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

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Water, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 11(3)

Опубликована: Янв. 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

Язык: Английский

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Multi-Interacting Natural and Anthropogenic Stressors on Freshwater Ecosystems: Their Current Status and Future Prospects for 21st Century

Water, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 16(11), С. 1483 - 1483

Опубликована: Май 23, 2024

The inheritance of historic human-induced disruption and the fierceness its impact change aquatic ecosystems. This work reviews some main stressors on freshwater ecosystems, focusing their effects, threats, risks, protection, conservation, management elements. An overview is provided water protection linked to stressors: solar ultraviolet radiation, thermal pollution, nanoparticles, radioactive salinization, nutrients, sedimentation, drought, extreme floods, fragmentation, pesticides, war terrorism, algal blooms, invasive plants, riparian vegetation, fish. Altogether, these build an exceptionally composite background that are continuously changing ecosystems diminishing or even destroying capability create maintain ongoing natural healthy products essential services humans. Environmental human civilization sustainability cannot exist without proper all over planet; this specific impossible if widespread studied not deeply understood structurally functionally. Without considering each synergisms, Earth’s doomed in terms both quantitative qualitative aspects.

Язык: Английский

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Animal migration in the Anthropocene: threats and mitigation options

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 99(4), С. 1242 - 1260

Опубликована: Март 4, 2024

ABSTRACT Animal migration has fascinated scientists and the public alike for centuries, yet migratory animals are facing diverse threats that could lead to their demise. The Anthropocene is characterised by reality humans dominant force on Earth, having manifold negative effects biodiversity ecosystem function. Considerable research focus been given assessing anthropogenic impacts numerical abundance of species/populations, whereas relatively less attention devoted animal migration. However, there clear linkages, example, where human‐driven behaviour can population/species declines or even extinction. Here, we explore (in all domains – aquatic, terrestrial, aerial) using International Union Conservation Nature (IUCN) Threat Taxonomy classifications. We reveal (e.g. human development, disease, invasive species, climate change, exploitation, pollution) impact wildlife in varied ways spanning taxa, life stages type from direct mortality changes behaviour, health, physiology). Notably, these often interact complex unpredictable detriment wildlife, further complicating management. Fortunately, beginning identify strategies conserving managing Anthropocene. provide a set that, if embraced, have potential ensure animals, important ecological functions sustained migration, persist.

Язык: Английский

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Impacts of climate-induced drought on lake and reservoir biodiversity and ecosystem services: A review

AMBIO, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 8, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Integrated water availability in the conterminous United States, 2010–20

USGS professional paper, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Язык: 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, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 838, С. 156509 - 156509

Опубликована: Июнь 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.

Язык: Английский

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Evaporation enhancement drives the European water-budget deficit during multi-year droughts

Hydrology and earth system sciences, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 26(6), С. 1527 - 1543

Опубликована: Март 22, 2022

Abstract. In a warming climate, periods with lower than average precipitation will increase in frequency and intensity. During such periods, known as meteorological droughts, the decline annual runoff may be proportionally larger corresponding precipitation. Reasons behind this exacerbation of deficit during dry remain largely unknown, challenges predictability when occur future how intense it be. work, we tested hypothesis that droughts is common feature across climates, driven by evaporation enhancement. We relied on multidecadal records streamflow for more 200 catchment areas various European which distinctively show emergence similar exacerbated identified previous studies, i.e. order −20 % to −40 less what expected from deficits. The magnitude two three times basins located regions wet regions, qualitatively correlated an +11 +33 over characterized energy-limited water-limited regimes, respectively. Thus, enhanced atmospheric vegetation demand moisture induces nonlinear precipitation-runoff relationship low-flow results unexpectedly large decrease already low water availability. Forecasting onset, magnitude, duration these drops have paramount societal ecological implications, especially given their supporting role safeguarding water, food, energy. outcome are prone climates regimes makes further understanding its patterns urgent priority water-resource planning management drier climate.

