The Biological Assessment and Rehabilitation of the World’s Rivers: An Overview

Water, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 13(3), С. 371 - 371

Опубликована: Янв. 31, 2021

The biological assessment of rivers i.e., their through use aquatic assemblages, integrates the effects multiple-stressors on these systems over time and is essential to evaluate ecosystem condition establish recovery measures. It has been undertaken in many countries since 1990s, but not globally. And where national or multi-national monitoring networks have gathered large amounts data, poor water body classifications necessarily resulted rehabilitation rivers. Thus, here we aimed identify major gaps worldwide by focusing best examples Asia, Europe, Oceania, North, Central, South America. Our study showed that it possible so far draw a world map ecological quality Biological streams only implemented officially nation-wide regularly European Union, Japan, Republic Korea, Africa, USA. In Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand, Singapore at state/province level (in some cases using common protocols) catchments even once define reference conditions (Australia). other cases, driven specific problem, impact assessments, licenses, need rehabilitate river section (as Brazil, Australia). programs explored research teams mostly catchment local (e.g., Mexico, Chile, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam) citizen science groups Southern Gambia, East Canada). existing large-extent assessments show striking loss biodiversity last 2-3 decades Japanese Zealand 42% 70% fish species threatened endangered, respectively). A (below Good condition) exists 25% Korean rivers, half bodies, 44% USA while Australia 30% reaches sampled were significantly impaired 2006. Regarding rehabilitation, greatest implementation occurred North America, Northern Singapore, Korea. Most measures related improving connectivity for improvement riparian vegetation. limited extent most (i.e., considering entire catchment) often constrains condition. Yet, projects also lack pre-and/or post-monitoring condition, which prevents assessing success shortcomings Economic constraints are cited limitation implementing actions, followed technical limitations, knowledge fauna flora life-history traits (especially America Mexico), awareness decision-makers. On hand, involvement recognized as key sustainability projects. establishing needs, defining clear goals, tracking progress towards achieving them, involving populations stakeholders recommendations (Table 1). Large-extent long-term provide realistic overview worldwide. Soon, DNA samples eDNA investigate diversity could contribute reducing costs thus increase efforts more complete biodiversity. Finally, propose developing transcontinental elaborate improve guidelines financial frameworks managing international catchments. We recommend providing such expert United Nations Environment Program aid extension biomonitoring, bioassessment,

Язык: Английский

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Fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages reveal extensive degradation of the world's rivers

Global Change Biology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 29(2), С. 355 - 374

Опубликована: Сен. 22, 2022

Rivers suffer from multiple stressors acting simultaneously on their biota, but the consequences are poorly quantified at global scale. We evaluated biological condition of rivers globally, including largest proportion countries Global South published to date. gathered macroinvertebrate- and fish-based assessments 72,275 37,676 sites, respectively, 64 study regions across six continents 45 nations. Because were based differing methods, different systems consolidated into a 3-class system: Good, Impaired, or Severely following common guidelines. The sites in each class by area was calculated region assigned Köppen-Geiger climate type, Human Footprint score (addressing landscape alterations), Development Index (HDI) social welfare), % with good ambient water quality, protected freshwater key biodiversity areas; forest net change rate. found that 50% macroinvertebrate 42% fish Good condition, whereas 21% 29% respectively. poorest conditions occurred Arid Equatorial climates best Snow climates. Impaired associated (Pearson correlation coefficient) higher HDI scores, poorer physico-chemical lower proportions areas. quality increased forested It is essential implement statutory bioassessment programs Asian, African, American countries, continue them Oceania, Europe, North America. There need invest fish, as there less information globally strong indicators degradation. Our highlights increase extent number river catchments, preserve restore natural areas treat wastewater discharges, improve connectivity.

Язык: Английский

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Improving river hydromorphological assessment through better integration of riparian vegetation: Scientific evidence and guidelines

Journal of Environmental Management, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 292, С. 112730 - 112730

Опубликована: Май 12, 2021

River hydromorphology has long been subjected to huge anthropogenic pressures with severe negative impacts on related ecosystems' functioning and water quality. Therefore, improving river hydromorphological conditions represents a priority task in sustainable management requires proper assessment tools. It is well known that riparian vegetation plays crucial role sustaining conditions. However, it nearly neglected most protocols, including the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). This paper reviews synthesizes relevance of for hydromorphology, focusing its contribution streamflow sediment regime We also examine how considered WFD included national protocols currently use. Our findings point temporal mismatch between date when came into force emergence scientific technologic advances dynamism bio-geomorphic modeling. To overcome this misalignment, we present promising approaches characterization vegetation, which include identification units indicators at multiple scales support restoration measures. discuss complexity assessment, particularly respect establishment river-type-based reference monitoring targets, propose some attributes can serve as novel naturalness vs. artificiality vegetation. argue context should be revisited offer guidance integrate assessment.

