PondMapp is a project that has benefited from the collaboration of many people. Although we would love to acknowledge everyone who has contributed valuable information, here we introduce the academic and professional team that has brought the project to life.
Margarita Florencio
(Coordinator)
Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC
Enlace personal: https://www.ebd.csic.es/acerca-de/personal/margarita-florencio-diaz
My main interest is the conservation of temporary ponds in the face of global change. I am particularly concerned about the threats these ponds currently face, including biological invasions, anthropogenic disturbances, and climate change, and how these pressures affect their biodiversity. Although my work focuses primarily on the study of aquatic invertebrate communities (macroinvertebrates and microcrustaceans), I am also interested in other aquatic organisms. I am fascinated by the ecology of large branchiopods and by how these unique organisms can act as sentinels for the conservation and restoration of temporary ponds. Likewise, the ecology of biological invasions and island biology, as well as the conservation of unique, rare, and threatened species, are major focuses of my research.
Ana Isabel López-Archilla
Departamento de Ecología
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Email: anabel.lopez@uam.es
Currently, my main line of research focuses on the study of inland salt lakes—both temporary and permanent—and their response to climate change. Within this field, my work centers on microbial mats, highly complex communities of microorganisms that existed billions of years before the appearance of plants and animals. We analyze their population dynamics throughout the hydrological cycle and their functional role in the ecosystem. Additionally, we conduct experiments in environmental chambers where we manipulate temperature and atmospheric CO₂ concentration, two key variables associated with climate change. Concern over the deterioration of these fragile habitats has driven my colleagues and me to raise awareness about their importance and warn of their possible disappearance.
Bartłomiej Gołdyn
Adam Mickiewicz Unviersity, Poland
I study the biodiversity, ecology and conservation of invertebrates inhabiting temporary wetlands, especially snow‑fed vernal pools, working predominantly in Central Europe’s temperate climate but also conducting research on similar habitats in the tropics and the Arctic. My work examines how fluctuating hydroperiods, climate‑driven extremes and fine‑scale habitat heterogeneity shape the persistence of
organisms such as large branchiopods, snails and tardigrades. I also try to explain why vernal pools, although once the most abundant temporary waters in temperate regions, are now greatly reduced, undervalued and increasingly threatened by landscape modification and intensive agriculture. By combining field surveys, experiments and stakeholder studies across these diverse regions, and by focusing on
vulnerable taxa including flagship branchiopods and conservation‑priority gastropods, I investigate how organisms cope with desiccation, freezing and rapid habitat change, contributing to stronger scientific and conservation recognition of these fragile ecosystems.
Belen Cañuelo Jurado
Institution: Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC
Personal link: https://www.ebd.csic.es/acerca-de/personal/maria-belen-canuelo-jurado
As a Specialized Technician at the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory and the Image Analysis and Microscopy Unit of the EBD-CSIC, my work focuses on evaluating the environmental quality of aquatic ecosystems under global change pressures. I have a solid background in dissolved nutrient analysis and the development of analytical protocols for detecting and characterizing microplastics, having actively participated in projects regarding pollutant biovectoring by waterbirds. With a strong background in Environmental Education and scientific outreach, I am highly motivated to collaborate in citizen science initiatives, as I consider it essential to involve society in the ecological monitoring and protection of temporary ponds to halt their degradation and ensure their conservation.
Bram Vanschoenwinkel
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Personal page www.insularecology.com
Bram Vanschoenwinkel leds the Community Ecology Lab, investigating drivers of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning from local to global scales. In this laboratory, he performs fundamental research on the importance of dispersal and habitat selection in ecological communities and the general importance of connectivity for biodiversity. He often works with terrestrial island habitats such as inselbergs and freshwater ecosystems and investigate – among other topics – the impact of global change on food webs. Applied research lines focus, for instance, on pollination as an important ecosystem service and wetlands as resources for water birds. Models, experiments, surveys and large-scale biodiversity databases are used as resources.
