Environmental and ecological effects of flow alteration in surface water ecosystems

Robert ROLLS, Nick R. Bond

Research output: A Conference proceeding or a Chapter in BookChapterpeer-review

53 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The alteration of river flow regimes by dams, weirs, and water extraction is a key impact of humans on freshwater ecosystems and has occurred in rivers across all inhabited continents worldwide. In this chapter, we provide a brief summary of the expansive literature on the ecological consequences of flow regime change. We focus on links between alteration of specific components of the river flow regime and the typical patterns of ecological response. Flow regime change is evident in terms of altered baseflow(s), reduced flooding magnitude and frequency, reduced floodplain inundation, and altered flow variability; however, the extent to which these hydrological components are altered depends on the driver of hydrological change. Effects of flow regime change are evident for multiple organism groups (i.e., plants, amphibians, invertebrates, and fish), ecological processes and in-channel, riparian, and floodplain environments. Altered richness, abundance and density, composition, and altered process rates are reported as responses to changes across different hydrological components. However, the characteristics of ecological responses vary in response to change across hydrological components and are also strongly determined by local factors such as hydroclimatic region, biological traits of organisms, and how flow regime change is manifest in terms of stream hydraulics. A strong conceptual understanding of the ecological effects of flow regime change is essential for predicting, monitoring, and evaluating the responses of environmental water releases, and how environmental water can be delivered to enhance ecological outcomes.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWater for the Environment
Subtitle of host publicationFrom Policy and Science to Implementation and Management
EditorsAvril Horne, Angus Webb, Michael Stewardson, Brian Richter, Michael Acreman
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherElsevier
Pages65-82
Number of pages18
ISBN (Electronic)9780128039458
ISBN (Print)9780128039076
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Aug 2017

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