Biogeochemical and community ecology responses to the wetting of non-perennial streams

Adam N. Price; Margaret Ann Zimmer; Anna J. Bergstrom; Amy J Burgin; Erin C. Seybold; Corey A. Krabbenhoft; Sam Zipper; Michelle H. Busch; Walter K. Dodds; Annika W. Walters; Jane S. Rogosch; Rachel Stubbington; Richard H Walker; James C. Stegen; Thibault Datry; Mathis L. Messager; Julian Olden; Sarah E Godsey; Margaret Shanafield; David E. Lytle; Ryan Burrows; Kendra E. Kaiser; George H. Allen; Meryl C. Mims; Jonathan D. Tonkin; Michael Bogan; John Christopher Hammond; Kate Boersma; Allison Myers-Pigg; Amanda DelVecchia; Daniel C. Allen; Songyan Yu; Adam Ward

doi:10.1038/s44221-024-00298-3

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Biogeochemical and community ecology responses to the wetting of non-perennial streams

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Abstract

Transitions between dry and wet hydrologic states are the defining characteristic of non-perennial rivers and streams, which constitute the majority of the global river network. Although past work has focused on stream drying characteristics, there has been less focus on how hydrology, ecology and biogeochemistry respond and interact during stream wetting. Wetting mechanisms are highly variable and can range from dramatic floods and debris flows to gradual saturation by upwelling groundwater. This variation in wetting affects ecological and biogeochemical functions, including nutrient processing, sediment transport and the assembly of biotic communities. Here we synthesize evidence describing the hydrological mechanisms underpinning different types of wetting regimes, the associated biogeochemical and organismal responses, and the potential scientific and management implications for downstream ecosystems. This combined multidisciplinary understanding of wetting dynamics in non-perennial streams will be key to predicting and managing for the effects of climate change on non-perennial ecosystems.

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Adam N. Price, Margaret Ann Zimmer, Anna J. Bergstrom, Amy J Burgin, Erin C. Seybold, Corey A. Krabbenhoft, Sam Zipper, Michelle H. Busch, Walter K. Dodds, Annika W. Walters, Jane S. Rogosch, Rachel Stubbington, Richard H Walker, James C. Stegen, Thibault Datry, Mathis L. Messager, Julian Olden, Sarah E Godsey, Margaret Shanafield, David E. Lytle, Ryan Burrows, Kendra E. Kaiser, George H. Allen, Meryl C. Mims, Jonathan D. Tonkin, Michael Bogan, John Christopher Hammond, Kate Boersma, Allison Myers-Pigg, Amanda DelVecchia, Daniel C. Allen, Songyan Yu, Adam Ward. 2024-09-19. Biogeochemical and community ecology responses to the wetting of non-perennial streams. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-024-00298-3

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