Intermittent Rivers: A Challenge for Freshwater Ecology

For many decades, river research has been focused on perennial rivers. Intermittent river research has a shorter history, and recent studies suggest that alternating dry and wet conditions alter virtually all biotic communities and biogeochemical processes in these rivers. Intermittent rivers constitute more than half of the length of the global river network and are increasing in number and length in response to climate change, landuse alteration, and water abstraction. Our views of the roles that rivers play in maintaining biodiversity and controlling material fluxes will change substantially when intermittent rivers are fully integrated into regional and global analyses. Concepts, questions, and…

• NI
  National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
• EC
  European Commission
• FP
  Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversite
• ON
  Office National de l’Eau et des Milieux Aquatiques