A function-based typology for Earth’s ecosystems

Nature, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 610(7932), P. 513 - 518

Published: Oct. 12, 2022

Abstract As the United Nations develops a post-2020 global biodiversity framework for Convention on Biological Diversity, attention is focusing how new goals and targets ecosystem conservation might serve its vision of ‘living in harmony with nature’ 1,2 . Advancing dual imperatives to conserve sustain services requires reliable resilient generalizations predictions about responses environmental change management 3 Ecosystems vary their biota 4 , service provision 5 relative exposure risks 6 yet there no globally consistent classification ecosystems that reflects functional management. This hampers progress developing sustainability goals. Here we present International Union Conservation Nature (IUCN) Global Ecosystem Typology, conceptually robust, scalable, spatially explicit approach functions, biota, remedies across entire biosphere. The outcome major cross-disciplinary collaboration, this novel places all Earth’s into unifying theoretical context guide transformation policy from local scales. information infrastructure will support knowledge transfer ecosystem-specific restoration, standardized risk assessments, natural capital accounting framework.

Language: Английский

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Pervasive changes in stream intermittency across the United States

Environmental Research Letters, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 16(8), P. 084033 - 084033

Published: July 29, 2021

Abstract Non-perennial streams are widespread, critical to ecosystems and society, the subject of ongoing policy debate. Prior large-scale research on stream intermittency has been based long-term averages, generally using annually aggregated data characterize a highly variable process. As result, it is not well understood if, how, or why hydrology non-perennial changing. Here, we investigate trends drivers three signatures that describe duration, timing, dry-down period across continental United States (CONUS). Half gages exhibited significant trend through time in at least one signatures, changes no-flow duration were most pervasive (41% gages). Changes substantial for many streams, 7% annual exceeding 100 days during study period. Distinct regional patterns change evident, with widespread drying southern CONUS wetting northern CONUS. These correlated aridity, though spatiotemporal variability diverse signatures. While timing strongly related climate, was watershed land use physiography. Our results indicate conditions increasing prevalence over much binary classifications ‘perennial’ ‘non-perennial’ an accurate reflection this change. Water management should reflect changing nature both today future.

Language: Английский

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Spatial Patterns and Drivers of Nonperennial Flow Regimes in the Contiguous United States

Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 48(2)

Published: Jan. 26, 2021

Abstract Over half of global rivers and streams lack perennial flow, understanding the distribution drivers their flow regimes is critical for hydrologic, biogeochemical, ecological functions. We analyzed nonperennial using 540 U.S. Geological Survey watersheds across contiguous United States from 1979 to 2018. Multivariate analyses revealed regional differences in no‐flow fraction, date first no duration dry‐down period, with further divergence between natural human‐altered watersheds. Aridity was a primary driver metrics at continental scale, while unique combinations climatic, physiographic anthropogenic emerged scales. Dry‐down showed stronger associations nonclimate compared fraction timing. Although sparse gages limits our such streams, examined here suggest important role aridity land cover change modulating future stream drying.

Language: Английский

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River ecosystem conceptual models and non‐perennial rivers: A critical review

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Water, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 7(5)

Published: Aug. 28, 2020

Abstract Conceptual models underpin river ecosystem research. However, current focus on continuously flowing rivers and few explicitly address characteristics such as flow cessation drying. The applicability of existing conceptual to nonperennial that cease (intermittent ephemeral streams, IRES) has not been evaluated. We reviewed 18 models, finding they collectively describe main drivers biogeochemical ecological patterns processes longitudinally (upstream‐downstream), laterally (channel‐riparian‐floodplain), vertically (surface water‐groundwater), temporally across local landscape scales. perennial are continuous while IRES discontinuous. Whereas have bidirectional lateral connections between aquatic terrestrial ecosystems, in IRES, this connection is unidirectional for much the time, from terrestrial‐to‐aquatic only. Vertical connectivity surface subsurface water occurs bidirectionally consistent rivers. exchange variable, can become during drying or rewetting phases. Finally, adds another dimension variation be considered temporal spatial scales flooding a spatially dynamic process Here, we ways which could modified accommodate fundamental alter these dimensions streams. This perspective needed support science management our era rapid global change, including increasing duration, frequency, occurrence article categorized under: Water Life > Nature Freshwater Ecosystems Stresses Pressures Science Hydrological Processes

Language: Английский

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A global synthesis of human impacts on the multifunctionality of streams and rivers