Carlos Vázquez Chanivet
Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC
Personal link: https://www.ebd.csic.es/acerca-de/personal/carlos-vazquez-chavinet
My main interest and line of research is the ecology and conservation of Large Branchiopods as key species in the Mediterranean Temporary Ponds. Especially, about the factors that affect their hatching conditions, coexistence and biogeographical distribution of the different species that inhabit these ecosystems. I am also very interested in the research and active conservation of Linderiella baetica, an endemic species of anostracan that is highly endangered. I think that it is very relevant to study how global change drivers affect this group of peculiar organisms, so that we might know the consequences of these changes on their ecosystems.
Carmen Diaz-Paniagua
Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC)
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Carmen_Diaz-Paniagua/contributions
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6717-0173
I am expert in the study of amphibians and reptiles, their reproductive ecology, and population dynamics. Analysing the role of amphibians in temporary ponds, I have expanded my interest to other aquatic organisms, mainly macroinvertebrates and aquatic plants. I am interested in the conservation of Mediterranean Temporary ponds, aquatic habitats characterized by a wide interannual variability in the onset and duration of their aquatic phase. We have studied how the aquatic communities may adapt their annual cycles to the wide variability of the aquatic phase of these ponds. We have analysed in depth the dynamics of amphibian, maceroinvertebrate and aquatic plant communities in response to the pronounced fluctuations in their habitats. Our studies described the high species diversity of the pond network in Doñana National Park, and we have also highlighted the threats they face, mainly the overexploitation of the aquifer, which, together with climatic change, has caused hydroperiod reduction, pond desiccation and the invasion of pond basins by terrestrial vegetation. We have described the changes experienced over the last decades, resulting in a notable reduction in amphibian, aquatic plant, odonate and frewhwater turtle communities. We have also analysed the impact of exotic species on the ponds. To evaluate the resilience of pond communities, we also study the role of seeds by analysing their germination ecology and dormancy periods, which promote the long-term conservation of plant populations in these ponds.
Christian Arnanz Porras
Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Enlace personal: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christian-Arnanz-Porras?ev=hdr_xprf
My primary research interest focuses on the conservation of temporary ponds, specifically evaluating trends in their current conservation status at a peninsular scale within the context of global change. My objectives include identifying their main threats —such as the impact of invasive non-native species or the effects of intensive agriculture— and analyzing how these pressures disrupt their ecology and the organisms that inhabit them. Furthermore, I am interested in understanding the functioning and dynamics of the metacommunities within these ecosystems, paying special attention to connectivity, spatial distribution, and the influence of environmental factors on shaping biodiversity.
Federico Marrone
My research focuses on freshwater biodiversity, with a special interest in Mediterranean inland waters and temporary aquatic ecosystems. I am particularly fascinated by the diversity, evolution, and biogeography of aquatic invertebrates, especially copepods and other microcrustaceans, which I study through integrative approaches combining morphology, molecular data, and ecology.
I am also interested in how freshwater communities respond to environmental change, biological invasions, and human pressures, especially in fragile and isolated ecosystems such as Mediterranean islands. More broadly, my work aims to better understand and conserve the unique biodiversity of inland waters, which are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth.
Beyond research itself, I enjoy exploring the natural history of aquatic organisms and contributing to the study and conservation of freshwater habitats through taxonomy, fieldwork, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Websites:
https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=8530870400
Isabel M. García
Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC
Personal link: https://www.ebd.csic.es/acerca-de/personal/isabel-m-garcia-jimenez
I have a background in Chemistry, and from the beginning of my academic career I have been particularly interested in analytical chemistry and its applications in research and environmental studies. I have participated in several research projects focused on the analysis of secondary plant compounds and micronutrients using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which allowed me to gain experience in instrumental analytical techniques as well as in data processing and interpretation.
Later, I continued my work at the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, where I carried out analyses of nutrients and physicochemical parameters in freshwater systems, contributing to water quality monitoring and the study of aquatic ecosystems. Through these experiences, I have strengthened my interest in the conservation of inland waters and in understanding the impacts of pollution and climate change on these ecosystems. I believe that chemical analysis is an essential tool for assessing water quality, identifying environmental issues, and generating knowledge that supports the protection and sustainable management of freshwater resources.
