152634 - Global patterns and drivers of ecosystem functioning in rivers and riparian zones.pdf (877.61 kB)
Global patterns and drivers of ecosystem functioning in rivers and riparian zones
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 12:30 authored by Tiegs, SD, Costello, DM, Isken, MW, Woodward, G, McIntyre, PB, Gessner, MO, Chauvet, E, Griffiths, NA, Flecker, AS, Leon BarmutaLeon Barmuta, Zwart, JARiver ecosystems receive and process vast quantities of terrestrial organic carbon, the fate of which depends strongly on microbial activity. Variation in and controls of processing rates, however, are poorly characterized at the global scale. In response, we used a peer-sourced research network and a highly standardized carbon processing assay to conduct a global-scale field experiment in greater than 1000 river and riparian sites. We found that Earth's biomes have distinct carbon processing signatures. Slow processing is evident across latitudes, whereas rapid rates are restricted to lower latitudes. Both the mean rate and variability decline with latitude, suggesting temperature constraints toward the poles and greater roles for other environmental drivers (e.g., nutrient loading) toward the equator. These results and data set the stage for unprecedented "next-generation biomonitoring" by establishing baselines to help quantify environmental impacts to the functioning of ecosystems at a global scale.
History
Publication title
Science AdvancesVolume
5Article number
eaav0486Number
eaav0486ISSN
2375-2548Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)Place of publication
United StatesRights statement
Copyright 2019 The Authors Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/Repository Status
- Open