Ecological flow in southern Europe: Status and trends in non-perennial rivers

Leone, Marianna; Gentile, Francesco; Porto, A. Lo; Ricci, Giovanni Francesco; Girolamo, Anna Maria De

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118097

Cited by 12 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 99 publications

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“…Globally, this policy debate is mirrored in other regions. For example, in the European Union, the inclusion and protection of non‐perennial streams in management frameworks are still emerging and varies widely between member countries (Leone et al., 2023). These policy debates highlight the need to better characterize the hydrology of non‐perennial streams and quantify their impact on both local and downstream ecosystem function.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Water Age During Dry‐Down of a Non‐Perennial Stream

Swenson,

Zipper,

Peterson

et al. 2024

Water Resources Research

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Non‐perennial streams, which lack year‐round flow, are widespread globally. Identifying the sources of water that sustain flow in non‐perennial streams is necessary to understand their potential impacts on downstream water resources, and guide water policy and management. Here, we used water isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) and two different modeling approaches to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of young water fractions (Fyw) in a non‐perennial stream network at Konza Prairie (KS, USA) during the 2021 summer dry‐down season, as well as over several years with varying hydrometeorological conditions. Using a Bayesian model, we found a substantial amount of young water (Fyw: 39.1–62.6%) sustained flows in the headwaters and at the catchment outlet during the 2021 water year, while 2015–2022 young water contributions estimated using sinusoidal models indicated smaller Fyw amounts (15.3% ± 5.7). Both modeling approaches indicate young water releases are highly sensitive to hydrological conditions, with stream water shifting to older sources as the network dries. The shift in water age suggests a shift away from rapid fracture flow toward slower matrix flow that creates a sustained but localized surface water presence during late summer and is reflected in the annual dynamics of water age at the catchment outlet. The substantial proportion of young water highlights the vulnerability of non‐perennial streams to short‐term hydroclimatic change, while the late summer shift to older water reveals a sensitivity to longer‐term changes in groundwater dynamics. Combined, this suggests that local changes may propagate through non‐perennial stream networks to influence downstream water availability and quality.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Water Age During Dry‐Down of a Non‐Perennial Stream

Swenson,

Zipper,

Peterson

et al. 2024

Water Resources Research

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“…The holistic method considers physical, ecological, and socio-cultural aspects, but it is expensive to implement continuously and relies on the subjective opinions of experts [12]. The habitat simulation method is considered the most scientifically and legally defensible approach for E-flow, and it helps clarify hydrological-ecological relationships [13,14]. The estimation of E-flow using the habitat simulation method involves a combination of field surveys and modeling.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Europe, especially in Mediterranean regions including Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal, France, Cyprus, and Malta, E-flow has been determined using various methods considering each country's characteristics to conserve non-perennial rivers. Among the methods used in each country, the most used methods were determined to be the hydrological method and the habitat simulation method [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design of Ecological Flow (E-Flow) Considering Watershed Status Using Watershed and Physical Habitat Models

Kim,

Lee,

Woo

et al. 2023

Water

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Ecological flow (E-flow) determination is an essential component of stream management and the preservation of aquatic ecosystems within a watershed. E-flow should be determined while considering the overall status of the watershed, including the hydrological cycle, hydraulic facility operation, and stream ecology. The purpose of this study is to determine E-flow by considering watershed status through coupled modeling with SWAT and PHABSIM. SWAT was calibrated to ensure reliability when coupling the two models, using observed data that included streamflow and dam inflows. The calibration result of SWAT showed that the averages of R2, NSE, and RMSE were 0.62, 0.57, and 1.68 mm/day, respectively, showing satisfactory results. Flow duration analysis using the SWAT results was performed to apply to discharge boundary conditions for PHABSIM. The averages of Q185 (mid-range flows) and Q275 (dry conditions) were suitable to simulate fish habitat. The habitat suitability index derived through a fish survey was applied to PHABSIM to estimate E-flow. E-flow was estimated at 20.0 m3/s using the coupled model and compared with the notified instream flow by the Ministry of Environment. The results demonstrate a high level of applicability for the coupled modeling approach between the watershed and physical habitat simulation models. Our attempt at coupled modeling can be utilized to determine E-flow considering the watershed status.

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“…The e-flow suitable to fulfil the habitat needs of these species and indicative of good ecological status is represented by the multiannual mean of the average minimum discharge of 30 continuous days during the warm season (May-October). Moreover, the low flow and e-flow are linked in that ecological considerations should also be made during low flow and ensure that rivers maintain their ecological and environmental functions, even when the flow is reduced [47,48]. Short-term stressful low flows in Lithuania typically occur in late summer or early autumn [44].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Teleconnection Patterns on the Formation of Potential Ecological Flow Variables in Lowland Rivers

Gurjazkaitė,

Akstinas,

Meilutytė-Lukauskienė

2023

Water

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Climate is probably the most important factor affecting river discharge and flow dynamics. Low flows in rivers during the warm period cause stress to aquatic ecosystems and pose a challenge to sustainable water management. Previous research has shown that the average minimum discharge of the 30 driest continuous days, known as Q30, is a suitable measure for ecological flow estimation in Lithuania. This study aims to examine whether large-scale atmospheric processes, so-called teleconnections, can have an impact on Q30 during the warm period. Hydrological data for 1961–2020 from 25 water gauging stations were used to search for hydrological response signals with five selected climate indices (NAO, SCA, POL, EA/WR, and EA). Pearson correlation and Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test approaches were applied. The results suggested that the EA/WR and NAO had the strongest influence on Q30 in the studied region during the warm period. The positive phases of the indices tended to cause a greater decrease in Q30 values due to the prevailing easterly edge of the anticyclonic circulation over the studied region determined by the EA/WR and NAO indices, while the negative phases of the mentioned indices caused an increase and greater dispersion of Q30.

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Ecological flow in southern Europe: Status and trends in non-perennial rivers

Cited by 12 publications

References 99 publications

Changes in Water Age During Dry‐Down of a Non‐Perennial Stream

Changes in Water Age During Dry‐Down of a Non‐Perennial Stream

Design of Ecological Flow (E-Flow) Considering Watershed Status Using Watershed and Physical Habitat Models

Effect of Teleconnection Patterns on the Formation of Potential Ecological Flow Variables in Lowland Rivers

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