Effects of stream flooding on the distribution and diversity of groundwater‐dependent vegetation in riparian areas

Baattrup‐Pedersen, Annette; Jensen, Kasper Løvborg; Thodsen, Hans; Andersen, Hans Estrup; Andersen, Peter M.; Larsen, Søren E.; Riis, Tenna; Andersen, Dagmar Kappel; Audet, Joachim; Kronvang, Brian

doi:10.1111/fwb.12088

Cited by 27 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…The majority of studies reporting negative effects of flooding on species richness were conducted in the more northern located Atlantic and boreal region (7 of 9 studies), while most studies reporting positive effects were conducted in the semi‐arid or desert region (4 of 7 studies) where water scarcity plays a role. The negative effects of flooding on species richness were often related to a relatively high nutrient input from the flood water, leading to eutrophication and an increase in the abundance of productive species (4 of 9 studies; Wassen et al ., ; Beltman et al ., ; Baattrup‐Pedersen et al ., ,b). Also, extreme flood events at sites with a normally stable yearly discharge may lead to a reduction in species richness (6 of 9 studies; Petit et al ., ; Beltman et al ., ; Renöfält et al ., ; Ström et al ., ; Baattrup‐Pedersen et al ., ,b).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Riparian plant community responses to increased flooding: a meta‐analysis

Garssen

Baattrup‐Pedersen

Voesenek

et al. 2015

Global Change Biology

169

133

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A future higher risk of severe flooding of streams and rivers has been projected to change riparian plant community composition and species richness, but the extent and direction of the expected change remain uncertain. We conducted a meta-analysis to synthesize globally available experimental evidence and assess the effects of increased flooding on (1) riparian adult plant and seedling survival, (2) riparian plant biomass and (3) riparian plant species composition and richness. We evaluated which plant traits are of key importance for the response of riparian plant species to flooding. We identified and analysed 53 papers from ISI Web of Knowledge which presented quantitative experimental results on flooding treatments and corresponding control situations. Our meta-analysis demonstrated how longer duration of flooding, greater depth of flooding and, particularly, their combination reduce seedling survival of most riparian species. Plant height above water level, ability to elongate shoots and plasticity in root porosity were decisive for adult plant survival and growth during longer periods of flooding. Both 'quiescence' and 'escape' proved to be successful strategies promoting riparian plant survival, which was reflected in the wide variation in survival (full range between 0 and 100%) under fully submerged conditions, while plants that protrude above the water level (>20 cm) almost all survive. Our survey confirmed that the projected increase in the duration and depth of flooding periods is sufficient to result in species shifts. These shifts may lead to increased or decreased riparian species richness depending on the nutrient, climatic and hydrological status of the catchment. Species richness was generally reduced at flooded sites in nutrient-rich catchments and sites that previously experienced relatively stable hydrographs (e.g. rain-fed lowland streams). Species richness usually increased at sites in desert and semi-arid climate regions (e.g. intermittent streams).

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Riparian plant community responses to increased flooding: a meta‐analysis

Garssen

Baattrup‐Pedersen

Voesenek

et al. 2015

Global Change Biology

169

133

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“…In contrast, in restored sites and grazed grasslands, regular disturbances by flooding or grazing allow the coexistence of a variety of different plant species with different strategies (Baattrup‐Pedersen et al, ; Tilmann, ). Flooding influences colonization dynamics and subsequently long‐lasting composition patterns by inhibiting the dominant growth of tall species such as nettle and reed (Baattrup‐Pedersen et al, ; Connell, ; Glaeser & Wulf, ; Tilmann, ). In the restored floodplains at the river Stör, the proportion of reed bed species was, in fact, slightly lower than in the abandoned grasslands of surrounding area.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Competitors are mainly highly productive plant species that outcompete other plant species by using resources more efficiently. Stress‐tolerant species show adaptations towards environmental stressors, such as flooding (Baattrup‐Pedersen et al, ), for example, due to adaptations of their root aerenchyma. Ruderals are adapted to disturbance, such as erosion and sedimentation, and have high reproduction ability.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mesoscale river restoration enhances the diversity of floodplain vegetation

