Freshwater systems and ecosystem services: Challenges and chances for cross-fertilization of disciplines

AMBIO, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 51(1), P. 135 - 151

Published: May 13, 2021

Freshwater ecosystems are among the most threatened in world, while providing numerous essential ecosystem services (ES) to humans. Despite their importance, research on freshwater is limited. Here, we examine how studies could help advance ES and vice versa. We summarize major knowledge gaps suggest solutions focusing science policy Europe. found several features that unique ecosystems, but often disregarded assessments. Insufficient transfer of towards stakeholders also problematic. Knowledge implementation seems be less effective South-east Focusing strengths regarding connectivity, across borders, involving multiple actors can improve a more dynamic, landscape-level approach, which believe boost concept policies. Bridging these contribute achieve ambitious targets EU's Green Deal.

Language: Английский

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Riparian Buffers as a Critical Landscape Feature: Insights for Riverscape Conservation and Policy Renovations

Diversity, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 14(3), P. 172 - 172

Published: Feb. 27, 2022

Riparian zones are critical for functional integrity of riverscapes and conservation riverscape biodiversity. The synergism intermediate flood-induced disturbances, moist microclimates, constant nutrient influx, high productivity, resource heterogeneity make riparian disproportionately rich in vegetation intercepts surface-runoff, filters pollutants, supplies woody debris as well coarse particulate organic matter (e.g., leaf litter) to the stream channel. provide habitat climatic refugia wildlife. Numerous applications have been implemented riparian-buffer conservation. Although fixed-width buffers widely applied a measure, effectiveness these fixed buffer widths is debatable. As an alternative buffers, we suggest adoption variable widths, which include multiple tiers that vary structure ecological function, with each tier subjected management interventions land-use restrictions. design proposed can be delineated throughout watershed, harmonizes concept, thus, prudent approach preserve biodiversity ecosystem functions at spatial extents. We posit remodeling existing policies into broader framework keystone riverscape. Watershed-scale compatible landscape-scale fluvial systems, freshwater protected-area networks, aligns enhancing environmental resilience global change. Sustainable multiple-use strategies retrofitted watershed-scale reservations may harmonize socio-economic goals those

Language: Английский

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Reviving Europe's rivers: Seven challenges in the implementation of the Nature Restoration Law to restore free‐flowing rivers

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Water, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(3)

Published: Jan. 30, 2024

Abstract The EU Nature Restoration Law represents an important opportunity for freshwater habitat restoration and, consequently, biodiversity protection. However, a number of challenges must be anticipated in its implementation, which may compromise success. Some aspects, particularly those relating to ecosystems, require more clarification. We use riverine ecosystems illustrate existing ambiguities the proposed legislation and potential consequences leaving these aspects open interpretation during implementation process. also discuss solutions problems could help ensure that law's objectives are met. argue river network structure connectivity dimensions, result into meta‐ecosystems, explicitly considered. For purpose, we ask clear definitions critical terms “free‐flowing rivers,” “barriers,” “reference areas.” In addition, recommend developing methods integrated assessment across networks. As key property this used prioritize actions increase length free‐flowing rivers. Adequate planning at larger spatial scales will benefit from meta‐ecosystem perspective accurate representation aquatic‐terrestrial linkages, significantly improve efficacy efforts. Furthermore, stakeholder citizen engagement offer opportunities local, national, European scales, should fostered inclusive decision‐making. conservation outlined here rivers, but they have implications other ecosystems. These considerations useful policymakers, conservationists, stakeholders involved related policy initiatives. This article is categorized under: Water Life > Stresses Pressures on Ecosystems Conservation, Management, Awareness Human Governance

Language: Английский

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The River Continuum Concept: lessons from the past and perspectives for the future

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 77(11), P. 1853 - 1864

Published: July 31, 2020

The River Continuum Concept (RCC) is a milestone in stream ecology because of its comprehensive evaluation the structure and function lotic ecosystems. Linking physical geomorphological attributes with patterns biodiversity, functional traits, metabolism dynamics, this theory describes downstream gradients community composition ecosystem processes. aim review to evaluate how RCC, 40 years from publication Canadian Journal Fisheries Aquatic Sciences, has influenced basic applied research ecology, focusing on most important contributions recent developments. This work puts into perspective historical importance RCC scientific process integrates past theories, including metacommunity metaecosystem theories river network perspective, predict taxonomic diversity benthic communities. Thus, provides unifying overview context field for exploring ecological questions next generation ecologists.

Language: Английский

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Riverscape approaches in practice: perspectives and applications

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 97(2), P. 481 - 504

Published: Nov. 10, 2021

ABSTRACT Landscape perspectives in riverine ecology have been undertaken increasingly the last 30 years, leading aquatic ecologists to develop a diverse set of approaches for conceptualizing, mapping and understanding ‘riverscapes’. Spatiotemporally explicit rivers their biota nested within socio‐ecological landscape now provide guiding principles inland fisheries watershed management. During two decades, scientific literature on riverscapes has increased rapidly, indicating that term associated are serving an important purpose freshwater science We trace origins theoretical foundations riverscape examine trends published assess state demonstrate how they being applied address recent challenges management ecosystems. focus studying visualizing streams with remote sensing, modelling sampling designs enable pattern detection as seen from above (e.g. river channel, floodplain, riparian areas) but also into water itself organisms aqueous environment). Key concepts central heterogeneity, scale (resolution, extent scope) connectivity (structural functional), which underpin spatial temporal aspects study design, data collection analysis. Mapping physical biological characteristics floodplains high‐resolution, spatially intensive techniques improves causes ecological consequences patterns at multiple scales. This information is crucial managing ecosystems, especially successful implementation conservation, restoration monitoring programs. Recent advances field‐sampling geospatial technology making it feasible collect high‐resolution over larger scales space time. highlight opportunities discuss future avenues research emerging tools can potentially help overcome obstacles collecting, analysing displaying these data. synthesis intended researchers resource managers understand apply real‐world problems

