Impact of water abstraction on storage and breakdown of coarse organic matter in mountain streams

Arroita, Maite; Aristi, Ibon; Díez, José Ramón; Martinez, Miren Itsaso; Oyarzun, Gorka; Elosegi, Arturo

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.06.124

Cited by 33 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…In deep water ecosystems, both temperature and dissolved oxygen content are usually low limiting litter decomposition as an effect of reduced microbial activity (Torremorell and Gantes, 2010;Fonseca et al, 2013). Though many direct measurements of macrophyte decomposition rates in response to increase water depth have shown positive effects on decomposition process and nutrient release efficiency, also neutral or even negative results were reported (Cai et al, 2006;Wright et al, 2013;Arroita et al, 2015). The inconsistent effects of water depth on litter decomposition may be caused by differences in litter quality, since litter tissues (including roots, leaves, twigs and stems) used in the above-mentioned experiments differed in quality and type (Trinder et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interaction between litter quality and simulated water depth on decomposition of two emergent macrophytes

Xie

et al. 2015

J Limnol

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interaction between litter quality and simulated water depth on decomposition of two emergent macrophytes

Xie

et al. 2015

J Limnol

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“…On the contrary, and contrasting with our hypotheses, abstraction did not affect organic matter breakdown in the wetted channel. This result parallels previous studies (Dewson et al ., ; Arroita et al ., ), suggesting little impact on the detrital pathway as long as leaf litter remains wet. However, large portions of the streambed dried out due to the contraction of the wetted perimeter, and, as a consequence, organic matter too, including some of our bags.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Contrary to other studies that reported water abstraction to increase water temperature and pH (Rader & Belish, ; McIntosh, Benbow & Burky, ) and decrease dissolved oxygen concentration (James et al ., ), our experiment did not affect water physicochemical variables, as was also reported in a previous study in the region (Arroita et al ., ). The lack of response probably reflects the strong shade and moderate nutrient concentrations in the stream we studied, the small size of the diversion weir, the fast renewal of the water retained, and the short distance between both reaches.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An important aspect to emphasise is that, at a certain point, our diversion scheme was close to disrupting the superficial flow and shrinking the channel into a series of unconnected pools, which would have had strong effects on communities (Acuña et al ., ) and ecosystem processes (von Schiller et al ., ). This result casts doubts on the adequacy of environmental flows in the region, which are set close to these thresholds (URA, ; Arroita et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Water abstraction impacts stream ecosystem functioning via wetted‐channel contraction

et al. 2016

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Summary Water abstraction is rapidly increasing worldwide in order to respond to escalating demands for water, food and energy. Abstraction can alter the hydrological regime of streams and rivers, reduce in‐stream habitats, change water quality and affect fluvial communities. It can also impair ecosystem functioning, although this aspect has been seldom assessed. We experimentally tested the effect of water abstraction on stream functioning in a headwater mountain stream using a before and after control‐impact (BACI) design. We quantified changes in water physicochemical properties, biofilm biomass and activity (exo‐enzymes and metabolism), and ecosystem processes (nutrient cycling, organic matter retention and breakdown). Water abstraction did not affect water physicochemical properties, but reduced the biomass and the alkaline phosphatase activity of biofilm per surface unit, the areal uptake of nutrients, and the travel distance of organic matter. It did not affect the biofilm metabolism and breakdown of submerged leaf litter, but decreased the total breakdown. The impacts were larger when analysed per unit of channel length. All variables, except benthic chlorophyll‐a, were significantly reduced by abstraction, due to the contraction of the wetted channel. The decrease in the biomass and activity of biofilm, as well as in nutrient uptake and total organic matter breakdown observed in this study could increase nutrient concentration in downstream reaches and reduce the energy transfer to higher trophic levels. Ecosystem services of permanent headwater streams are likely to be compromised with the reduction of wetted‐channel width.

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“…; Arroita et al . ). Some of these impacts may still occur downstream of the point where water is returned to the stream (eg reduced sediment transport caused by the diversion structure and altered water temperatures).…”

Section: Small Hydropower Impacts On Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Basin‐scale effects of small hydropower on biodiversity dynamics

Lange

Meier

Trautwein

et al. 2018

Frontiers in Ecol & Environ

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Construction of small hydropower plants (<10 megawatts) is booming worldwide, exacerbating ongoing habitat fragmentation and degradation, and further fueling biodiversity loss. A systematic approach for selecting hydropower sites within river networks may help to minimize the detrimental effects of small hydropower on biodiversity. In addition, a better understanding of reach‐ and basin‐scale impacts is key for designing planning tools. We synthesize the available information about (1) reach‐scale and (2) basin‐scale impacts of small hydropower plants on biodiversity and ecosystem function, and (3) interactions with other anthropogenic stressors. We then discuss state‐of‐the‐art, spatially explicit planning tools and suggest how improved knowledge of the ecological and evolutionary impacts of hydropower can be incorporated into project development. Such tools can be used to balance the benefits of hydropower production with the maintenance of ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation. Adequate planning tools that consider basin‐scale effects and interactions with other stressors, such as climate change, can maximize long‐term conservation.

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Impact of water abstraction on storage and breakdown of coarse organic matter in mountain streams

Cited by 33 publications

References 71 publications

Interaction between litter quality and simulated water depth on decomposition of two emergent macrophytes

Interaction between litter quality and simulated water depth on decomposition of two emergent macrophytes

Water abstraction impacts stream ecosystem functioning via wetted‐channel contraction

Basin‐scale effects of small hydropower on biodiversity dynamics

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