Plant Diversity In Traditional Irrigation Channels And Its Relations With Soil Properties

This study is proposed as a first characterization of edaphic properties and plant biodiversity of acequias systems as indicators of trophic richness and provision of ecosystem services. Soils, water, and vegetation were sampled from six different traditional irrigation channels in the province of Granada, Spain. In general, the soils presented moderate-high values of organic matter, sandy-loam textures, high cation exchange capacity and basic pH. There were local differences, given by the original substrates (concentrations of carbonates, clay and Mg+2, Na+ and K+) or by the species present (organic matter and nitrogen). The canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), indicated that the measured variables explained 39.2% of the sample variability, the most important variable being the concentration of carbonates, as for the rest, most of it is thought to be explained by the differences in management. Species abundance and richness seemed to benefit from competition-limiting factors, with the diversity index being inversely proportional to carbonates. Several species of agro-economic importance and wild crop relatives were inventoried that in addition to the generation of soil and carbon sequestration denote the key role of the acequias for the maintenance of the trophic nets and the durability of the agrarian systems.