Can be the environmental and biotic factors responsible for macroinvertebrate communities’ alterations in Portuguese alpine ponds?

Alpine ponds are shallow waterbodies formed in alpine zones characterized by usual pristine conditions, however subject to harsh conditions that enable the emergence of unique communities with high conservational value. Therefore, it is important to gather information about these ecosystems and understand the changes in the biota. This work aimed to use Portugal’s alpine ponds as a case of study in assessed the macroinvertebrates communities in the Mediterranean ecozone. To fulfill this goal, we aimed to understand the alterations on macroinvertebrates community and how are they modulated by environmental variables. Five alpine ponds in Serra da Estrela (Portugal) were studied for one year. Macroinvertebrate communities and physical and chemical water parameters were determined in June/16, October/16, and April/17. Water chemistry values were similar to other studied lentic waterbodies in alpine zones in Europe, with slightly acidic water and low conductivity. Although accentuated macroinvertebrates differences between ponds, no significant differences in diversity were recorded, indeed the main differences recorded were influenced by ponds habitat types and environmental variables. Canonical Correspondence Analysis showed differences in the communities between ponds, namely the high influence of several physical and chemical parameters (conductivity, phosphate content, and pH) in the macroinvertebrates community composition. Indeed, Spearman’s correlation revealed significant interaction in diversity, abundance and richness of macroinvertebrates and several physical and chemical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen and nitrates concentration).