Ecosystem metabolism in a temporary Mediterranean marsh (Doñana National Park, SW Spain)

Doñana National Park's temporary Mediterranean marsh exhibits net autotrophy, with the benthic compartment being significantly more productive than the pelagic one. The study found that gross production rates exceed community respiration by 43% on average, with net community production increasing substantially with irradiance. A threshold irradiance range of 42 to 255 μE m−2 s−1 was identified, below which the system becomes net heterotrophic. This suggests that the pelagic compartment relies heavily on organic carbon produced by the benthic compartment, highlighting the marsh's complex metabolic dynamics.

Geertz-Hansen, O., Montes, C., Duarte, C. M., Sand-Jensen, K., Marbá, N., & Grillas, P. (2011). Ecosystem metabolism in a temporary Mediterranean marsh (Doñana National Park, SW Spain). Biogeosciences, 8(4), 963–971. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-8-963-2011