Martínez-Megías, C. and Pascual-March, C. and Moratalla, J. and Rochera, C. and Picazo, A. and Morant, D. and Camacho, A. and Rico, A. (2025) Influence of conventional and organic rice farming on aquatic biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions in a protected Mediterranean wetland. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 393. p. 109835. ISSN 0167-8809
|
Text (Open access)
1-s2.0-S0167880925003676-main.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (7Mb) | Preview |
Abstract
Coastal wetlands face numerous threats from human activities, including habitat alteration for rice cultivation and contamination by agrochemicals. In this study, we evaluated the impact of different rice production practices on the structure of aquatic communities and greenhouse gas emissions in the Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain), one of the most important Mediterranean coastal wetlands. We monitored the diversity of aquatic bacteria and archaea, zooplankton, and macroinvertebrates over the rice cultivation period at four sampling sites: a water spring representing a natural (unimpacted) area, an organic rice field, and two conventional rice fields. Additionally, we measured CO� and CH� emissions at various stages of the rice cultivation period. Our study shows that areas dedicated to ecosystem preservation, such as water springs, support a higher diversity of bacteria and archaea and provide habitat for endemic and endangered macroinvertebrate species. Moreover, these areas exhibit the lowest relative greenhouse gas emissions from the water column, offering significant benefits for climate change mitigation. The study also reveals that the structure of aquatic communities is heavily influenced by rice farming practices, with organic rice farming supporting a larger abundance of pollution-resistant zooplankton and a higher diversity and biomass of emerging insects. However, organic rice farming was associated with the highest prevalence of fecal microorganisms and contributed more to greenhouse gas emissions during the rice cultivation period due to its manure fertilization regime. These findings underscore the need to carefully consider both the benefits and challenges of different farming practices, balancing ecological conservation and GHG emissions with sustainable agricultural production.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Aquatic biodiversity, GHG emissions, Land use change, Organic farming, Wetlands |
| Subjects: | Q Science > QS Ecology |
| Depositing User: | José Ángel Gómez Martín |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Oct 2025 07:18 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Oct 2025 07:20 |
| URI: | http://eprints.imdea-agua.org:13000/id/eprint/1744 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