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 28(16), P. 4783 - 4793

Published: May 17, 2022

Human impacts, particularly nutrient pollution and land-use change, have caused significant declines in the quality quantity of freshwater resources. Most global assessments concentrated on species diversity composition, but effects multifunctionality streams rivers remain unclear. Here, we analyse most comprehensive compilation stream ecosystem functions to date provide an overview responses uptake, leaf litter decomposition, productivity, food web complexity six globally pervasive human stressors. We show that stressors inhibited functioning for stressor-function pairs. Nitrate uptake efficiency was affected by 347% due agriculture. However, concomitant negative positive were common even within a given pair. Some part this variability effect direction could be explained structural heterogeneity landscape latitudinal position streams. Ranking their absolute revealed all studied stressors, with wastewater effluents (194%), agriculture (148%), urban land use (137%) having strongest effects. Our results demonstrate are at risk losing functional backbone if persist contemporary intensity, freshwaters critical services humans rely on. advocate more studies multiple improve understanding impacts. Finally, management must shift its focus toward ecological function-based approach needs develop strategies maintaining or restoring rivers.

Language: Английский

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Global mapping of freshwater nutrient enrichment and periphyton growth potential

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: Feb. 27, 2020

Periphyton (viz. algal) growth in many freshwater systems is associated with severe eutrophication that can impair productive and recreational use of water by billions people. However, there has been limited analysis periphyton at a global level. To predict where nutrient over-enrichment undesirable occurs, we combined several databases to model map dissolved total nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P) concentrations, climatic catchment characteristics for up 1406 larger rivers were analysed between 1990 2016. We 31% the landmass contained catchments may exhibit levels growth. Almost three-quarters (76%) was caused P-enrichment mapped dominated agricultural land North South America Europe containing 1.7B In contrast, due N-enrichment parts Africa Middle East India affecting 280 M The findings this modelling approach be used landowners policy makers better target investment actions finer spatial scales remediate poor quality owing

Language: Английский

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Organic Matter Decomposition and Ecosystem Metabolism as Tools to Assess the Functional Integrity of Streams and Rivers–A Systematic Review

Water, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 12(12), P. 3523 - 3523

Published: Dec. 15, 2020

Streams and rivers provide important services to humans, therefore, their ecological integrity should be a societal goal. Although encompasses structural functional integrity, stream bioassessment rarely considers ecosystem functioning. Organic matter decomposition metabolism are prime candidate indicators of here we review each these functions, the methods used for determination, strengths limitations bioassessment. We also systematic studies that have addressed organic (88 studies) (50 since year 2000. Most were conducted in temperate regions. Bioassessment based on mostly leaf litter coarse-mesh bags, but fine-mesh bags common, cotton strips wood frequent New Zealand. Ecosystem was most often open-channel method single-station approach. performed well at detecting environmental change (≈75% studies), with performances varying between 50 100% depending type change; both functions sensitive restoration practices examined. Finally, examples where tools complement assessments integrity. With this review, hope facilitate widespread incorporation processes into programs broader aim more effectively managing river ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Macroecology of macrophytes in the freshwater realm: Patterns, mechanisms and implications

Aquatic Botany, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 168, P. 103325 - 103325

Published: Nov. 6, 2020

Language: Английский

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Towards an improved understanding of biogeochemical processes across surface-groundwater interactions in intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams

Earth-Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 220, P. 103724 - 103724

Published: June 25, 2021

Surface-groundwater interactions in intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES), waterways which do not flow year-round, are spatially temporally dynamic because of alternations between flowing, non-flowing dry hydrological states. Interactions surface groundwater often create mixing zones with distinct redox gradients, potentially driving high rates carbon nutrient cycling. Yet a complete understanding how underlying biogeochemical processes across surface-groundwater flowpaths IRES differ among various states remains elusive. Here, we present conceptual framework relating spatial temporal variability water-groundwater to processing hotspots IRES. We combine review theIRES biogeochemistry literature concepts hydrogeomorphology to: (i) outline common distinctions IRES; (ii) use these distinctions, together considerations carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus cycles within IRES, predict the relative potential for different reach-scale (flowing water, fragmented pools, hyporheic zones, groundwater, emerged sediments); (iii) explore entire networks. Our approach estimates greatest when reaches into isolated water highlights relatively understudied such as sediments. Furthermore, fluvial networks dominated by is likely more than variable. conclude that research would benefit from focusing on cycles, states, consideration network architecture. outlines opportunities advance studies expand

Language: Английский

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Perils of life on the edge: Climatic threats to global diversity patterns of wetland macroinvertebrates

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 820, P. 153052 - 153052

Published: Jan. 19, 2022

Language: Английский

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