Ismael Diaz Reina
Estación Biológica de Doñana
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ismaeldiazreina
My research focuses on the study of temporary ponds, unique ecosystems whose ecological dynamics and biodiversity are closely linked to environmental variability. I am particularly interested in understanding the processes that shape the structure and functioning of aquatic communities, as well as the factors influencing the distribution and diversity of the species inhabiting these systems. Through this research, I aim to advance our understanding of the ecology of temporary ponds and contribute scientific knowledge that supports their management, conservation, and restoration, highlighting their importance as biodiversity reservoirs and key components of Mediterranean landscapes.
Ismael Soto
Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC
Personal link: https://ismasa.github.io/tt/
My main research interest is understanding the spatio-temporal patterns of biological invasions and the processes that determine the establishment, spread, and impacts of non-native species across regional and global scales. My work combines macroecology, biogeography, data science, and spatial modelling to identify the main environmental and anthropogenic drivers of invasions and to predict future invasion risk under global change. I am particularly interested in identifying invasion hotspots, reconstructing native ranges, understanding how human activities drive species redistributions, and applying predictive models to support biodiversity conservation and management. I also investigate invasion dynamics across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, aiming to provide robust scientific evidence to improve the prevention and mitigation of biological invasions.
Laura Serrano Martín
I’m an associate professor with tenure at the Plant Biology & Ecology Department of the University of Sevilla (Spain). My research is focused on the limnology of Mediterranean temporary wetlands, particularly related to eutrophication with expertise in the chemical equilibrium of phosphate at the water-sediment interface. I’ve devoted most of my activity to the conservation of the Doñana temporary ponds where I’ve studied the ecology of their planktonic communities and the biogeochemistry of nutrients and organic matter.
Luc Brendonck
Animal Ecology, Global Change and Sustainable Development
URL research group: https://bio.kuleuven.be/eeb/lb
My main research interest is the ecology, evolution, and conservation of temporary ponds under global environmental change. I am particularly interested in how climate change, habitat degradation, and other anthropogenic pressures affect the biodiversity and functioning of these highly dynamic ecosystems. My work focuses on the diversity, biogeography, ecology, and evolutionary adaptations of the unique organisms that inhabit temporary ponds, with a particular emphasis on large branchiopods and annual killifish. I am fascinated by the remarkable life-history strategies that allow these organisms to persist in unpredictable environments and by their value as model organisms for studying ecological and evolutionary processes. Ultimately, my research aims to contribute to the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of temporary aquatic ecosystems worldwide.
Luca Vecchioni
My current research focuses on systematics and phylogeography, applying an integrative approach that combines morphological characterization, molecular diversity assessment, and population genetic analyses across terrestrial and freshwater taxa. I investigate the taxonomy, evolutionary relationships, and biogeographic patterns of small aquatic invertebrates, particularly copepods and other microcrustaceans, through standardized field surveys, morphometric analyses, and multilocus genetic approaches.
A major focus of my work is the investigation of population structure, historical connectivity, and diversification processes in fragmented freshwater habitats, with particular emphasis on Mediterranean and insular ecosystems. I also study the distribution, establishment, and ecological impacts of alien species, assessing their effects on native freshwater biota and community dynamics, with a specific focus on Sicilian inland-water ecosystems.
By integrating taxonomy, phylogenetics, and population genetics, my research contributes to a deeper understanding of freshwater biodiversity patterns and evolutionary processes, providing a robust scientific basis for the monitoring, conservation, and sustainable management of inland-water ecosystems.
