2017/01/01 by Didier Paugy, Christian Lévêque · 1 citation
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy #Marine Ecology and Invasive Species #Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
paper · doi:10.4000/books.irdeditions.25253
openalex publication_date 2017/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/11
Small aquatic ecosystems generally have several and biological characteristics. Except for their size, they time, extreme ecosystems. For example, soda lakes have similar physical are, most of the very high salinity and/or alkalinity; crater lakes are deep with a low level of oxygen in the deep layers of the water; in gueltas and chotts, the water is perennial in only a few and the temperature is high; in caves, organisms live in permanent darkness. In relation with these severe conditions, fish have developed physiological and behavioural adaptations that allow them to survive and perpetuate. Thus, specific and usually endemic species inhabit these environments. In some cases, small species flocks exist, as can be observed in the Great Lakes of East Africa. Finally, most of these environments are vulnerable to even minor disturbances. Continued vigilance, protective measures and conservation recommendations must be a high priority to protect them from actual or potential local threats.