Dynamic riverine landscapes: the role of ecosystem engineers

Abstract

An important and highly active research agenda has developed at the interface of fluvial geomorphology and ecology that addresses the capacity for vegetation and animals to act as ecosystem engineers within fluvial systems. This paper briefly introduces this research domain and describes the 15 papers that contribute to the special issue on 'Dynamic riverine landscapes: the role of ecosystem engineers'. The papers illustrate the breadth of research activity at this interface, investigating the influence of a range of ecosystem engineering organisms through a combination of field study, laboratory experiments, numerical simulation and analysis of remotely sensed data. Together, the papers address a series of key themes: conceptual frameworks for feedbacks between aquatic biota, hydraulics, sediment dynamics and nutrient dynamics and their quantification through experimental and field research; the potential contribution of ecosystem engineering species to assist river recovery and restoration; and the contribution of riparian vegetation to bank stability and morphodynamics across a range of spatio-temporal scales.

Biogeomorphology: diverse, integrative and useful

“…Biogeomorphological research in water-sediment driven systems has proved particularly productive in recent years, as demonstrated by a recent special issue of this journal (Harvey and Bertoldi, 2015). Building on this, Corenblit et al (2016) explore how the establishment of black poplar (Populus nigra) and its influence on hydrogeomorphic processes controls the formation and development of in-channel landforms of the River Garonne, France.…”

“…These include ecogeomorphology (Wheaton et al, 2011), zoogeomorphology (Butler and Sawyer, 2012), vegetation and disturbance regimes (Stoffel et al, 2013), biopedturbation (Whitesides and Butler, 2015) and fluvial ecosystem engineering (Harvey and Bertoldi, 2015). These include ecogeomorphology (Wheaton et al, 2011), zoogeomorphology (Butler and Sawyer, 2012), vegetation and disturbance regimes (Stoffel et al, 2013), biopedturbation (Whitesides and Butler, 2015) and fluvial ecosystem engineering (Harvey and Bertoldi, 2015).…”

“…In the last five years journal special issues have emerged that focus on particular aspects of biogeomorphology. These include ecogeomorphology (Wheaton et al, 2011), zoogeomorphology (Butler and Sawyer, 2012), vegetation and disturbance regimes (Stoffel et al, 2013), biopedturbation (Whitesides and Butler, 2015) and fluvial ecosystem engineering (Harvey and Bertoldi, 2015). With a few exceptions (e.g.…”

Aquatic Insect Bioconstructions Modify Fine‐Sediment Entrainment and Mobility

“…However, until relatively recently, little consideration was given to the effects of biological activities on sediment transport (Corenblit et al., 2011; Naylor et al., 2002; Viles, 2019). Increasingly, research bridging fluvial geomorphology and ecology is providing a more holistic understanding, necessary for the sustainable management of rivers (Harvey & Bertoldi, 2015; Johnson et al., 2019; Polvi & Wohl, 2013).…”

Aquatic insect bioconstructions modify fine-sediment entrainment and mobility

“…However, until relatively recently, little consideration was given to the effects of biological activities on sediment transport (Corenblit et al, 2011;Naylor et al, 2002;Viles, 2019). Increasingly, research bridging fluvial geomorphology and ecology is providing a more holistic understanding, necessary for the sustainable management of rivers (Harvey & Bertoldi, 2015;Johnson et al, 2019;Polvi & Wohl, 2013).…”