Beaver: Nature's ecosystem engineers

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Water, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 8(1)

Published: Nov. 27, 2020

Abstract Beavers have the ability to modify ecosystems profoundly meet their ecological needs, with significant associated hydrological, geomorphological, ecological, and societal impacts. To bring together understanding of role that beavers may play in management water resources, freshwater, terrestrial ecosystems, this article reviews state‐of‐the‐art scientific beaver as quintessential ecosystem engineer. This review has a European focus but examines key research considering both Castor fiber —the Eurasian canadensis —its North American counterpart. In recent decades species reintroductions across Europe, concurrent natural expansion refugia populations led return C. much its range estimating population Europe numbers over 1.5 million individuals. As such, there is an increasing need for impacts intensively populated managed, contemporary landscapes. summarizes how impact: (a) structure geomorphology, (b) hydrology (c) quality, (d) freshwater ecology, (e) humans society. It concludes by examining future considerations be resolved further expand northern hemisphere emphasis upon services they can provide will necessary maximize benefits minimize conflicts. categorized under: Water Life > Nature Freshwater Ecosystems

Language: Английский

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A Review on Bank Retreat: Mechanisms, Observations, and Modeling

Reviews of Geophysics, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 60(2)

Published: June 1, 2022

Abstract Bank retreat plays a fundamental role in fluvial and estuarine dynamics. It affects the cross‐sectional evolution of channels, provides source sediment, modulates diversity habitats. Understanding predicting geomorphological response fluvial/tidal channels to external driving forces underpins robust management water courses protection wetlands. Here, we review bank with respect mechanisms, observations, modeling, covering both rivers (previously neglected) tidal channels. Our encompasses experimental situ observations failure mechanisms rates, modeling approaches numerical methods simulate erosion. We identify that forces, despite their distinct characteristics, may have similar effects on stability river leading same mode. existing data empirical functions for rate across range spatial temporal scales, highlight necessity account hydraulic geotechnical controls. Based time scale considerations, propose new hierarchy styles accounts retreat, clear recommendations enhancing approaches. Finally, discuss systematically feedbacks between morphodynamics, suggest move this agenda forward will require better understanding multifactor‐driven particular attention differences (and similarities) riverine environments, exerted by collapsed soil.

Language: Английский

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Global diversity and energy of animals shaping the Earth’s surface

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 122(8)

Published: Feb. 18, 2025

The collective influence of animals on the processes shaping Earth’s surface remains largely unknown, with most studies limited to individual species and well-known exemplars. To establish global geomorphic significance animals, we systematically reviewed synthesized evidence across freshwater terrestrial ecosystems. Over 600 animal taxa had reported effects. For 495 wild 5 livestock identified level, estimated their abundance, biomass energy. While our census is in scope, a lack research tropics subtropics, less visible leaves them underrepresented analyses. Most are globally widespread, but some rare, endemic, and/or threatened, leading risks that key cease before fully understand them. We estimate agents at ≈0.2 Mt Carbon, equating biological energy content ≈7.6 million GJ. If conservative minimum 1% this contributes work annually, yields an contribution from ≈76,000 GJ—equivalent hundreds thousands extreme floods. Uncertainties estimates partitioning mean value could credibly be order magnitude higher, countless remain unreported or undiscovered. exceed by three orders magnitude. far more influential than previously recognized future losses, dispersal introductions zoogeomorphic may induce substantive landscape changes.

Language: Английский

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Principal threats to the conservation of freshwater habitats in the continental biogeographical region of Central Europe

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 28(14), P. 4065 - 4097

Published: Oct. 15, 2019

Abstract In this paper, we discuss the threats to freshwater habitats that are highly important European Community in Continental Biogeographical Region of Europe, specifically Poland. The study covers nine habitat types distinguished Natura 2000, Annex I Habitats Directive, which is a network nature protection areas territory: standing water bodies (3110, 3130, 3140, 3150, and 3160) running (3260, 3220, 3240, 3270), occurring 806 Special Areas Conservation Of 72,673 km 2 total area covered by 2000 Poland, only 25.70% was classified, from period 2006‒2018, as favourable status, whereas 68.72% classified unfavourable inadequate or bad status. Based on multivariate analysis, found significant differences conservation status resulted variety threats, pressures, activities, among most urbanization residential commercial development; transportation service corridors; decreased unstable resources; fishing harvesting aquatic agricultural pollution; improper management use catchment forest catchment; changes biocenotic evolution, invasive species succession, more intense touristic exploration. 3110, 3160, 3260 also associated with climate change. Taking into account identified, list recommended practices for presented, be considered programmes.

