Evaluating biotic interactions in a hard and fragile ecosystem: xerophilous land snails and epilithic cryptogram communities in rocky outcrops

In biodiversity hotspots like rocky outcrops, species distribution is shaped by environmental factors at multiple scales, with microhabitat characteristics like substrate composition and shelter playing key roles. These fragile ecosystems host a rich diversity of species, including endemic and endan...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Gavarró, Paula, Bros i Catón, Vicenç, Sáez, Llorenç, Santos, Xavier, Real, Joan, Pons i Julià, Daniel, Puig-Gironès, Roger
Formato: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2026
País:España
Recursos:Universidad de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/227787
Acesso em linha:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/227787
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Cargols (Zoologia)
Hàbitat (Ecologia)
Snails (Zoology)
Habitat (Ecology)
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spelling Evaluating biotic interactions in a hard and fragile ecosystem: xerophilous land snails and epilithic cryptogram communities in rocky outcropsGavarró, PaulaBros i Catón, VicençSáez, LlorençSantos, XavierReal, JoanPons i Julià, DanielPuig-Gironès, RogerCargols (Zoologia)Hàbitat (Ecologia)Snails (Zoology)Habitat (Ecology)In biodiversity hotspots like rocky outcrops, species distribution is shaped by environmental factors at multiple scales, with microhabitat characteristics like substrate composition and shelter playing key roles. These fragile ecosystems host a rich diversity of species, including endemic and endangered taxa. However, they remain underexplored in conservation research, despite their crucial role in sustaining xerophilic biodiversity. This study investigates the environmental drivers of xerophilous communities, specifically on land snails and epilithic cryptograms, in a Mediterranean Natural Park. Specifically, we examine how substrate composition influences species assemblages and their biotic relationship. Our field data and statistical models reveal that substrate heterogeneity, comprising conglomerates, pebbles, and sand, creates microclimatic conditions that support diverse communities. Land snails are particularly associated with larger pebbles that provide shelter and moisture retention, while epilithic species thrive on conglomerates and finer materials that stabilize microhabitats. Minimal overlap in habitat preferences between snails and epilithic suggests niche partitioning and complex biotic interactions, highlighting the importance of substrate diversity in sustaining biodiversity. From a conservation perspective, we propose conservation strategies focussed on preserving substrate structural diversity within rocky outcrops to maintain vital habitat features for xerophilous species. Management policies should integrate microhabitat-scale considerations to enhance ecosystem resilience and mitigate disturbances from human and wildlife activities. This research not only advances our understanding of invertebrate ecology in extreme habitats but also offers valuable insights for the conservation of other biodiversity-rich ecosystems facing similar challenges.Elsevier2026info:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionapplication/pdfhttps://hdl.handle.net/2445/227787Articles publicats en revistes (Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals)reponame:Dipòsit Digital de la UBinstname:Universidad de BarcelonaInglésReproducció del document publicat a: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actao.2025.104153Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology, 2026, vol. 130https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actao.2025.104153cc by-nc-nd (c) Gavarró, Paula et al., 2026http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessoai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/2277872026-05-27T06:46:51Z
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Evaluating biotic interactions in a hard and fragile ecosystem: xerophilous land snails and epilithic cryptogram communities in rocky outcrops
title Evaluating biotic interactions in a hard and fragile ecosystem: xerophilous land snails and epilithic cryptogram communities in rocky outcrops
spellingShingle Evaluating biotic interactions in a hard and fragile ecosystem: xerophilous land snails and epilithic cryptogram communities in rocky outcrops
Gavarró, Paula
Cargols (Zoologia)
Hàbitat (Ecologia)
Snails (Zoology)
Habitat (Ecology)
title_short Evaluating biotic interactions in a hard and fragile ecosystem: xerophilous land snails and epilithic cryptogram communities in rocky outcrops
title_full Evaluating biotic interactions in a hard and fragile ecosystem: xerophilous land snails and epilithic cryptogram communities in rocky outcrops
title_fullStr Evaluating biotic interactions in a hard and fragile ecosystem: xerophilous land snails and epilithic cryptogram communities in rocky outcrops
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating biotic interactions in a hard and fragile ecosystem: xerophilous land snails and epilithic cryptogram communities in rocky outcrops
title_sort Evaluating biotic interactions in a hard and fragile ecosystem: xerophilous land snails and epilithic cryptogram communities in rocky outcrops
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Gavarró, Paula
Bros i Catón, Vicenç
Sáez, Llorenç
Santos, Xavier
Real, Joan
Pons i Julià, Daniel
Puig-Gironès, Roger
author Gavarró, Paula
author_facet Gavarró, Paula
Bros i Catón, Vicenç
Sáez, Llorenç
Santos, Xavier
Real, Joan
Pons i Julià, Daniel
Puig-Gironès, Roger
author_role author
author2 Bros i Catón, Vicenç
Sáez, Llorenç
Santos, Xavier
Real, Joan
Pons i Julià, Daniel
Puig-Gironès, Roger
author2_role author
author
author
author
author
author
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv Cargols (Zoologia)
Hàbitat (Ecologia)
Snails (Zoology)
Habitat (Ecology)
topic Cargols (Zoologia)
Hàbitat (Ecologia)
Snails (Zoology)
Habitat (Ecology)
description In biodiversity hotspots like rocky outcrops, species distribution is shaped by environmental factors at multiple scales, with microhabitat characteristics like substrate composition and shelter playing key roles. These fragile ecosystems host a rich diversity of species, including endemic and endangered taxa. However, they remain underexplored in conservation research, despite their crucial role in sustaining xerophilic biodiversity. This study investigates the environmental drivers of xerophilous communities, specifically on land snails and epilithic cryptograms, in a Mediterranean Natural Park. Specifically, we examine how substrate composition influences species assemblages and their biotic relationship. Our field data and statistical models reveal that substrate heterogeneity, comprising conglomerates, pebbles, and sand, creates microclimatic conditions that support diverse communities. Land snails are particularly associated with larger pebbles that provide shelter and moisture retention, while epilithic species thrive on conglomerates and finer materials that stabilize microhabitats. Minimal overlap in habitat preferences between snails and epilithic suggests niche partitioning and complex biotic interactions, highlighting the importance of substrate diversity in sustaining biodiversity. From a conservation perspective, we propose conservation strategies focussed on preserving substrate structural diversity within rocky outcrops to maintain vital habitat features for xerophilous species. Management policies should integrate microhabitat-scale considerations to enhance ecosystem resilience and mitigate disturbances from human and wildlife activities. This research not only advances our understanding of invertebrate ecology in extreme habitats but also offers valuable insights for the conservation of other biodiversity-rich ecosystems facing similar challenges.
publishDate 2026
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2026
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
format article
status_str publishedVersion
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv https://hdl.handle.net/2445/227787
url https://hdl.handle.net/2445/227787
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv Inglés
language_invalid_str_mv Inglés
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv Reproducció del document publicat a: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actao.2025.104153
Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology, 2026, vol. 130
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actao.2025.104153
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv cc by-nc-nd (c) Gavarró, Paula et al., 2026
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
rights_invalid_str_mv cc by-nc-nd (c) Gavarró, Paula et al., 2026
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv application/pdf
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv Elsevier
publisher.none.fl_str_mv Elsevier
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv Articles publicats en revistes (Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals)
reponame:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
instname:Universidad de Barcelona
instname_str Universidad de Barcelona
reponame_str Dipòsit Digital de la UB
collection Dipòsit Digital de la UB
repository.name.fl_str_mv
repository.mail.fl_str_mv
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score 15,811543

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