Caratterizzazione tipologica, biologica ed ambientale di sistemi sorgivi del Gran Sasso (Abruzzo)

Abstract

En
This research deals with the identification of environmental factors structuring the distribution patterns of copepod assemblages (Crustacea: Copepoda) of two different springs, both belonging to the hydrogeological unit of the Gran Sasso massif (Abruzzo, Central Italy). The work has been carried out under both fine and meso-scale perspectives.The results show that the terminal sector of the hydrologic pattern of Capo d’Acqua spring is more superficial in respect to the Presciano one. Both structural heterogeneity and inertia of the Presciano spring, due to the presence of the aquiclude facies, are to be considered causal factors of its consistent taxocoenotic diversity, in terms of both species richness and taxonomic dispersion. Among environmental variables, the abundance of unconsolidated sediments per site, as well as POM concentration, are to be considered prevailing factors describing the copepod distributions in space and time.