disconnected pools all along the summer, and reconnected with the first rains in September. This was the case of the Glorieta and Tossa streams, and the Matarranya River.
Click on the dots to obtain more information: to know the river’s name and its hydrological flow regime, and see a picture of it.
