There are animals that, due to their behavior and activities, perform and have a special function in ecosystems. It can help other species to grow, keep soils aerated or, as is the case with flamenco, to purify water.
The flamingo walks in a peculiar way and, together with their excrement, they help the microbial purification of organic matter in saline wetlands. Do you want to know more about flamingos?
Flamingos and wetlands
Flamingo droppings and surface waves created by flamingos as they pass through wetland waters improve water quality by reducing nitrogen loading.
An international team of scientists led by the University of Granada, including scientists from the Doñana Biological Station-CSIC, from the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra Nature Reserve, from the University of Twente (Holland) and the University of British Columbia (Canada), have analyzed the influence of flamingos on the microbial processes of the Fuente de Piedra lagoon (Málaga) during a humid hydrological year and another dry year.
Saline wetlands are ecosystems that act as natural filters, since due to their composition, they are capable of mineralizing organic matter. Thanks to this, the nitrogen load they receive is reduced, making them quite efficient systems.
Isabel Reche, one of the scientists who has worked on this research, affirms that the water purification function is carried out by the microorganisms found in its water column and in its sediments and, with this, they generally improve the quality of the water and reduce nitrogen loading by promoting denitrification.
Protect wetlands
Wetlands must be protected since they are a source of biodiversity and a refuge for the young of numerous aquatic and other migratory birds, such as the common flamingo.
Droughts caused by climate change are causing damage to wetlands, since the surface area is reduced as there is no greater volume of water. Despite the importance of the purifying activity of flamingos, they only perform this function when the year is wet.
With climate change, the years are getting drier and the most important wetlands around the world are drying up.