Mechanistic effects of low-flow hydrology on riverine ecosystems: ecological principles and consequences of alteration
@inproceedings{Rolls2012MechanisticEO, title={Mechanistic effects of low-flow hydrology on riverine ecosystems: ecological principles and consequences of alteration}, author={Robert J. Rolls and Catherine Leigh and Fran Sheldon}, booktitle={Freshwater Science}, year={2012} }
Abstract. Alterations to the natural flow regime affect the structure and function of rivers and wetlands and contribute to loss of biodiversity worldwide. Although the effects of flow regulation have been relatively well studied, a lack of synthesis of the ecological consequences of low flows and droughts impedes research progress and our grasp of the mechanistic effects of human-induced water reductions on riverine ecosystems. We identified 6 ecologically relevant hydrological attributes of…
253 Citations
Environmental and Ecological Effects of Flow Alteration in Surface Water Ecosystems
- Environmental Science
- 2017
Advancing towards functional environmental flows for temperate floodplain rivers.
- Environmental ScienceThe Science of the total environment
- 2018
The importance of context dependence for understanding the effects of low-flow events on fish
- Environmental ScienceFreshwater Science
- 2016
3 main sources of context dependence are proposed that drive the variation in fish responses to low-flow events: attributes of the low- flow event, attributes ofthe habitat, and attributes ofThe fish.
Combined effects of climate change and dam construction on riverine ecosystems
- Environmental ScienceEcological Engineering
- 2018
Environmental flows in the context of unconventional natural gas development in the Marcellus Shale.
- Environmental ScienceEcological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America
- 2017
This study clarifies how additional water demands in the Marcellus Shale region may adversely affect freshwater biological integrity and makes clear that policies to limit or prevent water withdrawals from smaller streams can reduce the risk of ecosystem impairment.
A Quantitative Framework to Derive Robust Characterization of Hydrological Gradients
- Environmental Science
- 2016
If ecological management of river ecosystems is to keep pace with increasing pressure to abstract, divert and dam, we must develop general flow–ecology relationships to predict the impacts of these…
The ecology of rivers with contrasting flow regimes: identifying indicators for setting environmental flows
- Environmental Science
- 2014
The scientific basis for setting environmental flows is still hampered by our incomplete understanding of flow–ecology relationships and how river ecology varies with flow regime. We conducted a…
Effects of flow regime on benthic algae and macroinvertebrates - A comparison between regulated and unregulated rivers.
- Environmental ScienceThe Science of the total environment
- 2017
Effects of flow regime on the distribution, richness and abundance of alien plants in braided rivers of New Zealand
- Environmental Science
- 2016
Effects of flow regime on the distribution, richness and abundance of alien plants in braided rivers of New Zealand by Tyler Jacob Brummer Braided river floodplains in the Canterbury Plains of New…
Influence of Flow on Community Structure and Production of Snag‐Dwelling Macroinvertebrates in an Impaired Low‐Gradient River
- Environmental Science
- 2016
The natural flow regime of rivers has been altered throughout the world in a variety of ways, with many alterations resulting in reduced flows. While restoring impaired systems remains a societal…
References
SHOWING 1-10 OF 226 REFERENCES
Basic Principles and Ecological Consequences of Altered Flow Regimes for Aquatic Biodiversity
- Environmental ScienceEnvironmental management
- 2002
This literature review has focused this literature review around four key principles to highlight the important mechanisms that link hydrology and aquatic biodiversity and to illustrate the consequent impacts of altered flow regimes.
Flow regime alteration effects on the organic C dynamics in semiarid stream ecosystems
- Environmental ScienceHydrobiologia
- 2009
The amount of processed carbon respect the amount entering the ecosystem was affected by extreme events such as floods and droughts, but the relevance of those events differed along the year, with a maximal effect during the litterfall period.
A review of the consequences of decreased flow for instream habitat and macroinvertebrates
- Environmental Science, EngineeringJournal of the North American Benthological Society
- 2007
Abstract The effects of drought on stream invertebrates have been reviewed, but the effects of artificially reduced flows have not. We addressed this knowledge gap by reviewing the literature on the…
Hydrological changes and ecological impacts associated with water resource development in large floodplain rivers in the Australian tropics
- Environmental Science
- 2008
The majority of rivers in the Australian tropics possess near‐natural flow regimes and are an ecological asset of global significance. We examined flow variability in large floodplain rivers in the…
The ecological limits of hydrologic alteration (ELOHA): a new framework for developing regional environmental flow standards
- Environmental Science
- 2007
SUMMARY 1. The flow regime is a primary determinant of the structure and function of aquatic and riparian ecosystems for streams and rivers. Hydrologic alteration has impaired riverine ecosystems on…
FLOW–SEDIMENT–BIOTA RELATIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR RIVER REGULATION EFFECTS ON NATIVE FISH ABUNDANCE
- Environmental Science
- 2002
Alteration of natural flow regimes by river regulation affects fish distribution and assemblage structure, but causative pathways are not always direct and may go un- recognized. The Colorado River…
Sequential floods drive 'booms' and wetland persistence in dryland rivers: a synthesis
- Environmental Science
- 2010
Flow is a key driver regulating processes and diversity in river systems across a range of temporal and spatial scales. In dryland rivers, variability in the timing and scale of floods has specific…
Rivers as groundwater-dependent ecosystems: a review of degrees of dependency, riverine processes and management implications
- Environmental Science
- 2006
More effective management of groundwater-dependent ecosystems into the future can result only from a better understanding of the mechanisms of the dependency, how these vary among river types and what in-stream changes might be predicted from alteration of groundwater inputs.
Disturbance regimes, resilience, and recovery of animal communities and habitats in lotic ecosystems
- Environmental Science
- 1990
Disturbance regime is a critical organizing feature of stream communities and ecosystems. The position of a given reach in the river basin and the sediment type within that reach are two key…
Role of refugia in recovery from disturbances: Modern fragmented and disconnected river systems
- Environmental Science
- 1990
Habitats or environmental factors that convey spatial and temporal resistance and/or resilience to biotic communities that have been impacted by biophysical disturbances may be called refugia. Most…