SF1.1 Underground streams and pools

Biome: SF1. Subterranean freshwaters biome

Contributors:
(texts)

These dark aquatic systems buried below ground have varied levels of connectivity to surface waters, which influence their traits and processes profoundly. Microbial mats composed of bacteria and aquatic fungi on submerged rock surfaces are major food sources for protozoans and invertebrates, especially in systems that are isolated from surface waters. Larger water bodies support predatory fish. When connectivity is strong, inflow brings a supply of nutrients and organic matter, as well as itinerant biota.

Key Features

Water-filled subterranean voids with low diversity of light-limited bacteria, fungi, detrivores and predators..

Overview of distribution

Scattered lobally in limestone or more rarely basalt or other lithic substrates.

Profile versions

• v1.0 (2020-01-20): DA Keith
• v2.0 (2020-06-17): DA Keith; GC Hose
• v2.01 ():
• v2.1 (2022-04-06): DA Keith; GC Hose Full profile available at official site

Main references

Selected references for this functional group:

• Gibert J, Deharveng L (2002) Subterranean ecosystems: a truncated functional biodiversity BioScience 52, 473-481 DOI:10.1641/0006-3568(2002)052[0473:seatfb]2.0.co;2

Diagrammatic assembly model

Diagrammatic assembly model of SF1.1 Underground streams and pools. See general notes on diagrams. Open image full size.

Maps

Maps are indicative of global distribution patterns are not intended to represent fine-scale patterns. The maps show areas of the world containing major (coloured red) or minor occurrences (coloured yellow) of each ecosystem functional group. See general notes on maps.

There are 2 alternative versions of the indicative map for this functional group, please compare description and sources below.

SF1.1.IM.orig_v1.0

Datasets

• Carbonate-rocks-3.0

Map references

• Williams P, Ting Fong Y (2016) World map of carbonate rock outcrops v3.0 The University of Auckland, Auckland. Webpage

SF1.1.web.orig_v1.0

Distributions of Underground streams and pools were based on mapped area of carbonate rock outcrop (Williams & Ting Fong 2016). This. provides an upper limit on the area of exposed karst terrain, as not all carbonate rocks are karstified. Lava tubes and other rocks that may contain these ecosystem functional groups are not shown on this indicative map, but are less extensive than those in carbonate rock. Open image full size.

Datasets

• Carbonate-rocks-3.0

Map references

• Williams P, Ting Fong Y (2016) World map of carbonate rock outcrops v3.0 The University of Auckland, Auckland. Webpage

Back to: Realm overview / Subterranean Realm / Biome overview / SF1. Subterranean freshwaters biome
Check: the Glossary / Profile structure / the public document