Lucia Sainz-Escudero
Universitat de les Illes Balears
My research focuses on the evolutionary ecology and conservation genomics of aquatic crustaceans. I am interested in understanding how processes such as climate change, landscape structure, and oceanographic factors influence population connectivity, gene flow, genetic diversity, and the adaptation of populations, and how these processes ultimately shape their evolution. My work combines the collection of marine and freshwater crustaceans with population genomics and landscape genomics approaches to generate knowledge that supports their conservation. My previous project at Nord University (Norway), which I continue to work on, focuses on detecting genomic signals of adaptation to climate change in two species of high-latitude anostracans (Branchiopoda) (FAIRYSCAPE – https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101149901; https://site.nord.no/landscapegenomics/fairy-shrimps/#FAIRYSCAPE-ANCHOR). I am currently working as a postdoctoral researcher at the Universitat de les Illes Balears on a project investigating the genetic diversity and marine connectivity of hermit crab species (Anomura) in the Mediterranean Sea.
Marina Tomás Martin
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Departamento de Ecología
Enlace personal: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marina-Tomas-Martin-2
My main research focuses on the study of temporary ponds and their biodiversity, under the community ecology framework. In my PhD I assess the role of crustaceans known as “large branchiopods” in the ecosystem functioning of temporary ponds—including aspects of water quality and trophic interactions—as part of the ResPond project. In addition, I also collaborate in other research projects such as Branchioponds, Europonds, IberRios and Aquanocer that have allowed me to broaden my knowledge of other aquatic ecosystems and methodologies. My main motivation is to contribute to the conservation and restoration of freshwater ecosystems in the face of global change.
Paloma Alcorlo
Profesora Titular del Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
paloma.alcorlo@uam.es
My research focuses on understanding how invasive species affect the structure and functioning of Mediterranean aquatic ecosystems. I have also worked in the field of ecotoxicology, investigating the impacts of heavy metal pollution on aquatic ecosystems. Through these research lines, I have produced numerous technical reports for the regional government of Andalusia (Junta de Andalucía) and conducted both field and laboratory experiments. My current research examines the effects of climate change and land-use change on the biodiversity of rivers, wetlands, and shallow lakes. I investigate aquatic food webs using stable isotope analysis and multi-omics approaches to better understand ecosystem responses to environmental change. In addition to my research, I enjoy teaching Limnology and Aquatic Systems Analysis in the Biology degreee program, as well as Ecology and Management of Continental Aquatic Ecosystems in the UAM–UCM Master’s Program in Ecology.
Rocio Fernández-Zamudio
Estación Biológica de Doñana CSIC
My research focuses on the ecology of Mediterranean wetland plants, particularly their biology, reproduction, and adaptation to highly dynamic environments. I study how wetland plant communities change over time, how their distribution ranges shift, and the impacts of invasive species on these ecosystems. I am especially interested in the effects of climate change on Mediterranean wetlands, with a particular focus on the survival of plant propagules (seeds and other resistant structures) following increasingly frequent and prolonged droughts. Many plant species associated with these ephemeral ecosystems are undergoing marked declines, and my research aims to quantify these trends and assess the potential for reintroducing species that have become locally extinct in specific areas.
Vanesa Cespedes Castejon
Estación Biológica de Doñana
Laboratorio de Ecología Acuática (LEA-EBD): https://www.ebd.csic.es/en/services/laboratories-experimental-biology
My main interest focuses on the field of aquatic ecology, with experience in studying and characterising diverse environments ranging from natural and artificial ponds to wetlands and small saline rivers. I am particularly concerned about the threats they face, such as biological invasions, parasite-host interactions under environmental stress, and their consequent impact on biodiversity. Although a large part of my scientific career has focused on the study of macroinvertebrate communities, one of my main lines of research addresses the functioning and resilience of Mediterranean aquatic landscapes in the face of global change, with Doñana as an iconic reference for irreplaceable Iberian biodiversity. I currently combine this research facet with my technical and management roles. In this field, I carry out specialised tasks including the analysis of inorganic and organic nutrients, the identification of photosynthetic pigments, Raman spectroscopy analysis, physico-chemical water characterisation, and taxonomic identification through stereomicroscopy and microscopy. Likewise, as part of the co-management of specialised laboratories such as the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (LEA) and the Image Analysis and Microscopy Unit (IMIC), my activity focuses on providing comprehensive technical support to research projects and specialized training in limnology and image analysis.
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