Language: Английский

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Hydrodynamics of Meander Bends in Intertidal Mudflats: A Field Study From the Macrotidal Yangkou Coast, China

Water Resources Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 58(12)

Published: Nov. 21, 2022

Abstract Meandering channels are ubiquitous features in intertidal mudflats and play a key role the eco‐morphosedimentary evolution of such landscapes. However, hydrodynamics morphodynamic these poorly known, direct flow measurements virtually nonexistent to date. Here, we present new hydroacoustic data collected synchronously at different sites along mudflat meander located macrotidal Yangkou tidal flat (Jiangsu, China) over an 8‐day period. The studied bend exhibits overall dominance flood flows, with velocity surges about 0.8 m/s occurring immediately below bankfull stage during both ebb tides. Unlike salt‐marsh channels, velocities attain nearly constant, sustained values as long flows remain confined within channel reduce significantly overbank stages. In contrast, curvature‐induced cross‐sectional more pronounced Thus, phase lag exists between streamwise cross‐stream maxima, which limits transfer secondary likely hinders formation helical entire length. Our results support earlier suggestions that morphodynamics meanders does not strongly depend on is most driven by high sustains seepage late‐ebb stages, well other tidally‐mediated processes waves intense rainfall events. By unraveling complex structures intertwined processes, our provide first step toward better understanding meanders, relevant implications for their planform characteristics dynamic evolution.

Language: Английский

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Rewilding and the water cycle

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Water, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10(6)

Published: Aug. 8, 2023

Abstract Rewilding is a radical approach to landscape conservation that has the potential help mitigate flood risk and low flow stresses, but this remains largely unexplored. Here, we illustrate nature of hydrological changes rewilding can be expected deliver through reducing or ceasing land management, natural vegetation regeneration, species (re)introductions, river networks. This includes major above‐ below‐ground structure (and hence interception, evapotranspiration, infiltration, hydraulic roughness), soil properties, biophysical channels. The novel, complex, uncertain, longer‐term rewilding‐driven change generates some key challenges, currently relatively constrained in geographical extent. Significant water cycle benefit people are possible there an urgent need for improved understanding prediction trajectories their effects, generation knowledge tools facilitate stakeholder engagement, extension geography opportunities. article categorized under: Science Water > Hydrological Processes Extremes Life Conservation, Management, Awareness

Language: Английский

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Features of the Distribution of Beaver Dams and Ponds along Small Rivers: The Volga-Kama Region, European Russia

Hydrology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(4), P. 53 - 53

Published: April 9, 2024

In this paper, by using GNSS technologies, some features of the distribution and morphometric parameters dams ponds created Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.) along ten rivers Volga-Kama region European Russia were identified. Detected depend on geomorphological, lithological, landscape these their basins. The significant role river slopes, as well zoning, in small study is shown. under study, almost all constructions are located riverbed slopes less than 3% (most often, 2%). south forest zone (the southern taiga Vyatka River basin), majority (about 90%) 1%, while, within uplands forest-steppe zone, location varies depending length rivers. general, greater average slope elevation lower, other things being equal, degree transformation such This feature better expressed flowing zone. Analysis shows statistically trends towards an increase height, channel increase. Statistically also identified a decrease associated ponds, with slopes. It noteworthy that critical values for relatively sharp change 1.45%, 1.07 (or 0.54)%, 0.65 0.47)%, respectively. greatest heights confined to those where basins composed loamy rocks/soils (especially poorly plowed), compared “sandy” may be due peculiarities ratio surface underground water runoff and, consequence, different intensities snowmelt- rainfall-induced flood flow. We assume above-mentioned reflect early stages expansion (population growth) studied

Language: Английский

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Contrasting Effects of Increasing Invasive Crayfish Densities on Competing Submerged Macrophytes in Shallow Lakes

Freshwater Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 70(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Non‐native crayfish are among the most widespread aquatic invasive species worldwide. High densities of in lakes can potentially cause complete loss macrophytes through herbivory, physical destruction, shading by suspension sediments and nutrient release facilitating phytoplankton, thus altering ecosystem state functions. However, lower may affect different macrophyte ways, competition between with growth forms. We hypothesize that high completely destroy submerged communities shift systems into more turbid conditions whereas low promote low‐growing compete canopy‐forming species. To test these hypotheses, we applied three (2, 4, 8 m −2 ) Procambarus clarkii a control (no crayfish) to 36 mesocosms monocultures mixed stands for 60 days. measured concentrations nutrients, suspended solids, phytoplankton periphyton above‐ belowground biomass Vallisneria natans Hydrilla verticillata . In addition, conducted meta‐analysis impacts on compare effect sizes densities. Using data from published studies, derived relationship density crayfish‐induced reductions abundance. Our revealed significant decline increasing line existing caused strong both increased concentrations, sediment, favouring an conditions. Low medium reduced similarly monocultures. cultures, (2 H. than V. , supporting our hypothesis. This support occurred despite temporal facilitation biomass. results show impact invasions ecosystems is strongly dependent their density. facilitate increase likelihood collapse state. provide competitive advantage would otherwise be outcompeted Although eradication often impossible, management target have positive effects invaded ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Hidden engineers of the earth: Investigating the geomorphic impacts of small fossorial rodents in the Vaud Pre-Alps, Switzerland

CATENA, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 250, P. 108798 - 108798

Published: Feb. 5, 2025

Language: Английский

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Soil is alive – how does soil biota influence soil mechanical properties? A perspective review

Biogeotechnics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 100175 - 100175

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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