Reconciling theory and practise: The role of stream ecology

Lake, Philip Spencer

doi:10.1002/rra.1284

Cited by 34 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 101 publications

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“…Ecologists have called for integration of ecological theory with restoration practice (Palmer et al 1997, Lake et al 2007, Thompson and Lake 2010. Basic ecological theory suggests why many restoration efforts do not result in an improvement in the biological community.…”

Section: ]mentioning

confidence: 99%

Metacommunity theory as a multispecies, multiscale framework for studying the influence of river network structure on riverine communities and ecosystems

Brown

Swan

Auerbach

et al. 2011

Journal of the North American Benthological Society

208

218

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Explaining the mechanisms underlying patterns of species diversity and composition in riverine networks is challenging. Historically, community ecologists have conceived of communities as largely isolated entities and have focused on local environmental factors and interspecific interactions as the major forces determining species composition. However, stream ecologists have long embraced a multiscale approach to studying riverine ecosystems and have studied both local factors and larger-scale regional factors, such as dispersal and disturbance. River networks exhibit a dendritic spatial structure that can constrain aquatic organisms when their dispersal is influenced by or confined to the river network. We contend that the principles of metacommunity theory would help stream ecologists to understand how the complex spatial structure of river networks mediates the relative influences of local and regional control on species composition. From a basic ecological perspective, the concept is attractive because new evidence suggests that the importance of regional processes (dispersal) depends on spatial structure of habitat and on connection to the regional species pool. The role of local factors relative to regional factors will vary with spatial position in a river network. From an applied perspective, the long-standing view in ecology that local community composition is an indicator of habitat quality may not be uniformly applicable across a river network, but the strength of such bioassessment approaches probably will depend on spatial position in the network. The principles of metacommunity theory are broadly applicable across taxa and systems but seem of particular consequence to stream ecology given the unique spatial structure of riverine systems. By explicitly embracing processes at multiple spatial scales, metacommunity theory provides a foundation on which to build a richer understanding of stream communities.

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Section: ]mentioning

confidence: 99%

Metacommunity theory as a multispecies, multiscale framework for studying the influence of river network structure on riverine communities and ecosystems

Brown

Swan

Auerbach

et al. 2011

Journal of the North American Benthological Society

208

218

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…More recent conceptual models of river networks emphasize discontinuities and non-linearities in ecological pattern, which may emerge from man-made impoundments (Ward and Stanford 1983), tributary junctions (Benda et al 2004), and abrupt changes in geomorphic structure and processes (Montgomery 1999, Poole 2002, Finlay et al 2011. While specific predictions from the RCC and similar models are not always met, their importance lies in the recognition of an underlying set of factors (channel geometry, flood disturbance, and hydrologic connectivity) that determine ecological patterns and processes within river systems (Webster 2007, Thompson andLake 2010).…”

Section: Ecological Patterns In River Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the multiple ecological roles of water in river networks

2013

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Abstract. The distribution and movement of water can influence the state and dynamics of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems through a diversity of mechanisms. These mechanisms can be organized into three general categories wherein water acts as (1) a resource or habitat for biota, (2) a vector for connectivity and exchange of energy, materials, and organisms, and (3) as an agent of geomorphic change and disturbance. These latter two roles are highlighted in current models, which emphasize hydrologic connectivity and geomorphic change as determinants of the spatial and temporal distributions of species and processes in river systems. Water availability, on the other hand, has received less attention as a driver of ecological pattern, despite the prevalence of intermittent streams, and strong potential for environmental change to alter the spatial extent of drying in many regions. Here we summarize long-term research from a Sonoran Desert watershed to illustrate how spatial patterns of ecosystem structure and functioning reflect shifts in the relative importance of different 'roles of water' across scales of drainage size. These roles are distributed and interact hierarchically in the landscape, and for the bulk of the drainage network it is the duration of water availability that represents the primary determinant of ecological processes. Only for the largest catchments, with the most permanent flow regimes, do flood-associated disturbances and hydrologic exchange emerge as important drivers of local dynamics. While desert basins represent an extreme case, the diversity of mechanisms by which the availability and flow of water influence ecosystem structure and functioning are general. Predicting how river ecosystems may respond to future environmental pressures will require clear understanding of how changes in the spatial extent and relative overlap of these different roles of water shape ecological patterns.

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“…This includes the role of reciprocal subsidies between terrestrial and stream environments, a theme which is further developed by Richardson et al (2009). Thompson and Lake (2009) demonstrate that streams have illustrated that ecological systems are dynamic, particularly with respect to disturbances like floods and droughts (a topic addressed further by Death (2009)) which may provide an opportunity to drive theoretical development in ecosystem dynamics. The authors argue that although stream systems are sufficiently different that ecological theory developed in stream ecosystems may not fit entirely with other ecosystems, streams can still provide novel insights into other ecosystems, particularly in the field of restoration.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Menge et al (2008) point out that this imbalance should be of concern to all ecologists and that interdisciplinarity between different ecological fields hinders scientific progress in the long run. Thompson and Lake (2009) provide an overview of the subject areas where stream ecology has informed general ecological theory by illustrating that streams are open ecosystems with close linkages to other ecosystems within the landscape. This includes the role of reciprocal subsidies between terrestrial and stream environments, a theme which is further developed by Richardson et al (2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

River science—What has it contributed to general ecological theory?

Milner

Tockner

2010

River Research & Apps

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A special session of the 56th Annual Meeting of the North American Benthological Society in Utah in 2008 explored the contribution riverine benthic science has made to general concepts of ecological theory. Advances in general ecological theory have been made by riverine science in many areas, including metabolic theory, decomposition, reciprocal subsidies between ecosystems, ecotonal patterns and processes, secondary production and biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (B-EF). However in many cases these advances have not been taken up by other ecologists in their publications. In this special issue, we explore these contributions and examine reasons for the lack of uptake and suggest possible ways forward so that riverine benthic science can make a greater overall contribution to general ecological theory.

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Reconciling theory and practise: The role of stream ecology

Cited by 34 publications

References 101 publications

Metacommunity theory as a multispecies, multiscale framework for studying the influence of river network structure on riverine communities and ecosystems

Metacommunity theory as a multispecies, multiscale framework for studying the influence of river network structure on riverine communities and ecosystems

On the multiple ecological roles of water in river networks

River science—What has it contributed to general ecological theory?

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