Floodplain Habitats Research Articles

A TÁJHASZNÁLAT ÉS TÁJGAZDÁLKODÁS VÁLTOZÁSA A MAROSSZÖGBEN (18– 19. SZÁZAD)

Nowadays, 35 independent settlements are located on the Marosszög floodplain, exploiting the opportunities provided by the microrelief. The region’s ecological properties and resources available to society, which change over time, and its natural and landscape characteristics were markedly different from the historical counties of Csongrád and Csanád, and in certain elements the Bánság and also from other regions of the former Torontál county. Marosszö can be divided into several parts from a landscape-geographical point of view, and as a result of the surface development, it has a threefold geomorphological division. The highest areas (88–96 m) are late pleistocene loess-sand free areas. The old holocene high flood plain is located in a lower surface position (82–87 m), while the new holocene low flood plain is located at the deepest level (77–81 m). Starting from the 18th century, in the reorganization process of economic life, mixed (polyculture) farming became dominant, characteristic of the settlement group as a whole. Until the start of the integrated environmental transformation works, society adapted, and its landscape-shaping and environment-transforming activities were only at the local level. The integrated environmental transformation works strongly changed the geographical foundations of social production and the ecological conditions, the former floodplain habitats, floodplain landscapes and habitats, which corresponded to the way of life of livestock keepers and farmers, disappeared. The use of landscape and resources changed and developed significantly, arable farming became dominant. The nature of agricultural activity has shifted towards crop production in fields and animal husbandry in stables.

Establishing perennial strips in a cultivated floodplain for habitat restoration: monitoring over 4 years and success drivers

Floodplains, one of the most biologically diverse and productive ecosystems, are under threat from intensive crop production. Implementing perennial strips alongside agricultural ditches and streams could reduce negative impacts of intensive agriculture and restore wildlife habitats in cultivated floodplains. To successfully set up perennial strips, it is important to understand the parameters that drive their establishment. Here we assessed the establishment success of reed canarygrass (RCG; Phalaris arundinacea) strips in the lake Saint Pierre (LSP) floodplain, Québec, Canada by monitoring RCG biomass and vegetation height over 4 years and identify the factors driving its establishment. A total of 26 RCG strips across six municipalities of LSP were monitored. Biomass and vegetation height of RCG increased over time to reach an average of 5048 kg/ha in year 4 and 104 cm in year 3 in established strips. The RCG established successfully in 62% of surveyed plots and three environmental parameters explained 61% of this success. Establishment of RCG was most successful when a first rain came right after seeding (<3 days). High clay content and low elevation were associated with establishment failures. Overall, our results highlight the ability of RCG strips to restore dense perennial vegetation cover in cultivated floodplain, thereby providing suitable habitat for fish spawning during spring floods. This study provides significant insight into the drivers of establishment of perennial grass strips in highly constrained cultivated areas such as floodplains.

Fossil spring records from central Sudan reveal paleoenvironmental and settlement dynamics in the Eastern Sahel during the last 30 ka

Knowledge of past environmental change and prehistoric settlement dynamics in the Sahel east of the Nile is limited due to the scarcity of suitable sedimentary archives and archaeological sites. Here we present tufa-based paleoenvironmental records from the area of NW Butana (central Sudan, ∼55 km southeast of the Nile River) which show that increased rainfall and spring activity occurred in several discrete intervals during the last ∼30,000 years. Lithostratigraphic data combined with phytolith, malacological, paleopedological, and stable carbon isotope records revealed humidity peaks during late MIS3 and the early and middle Holocene. Gaps in lithological records correlated with dry periods of the Last Glacial Maximum and Younger Dryas. Minor wet pulses coinciding with Late Glacial interstadials indicate an early intensification of the African monsoon, which implies that a sharp climatic boundary existed between the Sahel and the Sahara during this period.These new paleoenvironmental records, together with archaeological evidence from Butana, provide a unique opportunity for understanding human ecology in the eastern Sahel. The peoples who inhabited this dryland area 30+ km from the Nile Valley could not rely on its relatively predictable resources of riverine, floodplain and lake habitats. New models of subsistence and settlement, and strategies of adaptations to seasonal and interannual environmental variability are needed.

