Book chapter
F3.5 Canals, ditches and drains
The IUCN global Ecosystem Typology 2.0: Descriptive profiles for biomes and ecosystem functional groups, p.126
IUCN
2020
Abstract
Canals, ditches and storm water drains are artificial streams with low horizontal and vertical heterogeneity. They function as rivers or streams and may have simplified habitat structure and trophic networks, although some older ditches have fringing vegetation, which contributes to structural complexity. The main primary producers are filamentous algae and macrophytes that thrive on allochthonous subsidies of nutrients. Subsidies of organic carbon from urban or rural landscapes support microbial decomposers and mostly small invertebrate detritivores. While earthen banks and linings may support macrophytes and a rich associated fauna, sealed or otherwise uniform substrates limit the diversity and abundance of benthic biota.
Details
- Title
- F3.5 Canals, ditches and drains
- Authors/Creators
- Richard Kingsford (Author)Belinda J Robson (Author) - Murdoch University, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic EcosystemsM Kelly-Quinn (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.126
- Publisher
- IUCN
- Identifiers
- 991005555066307891
- 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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