Riverine landscapes: Biodiversity patterns, disturbance regimes, and aquatic conservation

Ward, J. V.

doi:10.1016/s0006-3207(97)00083-9

Cited by 608 publications

(510 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…In general, the importance of directional flow and horizontal connections has led to an emphasis on spatial complexity rather than temporal complexity in river ecology (e.g. Fisher et al 1998;Ward 1998;Lewis et al 2000;Naiman et al 2000a). However, temporal variation in stream flow has also been identified as an essential driver of river biodiversity, production and sustainability (Poff et al 1997;Ward 1998).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fisher et al 1998;Ward 1998;Lewis et al 2000;Naiman et al 2000a). However, temporal variation in stream flow has also been identified as an essential driver of river biodiversity, production and sustainability (Poff et al 1997;Ward 1998). The quantity, timing and variability of a flow regime create a mosaic of habitats to which river organisms have adapted.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multiple states in river and lake ecosystems

Dent

Cumming

Carpenter

2002

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B

135

114

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Nonlinear models of ecosystem dynamics that incorporate positive feedbacks and multiple, internally reinforced states have considerable explanatory power. However, linear models may be adequate, particularly if ecosystem behaviour is primarily controlled by external processes. In lake ecosystems, internal (mainly biotic) processes are thought to have major impacts on system behaviour, whereas in rivers, external (mainly physical) factors have traditionally been emphasized. We consider the hypothesis that models that exhibit multiple states are useful for understanding the behaviour of lake ecosystems, but not as useful for understanding stream ecosystems. Some of the best-known examples of multiple states come from lake ecosystems. We review some of these examples, and we also describe examples of multiple states in rivers. We conclude that the hypothesis is an oversimplification; the importance of physical forcing in rivers does not eliminate the possibility of internal feedbacks that create multiple states, although in rivers these feedbacks are likely to include physical as well as biotic processes. Nonlinear behaviour in aquatic ecosystems may be more common than current theory indicates.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple states in river and lake ecosystems

Dent

Cumming

Carpenter

2002

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B

135

114

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“…Essas alterações diminuem a riqueza local porque homogeneizam os ambientes, diminuindo a disponibilidade de recursos e, criam ilhas de habitats que têm sua recolonização dependente da distância de outros habitats mais adequados (O'CONNOR 1991, ZWICK 1992, WARD 1998. Entretanto, a complexidade de ambientes pode tamponar o efeito da perturbação e os novos ambientes, criados pela ação de agentes perturbadores parecem ser favoráveis a muitas espécies de Odonata (SAMWAYS & STEYTLER 1996, STEWART & SAMWAYS 1998, FERREIRA-PERUQUETTI & DE MARCO JR. 2002.…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

Comunidade de Odonata (Insecta) em áreas naturais de Cerrado e monocultura no nordeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil: relação entre o uso do solo e a riqueza faunística

Ferreira-Peruquetti

Fonseca-Gessner

2003

Rev. Bras. Zool.

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“…When exploring relationships between flooding events and riparian diversity, researchers often use proxies for flood disturbance (Ward 1998). Pollock et al (1998) used inundation frequency as a surrogate for disturbance and found maximal richness at sites of moderate flood frequency.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flood disturbance and riparian species diversity on the Colorado River Delta

et al. 2005

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Abstract. We investigated the influence of channel migration and expansion on riparian plant species diversity along the lower Colorado River near the United States-Mexico border. Using repeat aerial photography in a GIS we identified and classed areas of low, moderate, and high disturbance frequency caused by channel expansion and migration. Replicate vegetation plots (12 m Â 12 m) were sampled in each of the three disturbance classes. One-way ANOVA was used to test for differences in species richness, species diversity (using the Shannon-Weiner Index) and overall percent ground cover of plants between the three disturbance classes. Regardless of disturbance class, plots were dominated by trees or shrubs, especially the non-native Tamarix ramosissima, as well as Pluchea sericea, Baccharis salicifolia and Salix goodingii. Clearly woody species constitute the great bulk of overall species richness, percent ground cover, and species diversity (H 0 ) in each disturbance group. No overall statistically significant differences were revealed among the disturbance groups for values of species richness, percent ground cover, or the Shannon-Wiener Index, though paired contrasts of means revealed that total percent ground cover on low disturbance plots was significantly higher than on moderately disturbed plots. Spatial and temporal variability in riparian diversity in the study area appears to hinge on factors other than disturbance frequency such as salt or drought stress. Alternately, our results could be interpreted as suggesting that in the presence of intensive flow regulation, disturbance plays a secondary role to ecological stresses, similar to that demonstrated by others. Intentional flood pulses are advocated as a restorative management strategy for improving plant productivity, management of exotic species (particularly T. ramosissima), and restoration of overall biodiversity.

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Riverine landscapes: Biodiversity patterns, disturbance regimes, and aquatic conservation

Cited by 608 publications

References 40 publications

Multiple states in river and lake ecosystems

Multiple states in river and lake ecosystems

Comunidade de Odonata (Insecta) em áreas naturais de Cerrado e monocultura no nordeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil: relação entre o uso do solo e a riqueza faunística

Flood disturbance and riparian species diversity on the Colorado River Delta

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