Long-term monitoring of Spring Ecosystems (ECOFONTS)

Objectives:
Mediterranean spring ecosystems are under threat due to the consequences of global change. Severe and prolonged droughts, water abstraction and pollution, increasing evapotranspiration rates, abandonment of rural activities and encroachment jeopardize the biodiversity inhabiting these ecosystems. With this long-term monitoring scheme, we will survey around 90 spring ecosystems across a very wide environmental gradient in Catalonia to investigate the causes of spring biodiversity over time. We will also disseminate our findings with field trips to schools.

Principal investigator:
Dr. Marcos Fernández-Martínez
Funders:
Departament d'Acció Climàtica, Alimentació i Agenda Rural (Generalitat de Catalunya)
Type of project: Contract with public administrations
Reference: Not available
Host institutions:
CREAF
Delegació de la Serralada Litoral Central
Funding 2024: 65 k€
Start date: 1 January 2024
End date: Ongoing
Webpages: CREAF’s webpage to be ready soon Les fonts sota vigilància: programa de seguiment de fonts a llarg termini
Working team:
Judith Solé
Jordi Corbera
Dr. Roger Grau
Dr. Estela Romero
Dr. Olga Margalef
Prof. Francesc Sabater
Miquel Bes
Selection of media coverage:
CREAF's Blog
3/24
TV3
TVE
Tele5 (minute 24)