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The Case for Studying Highly Modified Agricultural Streams: Farming for Biogeochemical Insights
Author(s) -
Tank Jennifer L.,
Speir Shan L.,
Sethna Lienne R.,
Royer Todd V.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.433
H-Index - 10
eISSN - 1539-6088
pISSN - 1539-607X
DOI - 10.1002/lob.10436
Subject(s) - streams , biogeochemical cycle , agriculture , agroecosystem , environmental science , environmental resource management , ecology , computer science , biology , computer network
A significant fraction of Earth's land surface is used for agriculture, which has led to extensive modification and degradation of streams and rivers. Although highly modified, agricultural streams offer important opportunities for advancing our understanding of agroecosystems and applying the principles of translational ecology. Using examples from the upper midwestern U.S., we discuss how highly modified agricultural streams can be used to gain insights into ecological and biogeochemical processes, though often this involves adjusting the paradigms and approaches used to study streams in less disturbed landscapes. We argue that highly modified agricultural streams could serve as a model for how less disturbed systems might respond to ongoing and future environmental change. Last, these streams often are targets for restoration, which opens the door to engaging with diverse stakeholders, including policymakers and nontraditional funding sources such as philanthropic foundations and industry groups.