Язык: Английский

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Bending the curve of global freshwater biodiversity loss: what are the prospects?

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Сен. 2, 2024

ABSTRACT Freshwater biodiversity conservation has received substantial attention in the scientific literature and is finally being recognized policy frameworks such as Global Biodiversity Framework its associated targets for 2030. This important progress. Nonetheless, freshwater species continue to be confronted with high levels of imperilment widespread ecosystem degradation. An Emergency Recovery Plan (ERP) proposed 2020 comprises six measures intended “bend curve” loss, if they are widely adopted adequately supported. We review evidence suggesting that combined intensity persistent emerging threats become so serious current projected efforts preserve, protect restore inland‐water ecosystems may insufficient avert losses coming decades. In particular, climate change, complex harmful impacts, will frustrate attempts prevent from already affected by multiple threats. Interactions among these limit recovery populations exacerbate declines resulting local or even global extinctions, especially low‐viability degraded fragmented ecosystems. addition impediments represented we identify several other areas where absolute scarcity fresh water, inadequate information predictive capacity, a failure mitigate anthropogenic stressors, liable set limits on biodiversity. Implementation ERP rapidly at scale through many dispersed actions focused regions intense threat, together an intensification ex‐situ efforts, necessary preserve native during increasingly uncertain climatic future which poorly understood, emergent interacting have more influential. But implementation must accompanied improve energy food security humans – without further compromising condition Unfortunately, political policies arrest environmental challenges change do not inspire confidence about possible success ERP. parts world, Anthropocene seems certain include extended periods uncontaminated surface runoff inevitably appropriated humans. Unless there step‐change societal awareness commitment biodiversity, established methods protecting bend curve enough continued degradation loss.

Язык: Английский

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Ontogenetic shifts by juvenile fishes highlight the need for habitat heterogeneity and connectivity in river restoration

Limnology and Oceanography, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 28, 2025

Abstract Large‐scale anthropogenic river modifications have caused the loss of critical floodplain nursery habitats for riverine fish, leading to population declines. Restoration efforts been implemented recover these habitats, but with varying success. Understanding how larval and juvenile fish use in dynamic environments is essential improving restoration strategies. We assessed ontogenetic shifts habitat by young‐of‐the‐year fishes lower Rhine, analyzing 2167 samples across 18 restored floodplains over three growing seasons (2018–2020). Five distinct were identified: (1) exposed, fast‐flowing coarse substrate; (2) turbid, nonflowing areas high turbidity chlorophyll; (3) shallow, vegetated macrophytes shoreline vegetation; (4) deeper, sheltered structural complexity; (5) slow‐flowing areas. Habitat shifted significantly ontogeny species. Larvae generally preferred shallow (< 50‐cm depth), either (e.g., asp, ide, monkey goby, nase, whitefin gudgeon) or zones bleak, bitterling, bream, round zander). Juveniles increasingly used deeper (> favoring barbel, ide), Our findings thus highlight importance heterogeneity connectivity biodiversity. strategies should prioritize creation a mosaic low‐velocity larvae, alongside fast‐flowing, juveniles. Additionally, movement rheophilic species from main channel emphasizes need maintaining continuous between river.

Язык: Английский

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Variation in Salmon Migration Phenology Bolsters Population Stability but Is Threatened by Drought

Ecology Letters, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 28(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Intrapopulation variation in movement is common nature but its effects on population dynamics are poorly understood. Using data from 3270 individually‐marked fish representing nine cohorts of coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch ) California, we show that bimodal intrapopulation the timing juvenile down‐migration their natal habitat and subsequent residence non‐natal affects growth, emigration timing, abundance stability adult returns. Non‐natal (early down‐migrants) exhibited more variable growth earlier to estuary than (late down‐migrants). While rearing was common, were overrepresented among returns, total returns 1.4 times stable alone. Our results demonstrate migratory behaviour bolsters stability. However, reduced low water years, suggesting drought exacerbates instability by reducing critical variation.

Язык: Английский

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