02422nas a2200253   4500008004100000245013400041210006900175260008400244300001200328490000700340520147600347653003001823653001901853653001801872653001401890653001401904653001701918653001801935100002201953700001501975700001601990700002502006856013702031       2006                        eng d00aNematode assemblages and their responses to disturbances: a case study from the Emporda wetlands (northeastern Iberian Peninsula)0 aNematode assemblages and their responses to disturbances a case   a1041 NEW HAMSPHIRE STREET, LAWRENCE, KS 66044 USAbNORTH AMER BENTHOLOGICAL SOC  a643-6550 v253 aThe salt marshes of the Emporda wetlands are subjected to both physical variability, caused by hydrological fluctuations, and nutrient variability. We assessed which of these sources of variability most influenced nematode assemblages in 5 basins in the wetlands. One of these basins was permanently inundated, but the hydroperiods of the others were variable. Taxonomic composition and the Maturity Index, which is based on the ecological characteristics of nematodes (r- or K-strategists), were used to describe the assemblages. Variation decomposition analysis showed that nematode assemblages of the Emporda wetlands were more influenced by physical variability (18.2% of explained variation), caused by changes in variables such as conductivity and granulometry, than by nutrient variability (3.4% of explained variation). The Maturity Index of the assemblages was related to hydrological disturbance, but not to eutrophy. Cluster analysis based on taxonomic composition separated the permanent basin from the temporary basins. Nematode diversity and genus richness were significantly higher in the permanent basin than in the temporary basins. We conclude that the Maturity Index is valid for assessing hydrological disturbances in fluctuating Mediterranean environments, whereas assemblage parameters such as diversity and richness may not be because they responded to water permanence but not to other environmental factors associated with hydrologic variability.10ahydrological fluctuations10amaturity Index10aMediterranean10ameiofauna10anematodes10asalt marshes10atrophic level1 aGascon, Stephanie1 aBoix, Dani1 aSala, Jordi1 aQuintana, Xavier, D.  uhttps://nematoda.myspecies.info/content/nematode-assemblages-and-their-responses-disturbances-case-study-emporda-wetlands-northeaste