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The river drying concept: a new ecohydrological perspective and conceptual model for stream networks of the Anthropocene
Citation:
Allen, D., T. Datry, A. Boulton, K. Costigan, K. Fritz, A. Pastor, B. Ruddell, E. Bernhardt, K. Boersma, M. Bogan, M. Busch, D. Bruno-Callados, W. Dodds, S. Godsey, J. Jones, T. Kaltova, S. Kampf, M. Mims, T. Neeson, J. Olden, L. Poff, A. Ruhi, G. Singer, A. Uzan, P. Vezza, A. Ward, AND M. Zimmer. The river drying concept: a new ecohydrological perspective and conceptual model for stream networks of the Anthropocene. 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, Salt Lake City, UT, May 19 - 23, 2019.
Impact/Purpose:
The purpose is to review current conceptual models for stream ecology and hydrology, assess whether or not non-perennial streams fit into these models and provide associated eco-evidence. We develop a new eco-hydrological perspective that adapts stream conceptual models for entire river networks that contain both perennial and not. One that could be used by scientists, managers, and stakeholders to study, manage, and protect perennial and intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams.
Description:
Almost every stream conceptual framework or model used today has arisen from synthesizing studies of perennial streams. And yet intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams represent ~50% of global stream length and are becoming more prevalent in many areas. We now know that virtually every stream network will experience flow cessation and/or drying at some point in space or time. We also now know that the hydrology, biogeochemistry, and biodiversity of intermittent and ephemeral streams and rivers are often very different from perennial ones, challenging some of the central assumptions of previous stream conceptual frameworks and models. This calls for a paradigm shift to one that explicitly acknowledges the role of flow cessation and drying in governing the structure and function of stream networks. Here we review existing stream conceptual frameworks and models. We use this rich history to extend previous tenets of stream conceptual frameworks and models to a new ecohydrological perspective and conceptual model for stream networks, one that includes flow cessation and drying as primary drivers of stream ecosystem structure, functions, and services in a human-dominated epoch.
