The Ter, a Mediterranean river system in Spain

Abstract

Irregular hydrology and human influences are common features in the Mediterranean river systems in Spain. The two affect both the water characteristics and the distributional patterns of the organisms. Current research on functional aspects of undisturbed tributaries is ultimately directed to give light to the behaviour of Mediterranean rivers. Analysis of nutrient dynamics and epilithon metabolism is being performed in two low-order tributaries under different environmental conditions (essentially light and substrata). Results are discussed with respect to the special character of the Mediterranean rivers.