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Integrating ecology with hydromorphology: a priority for river science and management

Integrating ecology with hydromorphology: a priority for river science and management
Integrating ecology with hydromorphology: a priority for river science and management
1. The assessment of links between ecology and physical habitat has become a major issue in river research and management. Key drivers include concerns about the conservation implications of human modifications (e.g. abstraction, climate change) and the explicit need to understand the ecological importance of hydromorphology as prescribed by the EU's Water Framework Directive. Efforts are focusing on the need to develop eco-hydromorphology at the interface between ecology, hydrology and fluvial geomorphology. Here, the scope of this emerging field is defined, some research and development issues are suggested, and a path for development is sketched out. 2. In the short term, major research priorities are to use existing literature or data better to identify patterns among organisms, ecological functions and river hydromorphological character. Another early priority is to identify model systems or organisms to act as research foci. In the medium term, the investigation of pattern-processes linkages, spatial structuring, scaling relationships and system dynamics will advance mechanistic understanding. The effects of climate change, abstraction and river regulation, eco-hydromorphic resistance/resilience, and responses to environmental disturbances are likely to be management priorities. Large-scale catchment projects, in both rural and urban locations, should be promoted to concentrate collaborative efforts, to attract financial support and to raise the profile of eco-hydromorphology. 3. Eco-hydromorphological expertise is currently fragmented across the main contributory disciplines (ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, flood risk management, civil engineering), potentially restricting research and development. This is paradoxical given the shared vision across these fields for effective river management based on good science with social impact. A range of approaches is advocated to build sufficient, integrated capacity that will deliver science of real management value over the coming decades.
ecology, geomorphology, hydrology, hydromorphology, rivers, water framework directive
1052-7613
113-125
Vaughn, I.P.
3cdf011b-0598-4301-8a89-c2dfa1df2311
Diamond, M.
6901f6f9-89e5-4a4b-a5d4-a851bcd9d7e9
Gurnell, A.M.
8f63a73b-1113-4f36-b18f-86396860a60d
Hall, K.A.
bf291d01-8ae7-4fce-9626-e73d47bbd117
Jenkins, A.
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Milner, N.J.
d4a57c55-e5e1-448d-94c6-a2acca225a79
Naylor, L.A.
f7ad4a24-fdc6-4981-ac45-9c272f88cdc1
Sear, D.A.
ccd892ab-a93d-4073-a11c-b8bca42ecfd3
Woodward, G.
a297c375-7e5f-42d5-97f2-e5276daa89d5
Ormerod, S.J.
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Vaughn, I.P.
3cdf011b-0598-4301-8a89-c2dfa1df2311
Diamond, M.
6901f6f9-89e5-4a4b-a5d4-a851bcd9d7e9
Gurnell, A.M.
8f63a73b-1113-4f36-b18f-86396860a60d
Hall, K.A.
bf291d01-8ae7-4fce-9626-e73d47bbd117
Jenkins, A.
477dd540-bc7e-4d2f-a7f8-aec2f2098650
Milner, N.J.
d4a57c55-e5e1-448d-94c6-a2acca225a79
Naylor, L.A.
f7ad4a24-fdc6-4981-ac45-9c272f88cdc1
Sear, D.A.
ccd892ab-a93d-4073-a11c-b8bca42ecfd3
Woodward, G.
a297c375-7e5f-42d5-97f2-e5276daa89d5
Ormerod, S.J.
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Vaughn, I.P., Diamond, M., Gurnell, A.M., Hall, K.A., Jenkins, A., Milner, N.J., Naylor, L.A., Sear, D.A., Woodward, G. and Ormerod, S.J. (2009) Integrating ecology with hydromorphology: a priority for river science and management. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 19 (1), 113-125. (doi:10.1002/aqc.895).

Record type: Article

Abstract

1. The assessment of links between ecology and physical habitat has become a major issue in river research and management. Key drivers include concerns about the conservation implications of human modifications (e.g. abstraction, climate change) and the explicit need to understand the ecological importance of hydromorphology as prescribed by the EU's Water Framework Directive. Efforts are focusing on the need to develop eco-hydromorphology at the interface between ecology, hydrology and fluvial geomorphology. Here, the scope of this emerging field is defined, some research and development issues are suggested, and a path for development is sketched out. 2. In the short term, major research priorities are to use existing literature or data better to identify patterns among organisms, ecological functions and river hydromorphological character. Another early priority is to identify model systems or organisms to act as research foci. In the medium term, the investigation of pattern-processes linkages, spatial structuring, scaling relationships and system dynamics will advance mechanistic understanding. The effects of climate change, abstraction and river regulation, eco-hydromorphic resistance/resilience, and responses to environmental disturbances are likely to be management priorities. Large-scale catchment projects, in both rural and urban locations, should be promoted to concentrate collaborative efforts, to attract financial support and to raise the profile of eco-hydromorphology. 3. Eco-hydromorphological expertise is currently fragmented across the main contributory disciplines (ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, flood risk management, civil engineering), potentially restricting research and development. This is paradoxical given the shared vision across these fields for effective river management based on good science with social impact. A range of approaches is advocated to build sufficient, integrated capacity that will deliver science of real management value over the coming decades.

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More information

Published date: February 2009
Keywords: ecology, geomorphology, hydrology, hydromorphology, rivers, water framework directive

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 66704
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/66704
ISSN: 1052-7613
PURE UUID: ba06420e-ba20-4115-b58f-318c23236289
ORCID for D.A. Sear: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-0191-6179

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 13 Jul 2009
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 02:37

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Contributors

Author: I.P. Vaughn
Author: M. Diamond
Author: A.M. Gurnell
Author: K.A. Hall
Author: A. Jenkins
Author: N.J. Milner
Author: L.A. Naylor
Author: D.A. Sear ORCID iD
Author: G. Woodward
Author: S.J. Ormerod

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