ВОДНІ, ПРИБЕРЕЖНО-ВОДНІ ТА ЗАПЛАВНІ БІОТОПИ ТЕРИТОРІЇ РЛП «ЯЛІВЩИНА», ЇХ ВИДОВА РІЗНОМАНІТНІСТЬ ТА ЕКОЛОГО-ЦЕНОТИЧНІ ОСОБЛИВОСТІ

The article is devoted to the study of aquatic, coastal, and floodplain habitats within the territory of the RLP “Yalivshchyna”. It analyzes the species diversity of these habitats and provides data on the classification of biotopes in the RLP “Yalivshchyna”. A preliminary classification scheme, based on the results of original research and some bibliographic data, is presented. The analysis has revealed a significant diversity of aquatic ecosystems in the RLP “Yalivshchyna”, indicating the ecological stability and azonality of these systems within the park. The aquatic, coastal, and floodplain habitats within the study area are characterized by seven main categories (types), which exhibit significant floristic diversity, including 130 species of vascular plants belonging to 78 genera and 41 families. A notable feature of the studied habitats is the presence of a wide-ranging flora of most species due to their influence on water and floodplain systems. This results in the predominance of species characteristic of the Holarctic and Euro-Asian regions. From an ecological perspective, the biotopes of the Stryzhen River within the territory of the RLP “Yalivshchyna” are significantly represented by vascular plant species from limnophytic groups, and marsh and hygrophilic florogenetic complexes. This diversity is influenced by the overregulation of the Stryzhen riverbed, slow flow, and the formation of bottom sediments of varying thicknesses. The aquatic, coastal, and floodplain vegetation of the Stryzhen River is characterized by the presence of monodominant communities typical for this region, which exhibit limited species diversity, similar composition and structure of coenoses, and the influence of adventive species. An inventory of habitats in the channel and floodplain parts of the Stryzhen River was carried out, allowing for an assessment of the natural environment in accordance with modern approaches. The data obtained on these habitats allows for the determination of their hierarchical structure and identification of the stability level of each habitat. This, in turn, will facilitate the development of appropriate conservation strategies for these habitats in the future and can be used to maintain and preserve aquatic ecosystems, ensure the balanced use of natural resources, and support the sustainable development of the RLP “Yalivshchyna”.

Investigating Thresholds for Drought Resistance in Floodplain Forest Tree Species

Abstract Anthropogenic and climatic variables combine to alter river flow regimes worldwide, which can influence shifts in species composition. Exacerbation of drought events in southeastern United States floodplains may have varying impacts on survival and regeneration of high bottomland, low bottomland, and swamp forest species, causing distribution shifts between these forest types. We tested 7-month-old seedlings of the swamp species water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica), Ogeechee tupelo (Nyssa ogeche), and pop ash (Fraxinus caroliniana), and the low bottomland species overcup oak (Quercus lyrata) and water hickory (Carya aquatica) in a controlled experiment with increasing drought treatment. We compared timing to 95% mortality and determined lethal soil moisture thresholds for species. Swamp species were no more vulnerable to mortality under increasing drought than low bottomland hardwood species found in neighboring wet floodplain habitats, suggesting that duration of drought may not be a main driver of compositional shifts between these forests. Study Implications: Natural flows of river systems around the world have been altered by humans and a changing climate. Increased intensity of drought events can affect tree species growing adjacent to rivers and influence their ability to reproduce, thus changing the composition of floodplain forests. We tested the drought tolerance of three swamp species accustomed to frequent flooding and two low bottomland hardwood species accustomed to less frequent flooding to see which species might be more affected by drought. We observed no differences between these two groups, suggesting that greater flood tolerance may not imply greater drought intolerance.

Estimating the benefits of floodplain restoration to juvenile Chinook salmon in the upper San Francisco Estuary, United States, under future climate scenarios

Many river systems within the Central Valley of California have been disconnected from their floodplains, hypothesized to be partially responsible for declining Chinook salmon populations (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). The primary floodplain of the system, Yolo By‐Pass (known regionally as “Yolo Bypass”), offered an opportunity to examine whether improved connectivity between the floodplain and river could limit negative climate change effects on salmon populations. Specifically, the top of the floodplain (Fremont Weir) is being modified to provide Sacramento River Chinook salmon better access to floodplain rearing habitat. We estimated restoration effects on the Yolo By‐Pass flood regime now and under future climate scenarios using flow rating curves. Additionally, we used temperature and flow‐specific effects on Chinook salmon population dynamics within the Yolo By‐Pass and Sacramento River complex to describe how the restoration project and climate change may interact to affect juvenile Chinook salmon biomass production. Our results indicate that the Fremont Weir restoration project will extend the frequency, timing, and duration of Yolo By‐Pass flooding. Our production model indicates that the modification will result in greater salmon entrainment rates into the Yolo By‐Pass, where salmon growth rates, survival rates, and biomass production were higher when compared to the Sacramento River main stem. The project appears to benefit all regional runs of Chinook salmon, which should help support life history diversity. Our results suggest that the weir modification should benefit native fish from the Central Valley that use floodplain habitat and that these benefits may be resilient to challenges created by a changing climate.

