Morphometric heterogeneity of temporary pools in Malta and its effect on species and life-form richness: implications for management and restoration

Abstract

The effect of morphometric heterogeneity of pool basins on the diversity of microcrustaceans and macrophytes was investigated in 39 cupular pools from six pool landscapes across the Maltese Islands. Each basin was characterised on the basis of its primary axis and secondary axis, maximum morphological depth, depth of the sediment layer and the maximum water level. The depth parameters were used to sub-divide each basin into depth classes based on morphological depth, sediment depth and maximum water level and variation in these parameters was expressed as a Heterogeneity Index for each basin. Basin morphometry did not vary significantly within pool landscapes and across pool landscapes. Deeper segments of a basin were characterised by longer hydroperiods and by a larger sediment volume.