Assessing biodiversity in temporary and permanent wetlands

Wetland classification and assessment of conservation significance are based on criteria that generally exclude one of the largest components of biodiversity in lentic systems: the invertebrates. Preliminary data are presented on sampling efficiency and methods required to describe invertebrate diversity in temporary and permanent wetlands. Data collected from four freshwater meadows highlight the distinctive nature of temporary wetlands with each wetland showing a considerable change in faunal composition between sampling events and a high level of distinctiveness.