Abstract | The volcanic and tectonic lakes of the eastern branch of the African Great Rift Valley are
exposed to multiple stressors and characterised by different levels of hydrological
connectivity. Past volcanic activity generated endorheic basins, in which the nature of the
bedrock, its connection with groundwater, and local climatic conditions, favoured the
formation of highly alkaline soda waters. While little is known about their nutrient
dynamics, most lakes in this area experience considerable microbial blooms and harbour
diverse and specifically adapted microbial populations, some of which could embody novel
biotechnological potential.
Here we review the geochemical and (micro)biological features of a cluster of lakes
distributed within the East African Rift, ranging from fresh to hypersaline, under different
levels of hydrological connectivity. Possibly no other location on Earth has a comparable
range of lake types in close proximity to each other and representing such a remarkable
microbial biodiversity. Environmental heterogeneity and habitat connectivity among
adjacent aquatic ecosystems may have positive implications in terms of regional
environmental stability by enhancing the overall carrying capacity, i.e. the resilience to
various forms of impact, contributing to biodiversity protection.
Within these ecosystems, microbial processes encompass the entire basis of their primary
production, in particular those driven by cyanobacteria. Combining a multi-disciplinary
ecohydrological approach with a biogeochemical investigation of the principles underlying
their functioning, our study can contribute to the development of appropriate environmental
protection measures to effectively maintain their natural capital. |
Authors | Fazi S., A. Butturini, F. Tassi, S. Amalfitano, S. Venturi, E. Vazquez, M. Clokie, S.W. Wanjala, N. Pacini, D. Harper |
Text | 378994 2018 Saline alkaline lakes Rift Valley Biogeochemistry Bacteria Ecological connectivity Biogeochemistry and biodiversity in a network of saline alkaline lakes implications of ecohydrological connectivity in the Kenyan Rift Valley Fazi S., A. Butturini, F. Tassi, S. Amalfitano, S. Venturi, E. Vazquez, M. Clokie, S.W. Wanjala, N. Pacini, D. Harper a Water Research Institute, National Research Council IRSA CNR , Roma, Italy b Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain c Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy d Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, National Research Council IGG CNR , Firenze, Italy e Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, UK f Lake Naivasha Riparian Association, Kenya g Department of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Calabria, Rende CS, Italy h Aquatic Ecosystem Services, Ltd., Drabblegate, Aylsham, Norfolk, United Kingdom The volcanic and tectonic lakes of the eastern branch of the African Great Rift Valley are exposed to multiple stressors and characterised by different levels of hydrological connectivity. Past volcanic activity generated endorheic basins, in which the nature of the bedrock, its connection with groundwater, and local climatic conditions, favoured the formation of highly alkaline soda waters. While little is known about their nutrient dynamics, most lakes in this area experience considerable microbial blooms and harbour diverse and specifically adapted microbial populations, some of which could embody novel biotechnological potential. Here we review the geochemical and micro biological features of a cluster of lakes distributed within the East African Rift, ranging from fresh to hypersaline, under different levels of hydrological connectivity. Possibly no other location on Earth has a comparable range of lake types in close proximity to each other and representing such a remarkable microbial biodiversity. Environmental heterogeneity and habitat connectivity among adjacent aquatic ecosystems may have positive implications in terms of regional environmental stability by enhancing the overall carrying capacity, i.e. the resilience to various forms of impact, contributing to biodiversity protection. Within these ecosystems, microbial processes encompass the entire basis of their primary production, in particular those driven by cyanobacteria. Combining a multi disciplinary ecohydrological approach with a biogeochemical investigation of the principles underlying their functioning, our study can contribute to the development of appropriate environmental protection measures to effectively maintain their natural capital. 18 Published version Biogeochemistry and biodiversity in a network of saline alkaline lakes implications of ecohydrological connectivity in the Kenyan Rift Valley FAZI.pdf Articolo in rivista Versita 2080 3397 Ecohydrology Hydrobiology Online Ecohydrology Hydrobiology Online Ecohydrology Hydrobiol. Online Ecohydrology Hydrobiology. Online Ecohydrology and Hydrobiology Online francotassi TASSI FRANCO stefano.fazi FAZI STEFANO stefano.amalfitano AMALFITANO STEFANO |