An Irrigation Canal as a Lotic Mesocosm: Examining the Relationship between Macroinvertebrate Benthos and Drift

Koetsier, Peter; McCauley, Luana M. M.

doi:10.3398/064.075.0303

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…A future increase in the acceptance of novel ecosystems might allow the creation of new types of waterbodies designed to provide similarly novel suites of ecosystem services [10,150]. Even the tendency for less regulation of more highly and accidentally modified [23,29,30] and smaller waterbodies [7,8], particularly in the U.S., constitutes an opportunity; this quality could make them comparatively easy and low-cost systems in which to study, test, and implement novel ecological design ideas [148,151,152]. Together with the repetitive design and construction of many such waterbodies, like ditches and ponds, the manipulability of artificial aquatic ecosystems makes them prime sites for natural experiments [153] and designed experiments [148].…”

Section: Monitoring Learning and Iterationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Together with the repetitive design and construction of many such waterbodies, like ditches and ponds, the manipulability of artificial aquatic ecosystems makes them prime sites for natural experiments [153] and designed experiments [148]. Irrigation canals can serve as "lotic mesocosms", ideal because of their known histories, predictability, and accessibility [152]. Ditch network structure recently served as a good system within which to model possible alternative stable states in primary producer structure [154].…”

Section: Monitoring Learning and Iterationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Artificial Aquatic Ecosystems

Clifford

Heffernan

2018

Water

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Abstract:As humans increasingly alter the surface geomorphology of the Earth, a multitude of artificial aquatic systems have appeared, both deliberately and accidentally. Human modifications to the hydroscape range from alteration of existing waterbodies to construction of new ones. The extent of these systems makes them important and dynamic components of modern landscapes, but their condition and provisioning of ecosystem services by these systems are underexplored, and likely underestimated. Instead of accepting that artificial ecosystems have intrinsically low values, environmental scientists should determine what combination of factors, including setting, planning and construction, subsequent management and policy, and time, impact the condition of these systems. Scientists, social scientists, and policymakers should more thoroughly evaluate whether current study and management of artificial aquatic systems is based on the actual ecological condition of these systems, or judged differently, due to artificiality, and consider resultant possible changes in goals for these systems. The emerging recognition and study of artificial aquatic systems presents an exciting and important opportunity for science and society.

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Section: Monitoring Learning and Iterationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Monitoring Learning and Iterationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Artificial Aquatic Ecosystems

Clifford

Heffernan

2018

Water

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North Carolina Coastal Plain Ditch Types Support Distinct Hydrophytic Communities

Clifford¹,

Heffernan²

2023

Wetlands

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The drainage ditches of the North Carolina Coastal Plain retain some ecological structural characteristics of the wetlands they often replace. We surveyed 32 agricultural, freeway, and forested ditch reaches across this region for hydrologic indicators, soil organic matter, and plants. All showed at least some hydrologic indicators and had soil organic matter, especially swampy forests. Twenty-nine of 32 had hydrophytic herbaceous plant assemblages according to US Army Corps of Engineers wetland delineation standards. These herbaceous assemblages differed signi cantly across site types, and responded to both landscape level factors, like nearby development coverage, and local level factors, like apparent mowing. The US National Hydrography Dataset and the National Wetlands Inventory did not include most sample sites, and mischaracterized most they did include as natural waterbodies. Despite limited information about extent of these ditches, high variability and apparent management impact suggest that human potential to design wetland structure of these manmade aquatic ecosystems throughout the North Carolina Coastal Plain, and beyond, could be large.

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