Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Stream ecosystem functioning under reduced flow conditions.

Zoë S Dewson1, Alexander B W James, Russell G Death

  • 1Institute of Natural Resources-Ecology, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, New Zealand. zoe.dewson@ihug.co.nz

Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America
|October 5, 2007
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Development of a Trait-Based Risk Assessment to Minimise the Impacts of Trout on New Zealand Native Fishes.

Ecology and evolution·2025
Same author

Freshwater invertebrate responses to fine sediment stress: A multi-continent perspective.

Global change biology·2024
Same author

Nitrate enrichment does not affect enteropathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> in aquatic microcosms but may affect other strains present in aquatic habitats.

PeerJ·2022
Same author

Detecting genes associated with antimicrobial resistance and pathogen virulence in three New Zealand rivers.

PeerJ·2021
Same author

Pharmaceutical companies should pay for raiding nature's medicine cabinet.

Lancet (London, England)·2021
Same author

Nutrient criteria to achieve New Zealand's riverine macroinvertebrate targets.

PeerJ·2021
Same journal

Flower-rich and diverse road verges support pollinators, but traffic speed limits the ecological benefits across Europe.

Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America·2026
Same journal

Methods to estimate marine functional connectivity: A primer.

Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America·2026
Same journal

Invisible invaders: A new warning flag for molecularly detected alien species (MODAS) in databases and information systems.

Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America·2026
Same journal

Balancing conflict and coexistence: Interactions between invasive monk parakeets and native urban birds.

Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America·2026
Same journal

Using information theory to select spatial scales for species-habitat responses with camera traps.

Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America·2026
Same journal

Evaluating species at risk in data-limited fisheries: A productivity-susceptibility analysis for marine aquarium fish.

Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America·2026
See all related articles

Reduced stream discharge impacts ecosystem functioning inconsistently. Coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) retention showed a strong response, suggesting its utility as a functional indicator for assessing water abstraction effects in streams.

Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Hydrology
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Stream flow reduction assessments often overlook ecosystem functioning, focusing instead on biological communities and physical characteristics.
  • The utility of functional indicators for assessing impacts of reduced discharge on small streams remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the response of leaf breakdown, coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) retention, and primary production to water abstraction in small streams.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of functional indicators in assessing the impacts of reduced stream discharge.

Main Methods:

  • Before-after, control-impact (BACI) experimental design was used in three New Zealand streams.
  • Water abstraction reduced discharge by over 85% at impact reaches.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Leaf breakdown, CPOM retention, and primary production (chlorophyll a accumulation) were measured.

    • Main Results:

    • Reduced discharge had minimal influence on leaf breakdown rates.
    • CPOM retention distance increased with discharge, and riffles became more important retention structures at lower discharges.
    • Primary production responses were inconsistent among streams.

    Conclusions:

    • Ecosystem functions responded inconsistently to water removal, except for CPOM retention.
    • CPOM retention's strong response to reduced discharge suggests its potential as a functional indicator for assessing water abstraction impacts.
    • Further research across diverse streams is recommended to validate these functional indicators.