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River ecosystem conceptual models and non‐perennial rivers: A critical review
Author(s) -
Allen Daniel C.,
Datry Thibault,
Boersma Kate S.,
Bogan Michael T.,
Boulton Andrew J.,
Bruno Daniel,
Busch Michelle H.,
Costigan Katie H.,
Dodds Walter K.,
Fritz Ken M.,
Godsey Sarah E.,
Jones Jeremy B.,
Kaletova Tatiana,
Kampf Stephanie K.,
Mims Meryl C.,
Neeson Thomas M.,
Olden Julian D.,
Pastor Amandine V.,
Poff N. LeRoy,
Ruddell Benjamin L.,
Ruhi Albert,
Singer Gabriel,
Vezza Paolo,
Ward Adam S.,
Zimmer Margaret
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
wiley interdisciplinary reviews: water
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.413
H-Index - 24
ISSN - 2049-1948
DOI - 10.1002/wat2.1473
Subject(s) - environmental science , riparian zone , hydrology (agriculture) , streams , perennial stream , floodplain , ephemeral key , ecosystem , streamflow , temporal scales , perennial plant , ecology , habitat , geography , geology , computer science , biology , drainage basin , computer network , geotechnical engineering , cartography
Conceptual models underpin river ecosystem research. However, current models focus on continuously flowing rivers and few explicitly address characteristics such as flow cessation and drying. The applicability of existing conceptual models to nonperennial rivers that cease to flow (intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams, IRES) has not been evaluated. We reviewed 18 models, finding that they collectively describe main drivers of biogeochemical and ecological patterns and processes longitudinally (upstream‐downstream), laterally (channel‐riparian‐floodplain), vertically (surface water‐groundwater), and temporally across local and landscape scales. However, perennial rivers are longitudinally continuous while IRES are longitudinally discontinuous. Whereas perennial rivers have bidirectional lateral connections between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, in IRES, this connection is unidirectional for much of the time, from terrestrial‐to‐aquatic only. Vertical connectivity between surface and subsurface water occurs bidirectionally and is temporally consistent in perennial rivers. However, in IRES, this exchange is temporally variable, and can become unidirectional during drying or rewetting phases. Finally, drying adds another dimension of flow variation to be considered across temporal and spatial scales in IRES, much as flooding is considered as a temporally and spatially dynamic process in perennial rivers. Here, we focus on ways in which existing models could be modified to accommodate drying as a fundamental process that can alter these patterns and processes across spatial and temporal dimensions in streams. This perspective is needed to support river science and management in our era of rapid global change, including increasing duration, frequency, and occurrence of drying. This article is categorized under: Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on Ecosystems Science of Water > Hydrological Processes