Language: Английский

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River fragmentation and flow alteration metrics: a review of methods and directions for future research

Environmental Research Letters, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 15(12), P. 123009 - 123009

Published: Nov. 18, 2020

Abstract Rivers continue to be harnessed meet humanity’s growing demands for electricity, water, and flood control. While the socioecological impacts of river infrastructure projects (RIPs) have been well-documented, methodological approaches quantify fragmentation flow alteration vary widely in spatiotemporal scope, required data, interpretation. In this review, we first present a framework visualise effects different kinds RIPs on alteration. We then review available methods connectivity alteration, along with their data requirements, scale application, advantages, disadvantages. Finally, decision-making trees help stakeholders select among these based objectives, resource availability, characteristics project(s) being evaluated. Thematic searches peer-reviewed literature using topic-relevant keywords were conducted Google Scholar. The bibliography selected papers was also reviewed, resulting selection 79 publications. Papers that did not define or apply specific metric excluded. With respect fragmentation, focused instream excluded those dealing overland hydrologic connections. For quantified extent aimed at prescribing environmental flows. expected hydrological consequences various RIP types ‘mapped’ conceptual fragmentation-flow plot. compiled 29 metrics 13 used develop facilitate method selection. Despite recent advances development, further work is needed better understand relationships between metrics, assess ecological significance more informative can effectively applied data-scarce regions. These objectives are especially critical given use such basin-wide conservation development planning.

Language: Английский

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The geography of metapopulation synchrony in dendritic river networks

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 24(4), P. 791 - 801

Published: Feb. 22, 2021

Abstract Dendritic habitats, such as river ecosystems, promote the persistence of species by favouring spatial asynchronous dynamics among branches. Yet, our understanding how network topology influences metapopulation synchrony in these ecosystems remains limited. Here, we introduce concept fluvial synchrogram to formulate and test expectations regarding geography across watersheds. By combining theoretical simulations an extensive fish population time‐series dataset Europe, provide evidence that metapopulations can be buffered against synchronous a direct consequence connectivity branching complexity. Synchrony was higher between populations connected water flow decayed faster with distance over Euclidean than watercourse dimension. Likewise, headwater mainstem same basin. As directionality generate fundamental patterns metapopulations, empirical synchrograms aid knowledge advancement inform conservation strategies complex habitats.

Language: Английский

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Freshwater fish biodiversity restoration in floodplain rivers requires connectivity and habitat heterogeneity at multiple spatial scales

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 838, P. 156509 - 156509

Published: June 4, 2022

With a sixth mass extinction looming and freshwater biodiversity declining at unprecedented rates, evaluating ecological efficacy of river restoration efforts is critical in combatting global loss. Here, we present comprehensive study the functioning for fishes 46 projects Rhine, one world's most heavily engineered lowland rivers. Floodplains with permanent, either one- or two-sided lateral connectivity to main channel, favour total fish abundance, are essential as nursery areas riverine fishes. Habitat heterogeneity had strong positive effect on species richness but was negatively related abundances. However, effects environmental variables varied between groups spatial scales. Surprisingly, rheophilic declined large-scale habitat (~1000 m), while it increased small scales (~100 possibly because presence unfavourable habitats this group larger Clearly, there no one-size-fits-all design projects. Whether section free-flowing impounded dictates scope and, within section, multiple complementary might be key mitigate An element success that these should retain permanent connection channel.

Language: Английский

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Analyzing the critical locations in response of constructed and planned dams on the Mekong River Basin for environmental integrity

Environmental Research Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 4(10), P. 101001 - 101001

Published: Sept. 22, 2022

Abstract Massive hydropower dams in the Mekong river basin ( MRB ) have triggered substantial debate and international attention due to its utmost importance on maintaining ecology biodiversity. Although numerous studies been conducted assess consequences of existing proposed dams, combined effects biodiversity ecosystems received limited attention. In this study, we focused dam’s locations suitability overall River Network order comprehend environmental ecological integrity as a whole. Overall, identified harmful their associated sub-basins based notion connectivity. The vulnerability is well recognized, our findings generally provide additional theoretical support for protection.

Language: Английский

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Riverine bacterioplankton and phytoplankton assembly along an environmental gradient induced by urbanization

Limnology and Oceanography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 67(9), P. 1943 - 1958

Published: July 8, 2022

Abstract Longitudinal environmental heterogeneity and directionality of the water movement are key features that may exert contrasting forces on riverine plankton assembly. Directionality strengthens dispersal‐driven assembly, but this can be masked by urbanization‐induced along river continuum. In light contrast, we aimed at delineating relative importance assembly processes generating distribution patterns bacterioplankton phytoplankton communities in a draining an urbanizing watershed Southeast China. We applied variation partitioning analysis, neutral community model, quantitative process estimate molecular morphological data obtained over years 2012–2016. Despite relatively short distance between sampling sites (< 20 km), similarity decreased with increasing from upstream pristine site toward downstream urban area, formed clusters roughly corresponded to five habitat patches, predefined based hydrology longitudinal landscape change. These were predominantly driven deterministic stochastic for bacterioplankton, respectively, indicating balance dispersal due fluvial connectivity local selective pressures. Considering global loss fragmentation flow regulation, our findings imply plankton‐based ecological approaches could useful hedge against uncertain future rivers watersheds ecologically sustainable way.

Language: Английский

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