Limnetica 31

The creation of dams in the riverine zone of large reservoirs is an innovative action whose primary goal is to create water bodies that ensure a stable level of water there. We have termed these bodies of water “limno-reservoirs” because their water level becomes constant and independent of the fluctuations occurring in the main reservoir. In addition, limno-reservoirs represent environmental initiatives with corrective and/or compensatory effects. Pareja Limno-reservoir, located near the left side of Entrepeñas Reservoir (Guadalajara province, central Spain), is one of the first initiatives of this type. We are investigating the hydrology, limnology, microbiology, siltation risk and other aspects of this site.

This paper focuses on the limnological study of the Pareja Limno-reservoir. To conduct this research, twelve seasonal sample collections at two sampling points (the dam and inflow zones) have been made in Pareja Limno-reservoir (spring 2008-winter 2011). The primary goal of this study is to describe the limnological characteristics of the limno-reservoir, with especial interest in the study of the zooplankton community.

 The results of the study show that the Pareja Limno-reservoir follows a warm monomictic water stratification pattern. The highest nutrient concentrations were found in the winter, whereas the highest chlorophyll a and phytoplankton biomass values (dominated by Bacillariophyta) were found in the summer and autumn. The results obtained suggest that the Pareja Limno-reservoir is oligo-mesotrophic. The total zooplankton species richness was high, especially in the inflow zone. The most frequently found species are in agreement with those described in other studies performed on the Iberian Peninsula. Rotifers and copepods showed higher relative abundances than cladocerans.