The Impact of Altered Flow Regime on Periphyton

Smolar-Žvanut, Nataša; Klemenčić, Aleksandra Krivograd

doi:10.1002/9781118526576.ch13

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…Although a wide range of studies have assessed the response of periphyton to natural changes in hydraulic conditions such as water velocity and discharge (Biggs, Smith, & Duncan, 1999; Francoeur & Biggs, 2006; Horner et al, 1990), less research has documented the response of periphyton community composition to flow alteration in terms of changes in ecological meaningful hydrological attributes (e.g., flow magnitude, frequency, duration, timing and rate‐of‐flow change; Bergey et al, 2010; Huang et al, 2018; Smolar‐Žvanut & Krivograd Klemenčič, 2013; Tang et al, 2013; Wu et al, 2019). Particularly, only a few studies have analysed diatom assemblages in relation to the effect of altered flow regimes in rivers (Growns, 1999; Growns & Growns, 2001; Krajenbrink et al, 2019; Wu et al, 2009; Wu et al, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, the relative balance between biomass gain and loss processes will be influenced by flow regime (i.e., discharge magnitude, variability and frequency). In this way, biomass gains occur during periods of higher flow stability and are further enhanced in altered rivers as a result of the steady flows associated to damming or water abstraction, which promote the accumulation of algae and macrophytes (Biggs et al, 2005; Ponsatí et al, 2015; Riis et al, 2008; Smolar‐Žvanut & Krivograd Klemenčič, 2013; Smolar‐Žvanut & Mikoš, 2014). Consequently, recent studies suggested that periphyton and its associated metabolism could be used as indicators for monitoring the ecological effects of increasing minimum flows (Huang et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effect of altered flow regimes on aquatic primary producer communities: Diatoms and macrophytes

et al. 2021

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Rivers are intensively managed worldwide through unprecedented flow regime alterations on a global scale. This has led to an increasing interest in the development of quantitative tools to assess the ecological response of organisms to flow alteration. To date, studies reflect a large diversity of responses that make the intensity and prevalence of effects difficult to generalize. The present study analysed how flow alterations caused by dams affect the structure, composition and traits of diatoms and macrophytes in three Spanish river basins (Cantabric, Ebro and Duero). By using a control‐impact design based mainly in hydrological similarity, our results showed consistent patterns of change in diatom and macrophyte communities. Our study showed a shift from resistant traits such as non‐colonial diatom forms and crust‐forming algae, which are adapted to the extreme events and natural dynamism of unregulated rivers, towards planktonic diatoms, free‐floating algae and the mass development of aquatic plants in hydrological altered sites. Both communities shared common thresholds of response to altered hydrological attributes that could be considered in a flow management context. The hydrological indices that impacted diatom and macrophyte communities the most were related with the magnitude and duration of minimum flows. However, our results also show that it is important to consider the interrelationships between the different hydrological attributes such as the seasonal variability of monthly flows, the magnitude of maximum annual extremes, the timing of flow events, and the frequency and rate of flow changes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of altered flow regimes on aquatic primary producer communities: Diatoms and macrophytes

et al. 2021

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“…The light response curve was calculated using the model of Eilers and Peeters (1988). community composition, but it is very likely that in the hydropeaking treatment the colonization with high resistance-to-disturbance taxa such as slow-growing diatoms or low profile species (short-statured species) took place (Passy and Larson, 2011;Smolar-Žvanut and Klemenčič, 2013). In contrast without daily flow velocity increase, the typical succession from small low profile diatoms to larger long-stalked and large-rosette diatoms could occur (Hoagland et al, 1982), which led to a biomass increase, but no algal group shift.…”

Section: Temporal Development and Activity Of Stream Periphyton Undermentioning

confidence: 99%

Antagonistic and synergistic effects on a stream periphyton community under the influence of pulsed flow velocity increase and nutrient enrichment

Bondar‐Kunze

Maier

Schönauer

et al. 2016

Science of The Total Environment

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Hydropeaking Impacts and Mitigation

Greimel

Schülting

Graf

et al. 2018

Riverine Ecosystem Management

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Flow is a major driver of processes shaping physical habitat in streams and a major determinant of biotic composition. Flow fluctuations play an important role in the survival and reproductive potential of aquatic organisms as they have evolved life history strategies primarily in direct response to natural flow regimes (Poff et al. 1997; Bunn and Arthington 2002). However, although the organisms are generally adapted to natural dynamics in discharge, naturally caused flow fluctuations may entail negative consequences (e.g., stranding, drift, low productivity), especially if the intensity is exceptionally high or the event timing is unusual (Unfer et al. 2011; Nagrodski et al. 2012). Aside from natural dynamics in discharge, artificial flow fluctuations with harmful impacts on aquatic ecology can be induced by human activities. Hydropeaking-the discontinuous release of turbined water due to peaks of energy demand-causes artificial flow fluctuations downstream of reservoirs.

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The Impact of Altered Flow Regime on Periphyton

Cited by 5 publications

References 62 publications

The effect of altered flow regimes on aquatic primary producer communities: Diatoms and macrophytes

The effect of altered flow regimes on aquatic primary producer communities: Diatoms and macrophytes

Antagonistic and synergistic effects on a stream periphyton community under the influence of pulsed flow velocity increase and nutrient enrichment

Hydropeaking Impacts and Mitigation

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