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Title: Global patterns and drivers of ecosystem functioning in rivers and riparian zones

Journal Article · · Science Advances
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  128. Univ. of Notre Dame, IN (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

River ecosystems receive and process vast quantities of terrestrial organic carbon, the fate of which depends strongly on microbial activity. Variation in and controls of processing rates, however, are poorly characterized at the global scale. In response, we used a peer-sourced research network and a highly standardized carbon processing assay to conduct a global-scale field experiment in greater than 1000 river and riparian sites. We found that Earth’s biomes have distinct carbon processing signatures. Slow processing is evident across latitudes, whereas rapid rates are restricted to lower latitudes. Both the mean rate and variability decline with latitude, suggesting temperature constraints toward the poles and greater roles for other environmental drivers (e.g., nutrient loading) toward the equator. These results and data set the stage for unprecedented “next-generation biomonitoring” by establishing baselines to help quantify environmental impacts to the functioning of ecosystems at a global scale.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1490565
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1493114
Journal Information:
Science Advances, Vol. 5, Issue 1; ISSN 2375-2548
Publisher:
AAASCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 117 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

References (29)

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Cited By (11)

Comparison of organic matter in intermittent and perennial rivers of Mediterranean Chile with the support of citizen science journal July 2019
Leaf litter traits predominantly control litter decomposition in streams worldwide journal June 2019
Measuring function and structure of urban headwater streams with citizen scientists journal April 2019
The freshwater biome gradient framework: predicting macroscale properties based on latitude, altitude, and precipitation journal July 2019
Plant phylogenetic history explains in‐stream decomposition at a global scale journal August 2019
Hierarchical variation in cellulose decomposition in least-disturbed reference streams: a multi-season study using the cotton strip assay journal August 2019
Slow degradation of compostable plastic carrier bags in a stream and its riparian area journal January 2019
A Humboldtian Approach to Mountain Conservation and Freshwater Ecosystem Services journal December 2019
Local and landscape drivers of aquatic‐to‐terrestrial subsidies in riparian ecosystems: a worldwide meta‐analysis journal April 2019
Comparing biotic drivers of litter breakdown across stream compartments journal May 2019
Leaf litter decomposition in boreal lakes: variable mass loss and nutrient release ratios across a geographic gradient journal December 2019

Linked Research (1)

Figures / Tables (4)

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