Book chapter
F1.6 Episodic arid rivers
The IUCN global Ecosystem Typology 2.0: Descriptive profiles for biomes and ecosystem functional groups, p.108
IUCN
2020
Abstract
Episodic rivers have high temporal variability in flows and resource availability, shaping a low diversity biota with periodically high abundance of some organisms. Productivity is episodically high and punctuated by longer periods of low productivity (i.e. boom-bust dynamics). The trophic structure can be complex and dominated by autochthonous primary production. Even though riparian vegetation is sparse, allochthonous inputs from connected floodplains may be important. Top-down control of ecosystem structure is evident in some desert streams. Episodic rivers are hotspots of biodiversity and ecological activity in arid landscapes, acting as both evolutionary and ecological refuges.
Details
- Title
- F1.6 Episodic arid rivers
- Authors/Creators
- JL Nel (Author)Richard Kingsford (Author)Ralph MacNally (Author)Paul Giller (Author)Belinda J Robson (Author) - Murdoch University, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic EcosystemsAngela Arthington (Author)David Keith (Author)
- Contributors
- D. A. Keith (Editor)J.R. Ferrer-Paris (Editor)E. Nicholson (Editor)R.T. Kingsford (Editor)
- Publication Details
- The IUCN global Ecosystem Typology 2.0: Descriptive profiles for biomes and ecosystem functional groups, p.108
- Publisher
- IUCN
- Identifiers
- 991005555067007891
- Copyright
- © 2020 IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems; School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
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