Seer

Brunke

Schrautzer

2018

River Research & Apps

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Effective river restoration aims for the recovery of ecosystem functions by restoring processes and connectivity to the floodplain. At the straightened lowland river Stör in northern Germany, a sequence of 15 new meanders was created in 2008, with wavelengths up to 70 m. The newly created areas within the meander bends range in size from 215 to 1,115 m2 and function as a series of 15 restored floodplain sites, which are subject to succession. After 7 years of restoration measures, we investigated the vegetation dynamics on the (a) restored floodplains and compared them with adjacent floodplain sites that were used as (b) low‐intensity grazed grassland or as (c) abandoned grassland. We analysed the species diversity, functional vegetation parameters, and plant communities of 200 plots within the floodplain area of the three floodplain types and of 246 plots at their river banks. Plant species diversity and composition differed with respect to restoration measure and site management. Restored floodplains revealed a higher coverage in species of wet grasslands and softwood forests and higher species diversity than abandoned grasslands. Grazed grasslands showed the highest species number and coverages of pioneer vegetation. The banks indicated fewer differences in species composition between floodplain types. The construction of restored floodplains revealed greater overall plant diversity due to promoting the development of typical floodplain vegetation. Shallow meanders with increased flooding intensity and the creation of a varying microreliefs are recommended as combined river/floodplain measures in order to foster processes and connectivity between valley components.

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“…In contrast to the non‐inundated region, the aquatic areas (inundated) are unlikely to accompany regeneration from seed banks. Other studies suggest that characteristic wetland species whose strategy is stress tolerance are replaced by species with competitive or ruderal life strategies (Baattrup‐Pedersen et al , 2013a,b). We urge not only grazing exclusion for these plants but also transplanting (De Villiers et al , ; De Villiers et al , ) in addition to hydrological management (Ma et al , ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maintain Spatial Heterogeneity, Maintain Biodiversity—A Seed Bank Study in a Grazed Alpine Fen Meadow

Cao

et al. 2016

Land Degrad Dev

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Wetland degradation is a source of anxiety and is more severe in cold regions than other areas. The soil seed bank acts as a propagule source for revegetation to affiliate the restoration of degraded wetlands. However, the effects of this approach are controversial and depend on the traits of the seed bank and its interactions with the environment. The seed bank in an alpine fen meadow was studied to determine its exact role in revegetation. The surveyed shore of a Tibetan lake, Gahai Lake, was divided into three sites under different levels of grazing pressure. Each site was separated into six transects along a water‐depth gradient to collect soil cores to determine the pattern of biodiversity through a germination experiment in a greenhouse. After an analysis of heterogeneity‐related diversity, partitioning of 58 discovered species indicated that 39.5 could be contributed to beta‐diversity, which was mainly contributed to water depth. Overgrazing (0.607 sheep unit/acre, November—March) decreased seed bank diversity in many respects, especially through decreasing spatial heterogeneity and homogenizing biota. A lightly grazed, well‐protected site had not only the highest beta‐diversity and species abundance but also the highest inter‐site species turnover rate compared with other sites under moderate grazing intensity. Despite the lack of target species, the seed bank serves as (i) a species‐rich pool; (ii) an extant legacy seed source for sustaining heterogeneity and floristic diversity; and (iii) an ecological indicator, and its effect can be reinforced by appropriate grazing practices (multiple intensity) and hydrological modifications. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Effects of stream flooding on the distribution and diversity of groundwater‐dependent vegetation in riparian areas

Cited by 27 publications

References 44 publications

Riparian plant community responses to increased flooding: a meta‐analysis

Riparian plant community responses to increased flooding: a meta‐analysis

Mesoscale river restoration enhances the diversity of floodplain vegetation

Maintain Spatial Heterogeneity, Maintain Biodiversity—A Seed Bank Study in a Grazed Alpine Fen Meadow

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