Geomorphology and ecology: Unifying themes for complex systems in biogeomorphology

Stallins, J. Anthony

doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2006.01.005

Cited by 215 publications

(173 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…Melo et al, 2003). Ecological or hydromorphological responses to flooding (rapid recovery or shift to a different form) have been conceptualized over recent decades, invoking ideas including stability, sensitivity, resistance, resilience, stability domains separated by thresholds, nonlinear dynamics and complexity theory (Leopold and Wolman, 1957;Holling, 1973;Schumm, 1979;Phillips, 1992;Downs and Gregory, 1995;Gunderson, 2000;Stallins, 2006). By combining empirical observations and conceptual models, the mechanisms underlying these behaviours are being elucidated, such as the roles of feedback mechanisms and thresholds in maintaining or switching between alternative system states (Dent et al, 2002).…”

Section: Eco-hydromorphic Responses To Environmental Changementioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating ecology with hydromorphology: a priority for river science and management

Vaughan¹,

Diamond²,

Gurnell³

et al. 2007

Aquatic Conservation

285

217

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ABSTRACT1. The assessment of links between ecology and physical habitat has become a major issue in river research and management. Key drivers include concerns about the conservation implications of human modifications (e.g. abstraction, climate change) and the explicit need to understand the ecological importance of hydromorphology as prescribed by the EU's Water Framework Directive. Efforts are focusing on the need to develop 'ecohydromorphology' at the interface between ecology, hydrology and fluvial geomorphology. Here, the scope of this emerging field is defined, some research and development issues are suggested, and a path for development is sketched out.2. In the short term, major research priorities are to use existing literature or data better to identify patterns among organisms, ecological functions and river hydromorphological character. Another early priority is to identify model systems or organisms to act as research foci. In the medium term, the investigation of patternprocesses linkages, spatial structuring, scaling relationships and system dynamics will advance mechanistic understanding. The effects of climate change, abstraction and river regulation, eco-hydromorphic resistance/ resilience, and responses to environmental disturbances are likely to be management priorities. Large-scale catchment projects, in both rural and urban locations, should be promoted to concentrate collaborative efforts, to attract financial support and to raise the profile of eco-hydromorphology.3. Eco-hydromorphological expertise is currently fragmented across the main contributory disciplines (ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, flood risk management, civil engineering), potentially restricting research and development. This is paradoxical given the shared vision across these fields for effective river management based on good science with social impact. A range of approaches is advocated to build sufficient, integrated capacity that will deliver science of real management value over the coming decades.

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Section: Eco-hydromorphic Responses To Environmental Changementioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating ecology with hydromorphology: a priority for river science and management

Vaughan¹,

Diamond²,

Gurnell³

et al. 2007

Aquatic Conservation

285

217

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“…In contrast, the relationships between soil and vegetation have long been of interest to researchers (e.g., Duchaufour, 1998;Pugnaire et al, 2004). Analysis aimed at understanding the relationships between geomorphology and vegetation also has a long history (e.g., Howard and Mitchell, 1985;Stallins, 2006;Viles, 1998), as does the study of relationships between soil and climate (e.g., Cerda, 1998). However, such studies have not considered explicitly the concept of diversity as a function of área.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using spatial data mining to analyze area-diversity patterns among soil, vegetation, and climate: A case study from Almería, Spain

et al. 2017

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Area-pedodiversity, area-vegetation diversity, area-bioclimatic belts, diversity and pedodiversity-vegetation diversity-bioclimatic diversity relationships were analyzed for the most arid región of Western Europe (SE Spain). The study is novel in that it analyzed these relationships using as operational geographic units (OGUs) the set of polygons belonging to the same character state (i.e., typology) that defines a zone in a given thematic map. We considered three thematic maps: 1) the map of soil associations (SMU) with 303 different soil associations (i.e., 303 áreas orzones); 2) the map ofpotential vegetation (PNV) with 40 vegetation series orzones and 3) the map of bioclimatic belts (BB) with 7 bioclimatic zones. Using GIS tools, we analyzed the contents (richness) of soil mapping units (polygons) with regard to vegetation series and bioclimatic belts as well as the contents of vegetation series and bioclimatic belts with regard to SMU. The results indícate that the relationships between the área and the richness of zones follow a power law, the "fingerprint of fractal geometry", irrespective of the way the área has been defined and their relative magnitude (the áreas defined by SMU are the smallest, while the áreas defined by bioclimatic belts are the largest). The results also indícate a significant correlation between the a diversities of the zones and between their |3 diversities. We conclude that the methods used to measure such correlations, based on a and |3 diversities are useful to investígate and quantify the relationships between the pedosphere, vegetation and climate.

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“…A biogeomorphic perspective, where the vegetated landscape is included when assessing geomorphic characteristics and processes, is valuable for understanding and modeling marsh responses to future sea-level rise (SLR; Stallins 2006;Reed 2002). Marsh vegetation can trap sediment, reduce erosion, increase OM contributions to below-and above-ground biomass, and add nitrogen and carbon to the system (Goman et al 2008;Morris et al 2002;Pethick 2001;Temmerman et al 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Importance of Biogeomorphic and Spatial Properties in Assessing a Tidal Salt Marsh Vulnerability to Sea-level Rise

Thorne

Elliott‐Fisk

Wylie

et al. 2013

Estuaries and Coasts

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We evaluated the biogeomorphic processes of a large (309 ha) tidal salt marsh and examined factors that influence its ability to keep pace with relative sea-level rise (SLR). Detailed elevation data from 1995 and 2008 were compared with digital elevation models (DEMs) to assess marsh surface elevation change during this time. Overall, 37 % (113 ha) of the marsh increased in elevation at a rate that exceeded SLR, whereas 63 % (196 ha) of the area did not keep pace with SLR. Of the total area, 55 % (169 ha) subsided during the study period, but subsidence varied spatially across the marsh surface. To determine which biogeomorphic and spatial factors contributed to measured elevation change, we collected soil cores and determined percent and origin of organic matter (OM), particle size, bulk density (BD), and distance to nearest bay edge, levee, and channel. We then used Akaike Information Criterion (AICc) model selection to assess those variables most important to determine measured elevation change. Soil stable isotope compositions were evaluated to assess the source of the OM. The samples had limited percent OM by weight (<5.5 %), with mean bulk densities of 0.58 g cm -3 , indicating that the soils had high mineral content with a relatively low proportion of pore space. The most parsimonious model with the highest AICc weight (0.53) included distance from bay's edge (i.e., lower intertidal) and distance from levee (i.e., upper intertidal). Close proximity to sediment source was the greatest factor in determining whether an area increased in elevation, whereas areas near landward levees experienced subsidence. Our study indicated that the ability of a marsh to keep pace with SLR varied across the surface, and assessing changes in elevation over time provides an alternative method to long-term accretion monitoring. SLR models that do not consider spatial variability of biogeomorphic and accretion processes may not correctly forecast marsh drowning rates, which may be especially true in modified and urbanized estuaries. In light of SLR, improving our understanding of elevation change in these dynamic marsh systems will play a crucial role in forecasting potential impacts to their sustainability and the survival of these ecosystems.

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Geomorphology and ecology: Unifying themes for complex systems in biogeomorphology

Cited by 215 publications

References 79 publications

Integrating ecology with hydromorphology: a priority for river science and management

Integrating ecology with hydromorphology: a priority for river science and management

Using spatial data mining to analyze area-diversity patterns among soil, vegetation, and climate: A case study from Almería, Spain

Importance of Biogeomorphic and Spatial Properties in Assessing a Tidal Salt Marsh Vulnerability to Sea-level Rise

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