From meta-system theory to the sustainable management of rivers in the Anthropocene

Abstract

Regional-scale ecological processes, such as the spatial flows of material, energy, and organisms, are fundamental for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in river networks. Yet these processes remain largely overlooked in most river management practices and underlying policies. Here, we propose adoption of a meta-system approach, where regional processes acting at different levels of ecological organization - populations, communities, and ecosystems - are integrated into conventional river conservation, restoration, and biomonitoring. We also describe a series of measurements and indicators that could be assimilated into the implementation of relevant biodiversity and environmental policies. Finally, we highlight the need for alternative management strategies that can guide practitioners toward applying recent advances in ecology to preserve and restore river ecosystems and the ecosystem services they provide, in the context of increasing alteration of river network connectivity worldwide.

Figure 1

Schematic representation of metapopulations, metacommunities, and meta‐ecosystems in a drying river network. Local populations, communities, and ecosystems (green rectangles) are connected by gene flow, dispersal of individuals, and flow of resources (white arrows), respectively, across the landscape.

Figure 2

Conceptual diagram of the cascading effects of the alteration of river network connectivity across different levels of the meta‐system (ie metapopulation, metacommunity, and meta‐ecosystem) and the socioecological system (ie ecosystem services). Note that for ecosystem services, blue and red arrows represent the flow between service‐providing and service‐benefiting areas (Panel 1).

Figure 3

The current loss of river network connectivity worldwide will be exacerbated by climate change and affect the associated socioecological system. Legislation and regulations at all levels should adapt to these changes, including international agreements and related regional policies (here, examples from Europe), which form the basis of national‐level regulations for water, nature conservation, and spatial planning.