66.7 - Thermal springs

Classification des habitats du Paléarctique (2001)

Description

Acid or alkaline springs heated by geothermal energy, located in regions of present or past volcanic activity, producing a continuous flow of water at temperatures significantly above the air temperature. Springs and tepid pools at temperatures below 50ø C may host a few species of specialized animals, those at temperatures between 50ø C and 75ø C harbour bluegreen algae that may form conspicuous mats, those at temperatures above 75ø C are inhabited only by heterotrophic bacteria; the margins of the springs and the water-saturated substrates may host distinctive biotic communities, including superior plants.

Bibliographie

Devillers P., Devillers-Terschuren J. & Vander Linden C., 2001. PHYSIS Palaearctic Habitat Classification Database. Updated to 10 December 2001. Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles, Bruxelles. (Source)

Vanden Berghen, 1969b; Whitten and Brooks, 1972; Cei & al., 1982; Maldonado, 1985; Clark, 1990; Einarsson, 1994; Gudmundsson and Kjartansson, 1996.