Riparian Ecosystems in the 21st Century: Hotspots for Climate Change Adaptation?

Abstract

Riparian ecosystems in the 21 st Century are likely to play a critical role in determining the vulnerability of natural and human systems to climate change, and in influencing the capacity of these systems to adapt. Some authors have suggested that riparian ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts due to their high levels of exposure and sensitivity to climatic stimuli, and their history of degradation. Others have highlighted the probable resilience of riparian ecosystems to climate change as a result of their evolution under high levels of climatic and environmental variability. We synthesize current knowledge of the vulnerability of riparian ecosystems to climate change by assessing the potential exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity of their key components and processes, as well as ecosystem functions, goods and services, to projected global climatic changes. We review key pathways for ecological and human adaptation for the maintenance, restoration and enhancement of riparian ecosystem functions, goods and services and present emerging principles for planned adaptation. Our synthesis suggests that, in the absence of adaptation, riparian ecosystems are likely to be highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. However, given the critical role of riparian ecosystem functions in landscapes, as well as the strong links between riparian ecosystems and human well-being, considerable means, motives and opportunities for strategically planned adaptation to climate change also exist. The need for planned adaptation of and for riparian ecosystems is likely to be strengthened as the importance of many riparian ecosystem functions, goods and services will grow under a changing climate. Consequently, riparian ecosystems are likely to become adaptation 'hotspots' as the century unfolds.

The magnitude and spatial patterns of historical and future hydrologic change in California's watersheds

“…Projected overall drying and lessening of snowpack depth raises interesting management challenges. In relatively arid regions like parts of California, the need to retain as much water as possible in watersheds for infiltration will likely lead to increased focus on ecosystem adaptation management, particularly for forests, riparian zones, and meadows and wetlands to capture water through natural processes (Millar et al 2012, Capon et al 2013, and to more intensive management of human-controlled systems such as underground storage and the timing and volume water transfers (Hanak and Lund 2012).…”

Structure and composition of altered riparian forests in an agricultural Amazonian landscape

“…Compared to forest fragments in upland regions, we know much less about the dynamics of these altered riparian forests. Because the latter are typically thin strips with high edge : area ratios, changes to both forest microclimate and tree species composition and dynamics may be pronounced, and they are often highly altered and degraded (Capon et al 2013, Stromberg et al 2013. As the configuration and size of a fragment can influence the degree of change following fragmentation, the width of the riparian buffer left behind in altered landscapes may similarly influence changes in forest structure and composition.…”

Relationships between overstory and understory structure and diversity in semi-natural mixed floodplain forests at Bosco Fontana (Italy)

“…Indeed, about 90% of the original floodplain forests disappeared in the last century (Ward et al 1999), mainly due to anthropogenic impacts (Capon et al 2013, Mosner et al 2015. These ecosystems are generally described as "azonal" (Klimo & Hager 2001), meaning that local vegetation community is more affected by local environmental conditions (e.g., flooding) than by overall climatic constraits.…”