In this overview (introductory article to a special issue including 14 papers), we consider all
main types of natural and artificial inland freshwater habitas (fwh). For each type, we identify …

Mediterranean spring ecosystems are unique habitats at the interface between surface
water and groundwater. These ecosystems support a remarkable array of biodiversity and …

Springs are unique aquatic habitats that contribute significantly to local and regional
biodiversity because of their high habitat complexity and the large number of different spring …

This essay discusses the need for, advantages and challenges of integrating the scientific
disciplines of ecology and hydrogeology in the study of groundwater-dependent ecosystems …

The taxonomic identification of organisms based on the amplification of specific genetic
markers (metabarcoding) implicitly requires adequate discriminatory information and …

Spring habitats are highly diverse and have a mosaic microhabitat structure. They are
endangered by diffuse exploitation as drinking-water resources, an impact likely to increase …

Background Protists, single-celled eukaryotic organisms, are critical to food web ecology,
contributing to primary productivity and connecting small bacteria and archaea to higher …

Springs are biodiversity hotspots and unique habitats that are threatened, especially by
water overdraft. Here we review knowledge on ambient-temperature (non-geothermal) …

In the presence of different environmental stressors, diatoms can produce frustules
presenting different types of deformities. Metals and trace elements are among the most …

This study investigated and compared the diatom flora from thermo-mineral springs in
Auvergne (France) and Sardinia (Italy). Samples were collected from rock/cobbles and fine …