Язык: Английский

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Depopulation impacts on ecosystem services in Mediterranean rural areas

Ecosystem Services, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 52, С. 101369 - 101369

Опубликована: Окт. 9, 2021

Despite the exponential increase in human population at global scale, some rural areas have experienced a progressive abandonment over last decades. Under particular socioecological and policy contexts, changes demography may promote land-use and, consequently, alter ecosystem services (ES) supply. However, most studies on this topic targeted urban increase, whereas depopulation has been rarely addressed. Here, we examined how shifts demographic variables (human population, density, number of villages) affect provisioning (water supply, food biomass production) regulating (soil retention, water nutrient regulation) ES Mediterranean with contrasting environmental, socioeconomic contexts. When results underuse socio-ecological systems, expected decrease an ES, opposite pattern when it intensification. To test hypothesis, compared data estimated Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) linked to between 1950s 2000s three Aragón (NE Spain). Generalized Additive Mixed Models Linear Mixed-Effect were used analyze trends, relationship them. We found severe (−42% inhabitants) associated areas, which was particularly evident isolated mountainous zones (−63% inhabitants). Depopulation trends significantly affected land use all evaluated. In depopulated rewilding resulted regulation (>1000%) soil retention (>400%). contrast, agriculture intensified more fertile easy-to-access lowland boosting production service (>600%). Accordingly, interactions among depopulation, crop should be considered management schemes policies targeting for balanced sustainable supply long term.

Язык: Английский

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Threats, biodiversity drivers and restoration in temperate floodplain forests related to spatial scales

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 854, С. 158743 - 158743

Опубликована: Сен. 13, 2022

Floodplain forests offer a diversity of habitats and resources for very wide range plant animal species. They also many benefits to humankind are considered essential the mitigation effects climate change. Nevertheless, throughout world they suffering most intense anthropogenic pressures so are, all ecosystems, among endangered. Here, we bring together synthesise existing ecological understanding mechanisms underlying high heterogeneity temperate floodplain threatening their biological value due habitat homogenisation. depend on periodic disturbances under which evolved, including fluvial dynamics, traditional management practices activities herbivores. However, have been heavily degraded by change, invasion exotic species, river-flow regulation, landscape fragmentation, eutrophication cessation management. We can now observe two general trends in forests: (1) Due intensive exploitation, more open thus prone spread competitive invasive exotics (2) management, along with modified hydrological conditions, composed species later successional stages (i.e., shade-tolerant mesic) while light-demanding quickly vanishing. Restoration brought about contrasting results when restoration floodplains natural states has problematic. This is likely because interplay between various artificial processes not previously taken into proper consideration. would like draw attention fact that projects or preservation forest ecosystems should combine watercourses other important threats acting at different scales (spread watersheds inappropriate management).

Язык: Английский

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Conceptual model of global plants entrapping plastics

Environmental Reviews, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 32(4), С. 470 - 484

Опубликована: Май 11, 2024

Aquatic plants, seagrasses, macrophytes, mangroves, and riparian vegetation are responsible for some of the most important ecosystem services provided on Earth. Given their role in trapping plastics along rivers, we propose a new service plastic entrapment by global plants. Although research started recently to study plastics, little is known about patterns retention remobilization through different habitats. those gaps, synthesize data plants providing conceptual model describe processes vegetation. Our results demonstrate how has pivotal entrapping across spatial temporal scales, finding higher density rather than adjacent water area. Furthermore, proposed (i.e., Plant Plastic Pathway) highlighting scales release Thus, anticipate our be starting point more sophisticated future studies, putting effort into looking at plastic–vegetation dynamics. may have crucial effect if applied hotspot area detection with clean-up mitigation actions riverine ecosystems.

Язык: Английский

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Environmental benefits and changes in ecosystem services of climate-smart agriculture relative to conventional agriculture in Norway

Journal of Environmental Management, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 377, С. 124633 - 124633

Опубликована: Фев. 21, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Review of the effect of river vegetation on sediment transport and river morphology and erosion prevention

ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 1 - 11

Опубликована: Фев. 23, 2025

River systems play a crucial role in transporting water, sediment, and organic matter from the upper catchments to downstream. Among various processes shaping river channels, bedload transport, involving movement of coarse sediment particles along bed, is fundamental. The presence Vegetation channels significantly impacts transport dynamics shows both supportive obstructive effects on dynamics. This review focuses impact vegetation erosion prevention, including hydraulic, geomorphic, ecological relationships. provides detailed overview current literature, addressing hydraulic implications flow shear stress distribution, its deposition, trapping, stabilization, for channel morphology bar growth, complex feedback mechanisms among vegetation, hydraulics, transport. In conclusion, this represents significant knowledge deficiencies proposes approaches future research experience investigate interplay between fluvial systems.

Язык: Английский

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Functional responses of aquatic invertebrates to anthropogenic stressors in riparian zones of Neotropical savanna streams

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 753, С. 141865 - 141865

Опубликована: Авг. 22, 2020

Язык: Английский

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The utility of spatial data to delineate river riparian functions and management zones: A review

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 757, С. 143982 - 143982

Опубликована: Дек. 2, 2020

Язык: Английский

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