Mediterranean-climate streams and rivers: geographically separated but ecologically comparable freshwater systems

Abstract

the climatic conditions that are a result of the interaction with large-scale processes) and 53 only consider meso-and microclimate scale characteristics (i.e., the climatic conditions 54 that are a result of changes in orography, altitude, orientation to the coast, and 55 continental and oceanic influences) when considering within-region variability. 56

Non-perennial Mediterranean rivers in Europe: Status, pressures, and challenges for research and management

“…Under these climatic conditions, many Mediterranean rivers naturally exhibit a non-perennial flow regime, with a distinct seasonal, inter-annual and spatial heterogeneity (Bonada and Resh, 2013). At the same time, the Mediterranean river basins are turning drier (annual precipitation decreased up to 20% during the 20th century), with more extreme events than a century ago (EC-JRC, 2005;EEA, 2008;García-Ruiz et al, 2011).…”

“…NPRS may account for N50% of the total lenght of the global river network, including low order streams (Datry et al, 2014a). In Mediterranean regions, NPRS are the dominant freshwater type (Tockner et al, 2009;Bonada and Resh, 2013). They encompass remarkable hydrogeomorphological diversity, including snow-melt and rain-fed headwater streams, spring-fed karstic rivers and streams, braided channel networks, as well as single-thread upland streams and lowland rivers.…”

“…NPRS provide habitat for a diverse and unique flora and fauna (Meyer et al, 2007;Larned et al, 2010;Bonada and Resh, 2013;Acuña et al, 2014). They function as biogeochemical hotspots that retain, transform, and transfer carbon, nutrients and particulate matter McDonοugh et al, 2011;Bernal et al, 2013;Datry et al, 2014a).…”

“…Several special issues have been published on this topic in scientific journals (e.g. Nadeau and Rains, 2007;Datry et al, 2011;Bonada and Resh, 2013), thereby advancing the perception and understanding of NPRS.…”

Bottom-up effects of streambed drying on consumer performance through changes in resource quality

“…These climatic effects will be reinforced by increased water demand due to population growth and increased urbanization and irrigated agriculture (Arnell 1999;Sabater and Tockner 2010). Furthermore, due to frequent temporal and spatial mismatch between water demand and its availability (Bonada and Resh 2013), the occurrence, frequency and duration of flow intermittency are expected to increase. In small-and middle-sized streams, this will likely result in the drying of many permanent habitats while intermittent reaches might dry out completely.…”