Review on environmental alterations propagating from aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Ecology
• Freshwater and Terrestrial Ecosystems

Background:

• Terrestrial inputs to freshwater ecosystems are well-studied.
• Resource fluxes from aquatic to terrestrial systems (subsidy) are less understood but ecologically significant.
• Anthropogenic alterations in aquatic ecosystems can impact these water-land resource fluxes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review literature on aquatic-to-terrestrial ecosystem subsidy.
• To emphasize the role of anthropogenic alterations in this water-land coupling.
• To identify research gaps and propose a framework for integrated assessment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of peer-reviewed studies (1990-2014).
• Analysis of research focus on abiotic and biotic processes.
• Assessment of studies investigating anthropogenic impacts on aquatic-terrestrial linkages.

Main Results:

• Increasing research interest in aquatic-terrestrial coupling, but abiotic and biotic studies are separate.
• 35% of studies examined abiotic and 25% biotic anthropogenic alterations propagating from aquatic to terrestrial systems.
• Hydromorphological and hydrological alterations were most studied; water pollution and invasive species less so.
• Few studies (<5%) considered indirect terrestrial effects (e.g., food web responses), despite significant consequences.

Conclusions:

• Anthropogenic alterations in aquatic ecosystems have cascading effects on terrestrial systems.
• Current research inadequately addresses indirect and integrated effects of aquatic alterations on terrestrial ecosystems.
• An interdisciplinary framework integrating abiotic and biotic aspects is needed to understand these water-land interactions.