Macroinvertebrate community dynamics in the alpine lakes of Sierra Nevada

Abstract

Alpine lakes harbor unique macroinvertebrate communities as a result of their isolation and extreme environmental conditions. Consequently, these lakes often have high rates of endemism and very different species assemblages from those in lower altitudes. Despite this, there is still little understanding as to how their communities are affected and shaped by environmental factors. The Sierra Nevada mountain system (Spain) is of particular interest for the study of how alpine macroinvertebrate communities function, as it harbors a large number of alpine lakes located at different elevations and with a wide range of different geomorphological features. This study aims to characterize the macroinvertebrate communities present in these lakes and study their temporal community dynamics. In order to achieve this, lakes were extensively sampled, their macroinvertebrates were identified and quantified, and geomorphological data of the lakes was obtained in order to analyze their effect on the lakes’ communities and richness. Additionally, two lakes representing the two types of ponds present in the massif were intensively sampled, their macroinvertebrates were identified and quantified, and water temperature was recorded throughout the ice-free season. Taxa abundance and alpha diversity of the lakes was studied in order to determine how they evolve through time and how changes in temperature may affect them. Through the obtained results, the present study contributes to the overall understanding of how environmental and geomorphological factors affect the macroinvertebrate communities of high mountain lake ecosystems.