An evaluation of tradeoffs in restoring ephemeral vs. perennial habitats to conserve animal populations

IntroductionHabitat loss and degradation pose significant threats to global fish and wildlife populations, prompting substantial investments in habitat creation and restoration efforts. Not all habitats provide equal benefits, leading to challenges in prioritizing restoration actions. For example, juvenile anadromous salmonids require high quality rearing aquatic habitats to achieve the physiological requirements needed to successfully migrate to the ocean. However, there are profound disagreements among anadromous salmon restoration managers whether it is best to focus efforts on restoring in-channel habitats that are available for the entire rearing period or floodplain habitats that, while facilitating greater growth and survival than in-channel habitats, are only available for a few weeks at a time and are typically only activated every two-to-three years.MethodsWe used an existing fall-run Chinook salmon decision-support model to evaluate under what conditions floodplain restoration would provide greater benefits than in-channel habitat restoration. The simulations included a wide range of floodplain inundation frequencies and durations and floodplain benefits in the form of increased survival and growth relative to in-channel habitats.ResultsThe simulations results indicated that in-channel habitat restoration was always the best habitat restoration action when there was no existing in-channel habitat despite simulating a wide range of flood frequency, duration, and growth and survival benefits. Floodplain restoration was generally best when there was sufficient in-channel habitat available to successfully rear most of the juveniles produced by the returning adult salmon.DiscussionWe hypothesize that in-channel and floodplain habitats have different roles in salmon population maintenance with in-channel habitats regulating the overall population size and floodplains acting as recurrent resource pulses. Our study provides a quantitative framework to evaluate the benefit of these two habitat types and provides generalizable rulesets that can be used by managers when implementing habitat restoration strategies for species that inhabit both in-channel and floodplain habitats.

Capture–translocation restores spawning migration connectivity of Razorback Suckers in the fragmented San Juan River

AbstractObjectiveBarriers to movement negatively affect population vital rates of riverine fishes that rely on connected migratory routes to complete components of their life cycle, such as reproduction and recruitment. In the southwestern United States, decades of water diversion, construction of large impoundments, and loss of floodplain habitats have all contributed to highly fragmented riverscapes. A capture–translocation strategy was implemented for Razorback Suckers Xyrauchen texanus in the San Juan River to mitigate the negative effects of two barriers while precluding the upstream movement of nonnative species. We hypothesized that translocated individuals would remain upstream of barriers during the spawning season and that aggregations of translocated Razorback Suckers would be identified upstream in spawning habitats.MethodsWe used radiotelemetry to assess movement of Razorback Suckers after translocation above the two barriers. We deployed fixed remote radio receivers to determine residency time above each barrier and conducted mobile telemetry surveys to monitor upstream destinations after translocation.ResultAlthough most Razorback Suckers returned downstream of barriers within 2 months of translocation, we provide evidence that most individuals remained upstream long enough to successfully spawn. After translocation above the Piute Farms Waterfall, 80% of individuals remained upstream for 26 days in 2020 and for 23 days in 2021. Further upstream (307 km), at a weir operated by the Public Service Company of New Mexico, 80% of translocated individuals remained above the barrier for 37 days in 2021 and for 25 days in 2022. After fish translocation above both barriers, we observed upstream movements ranging from 2 to 262 km and we detected distinct aggregations within the expected spawning season.ConclusionAlthough translocation efforts seasonally reconnect migratory routes for a proportion of the population and may increase spawning potential, other conservation actions are likely still needed to improve recruitment conditions for juvenile fish.

Nutritional characterization of aquatic plants in different floodplain habitats of the Central Amazon

Nutritional characterization of aquatic plants in different floodplain habitats of the Central Amazon

Analysis of studies of floodplain habitats in the Northern steppe region of the Dnipro

The history of floodplain research, originating in the 17th century and continuing to the present day, reflects the general trends in botanical science, evolving from sporadic observations to systematic studies. Initially limited to species descriptions and vegetation characteristics, research gradually enriched itself with analysis of ecological interrelationships and the impact of anthropogenic factors. Studies of floodplains in Ukraine have a long history, yet their development has been uneven, often shaped by external factors such as university and scientific institute advancements, botanical gardens, and the construction of hydroelectric power stations and reservoirs, prompting large-scale expeditions. Military actions in the past century have also influenced the progression of research in distinct stages. The current phase is marked by growing interest in these ecosystems, including floodplain in Northern Steppe of the Dniprо region, yet research remains fragmented, focusing on specific biotopes or river valleys. Therefore, further systematic expansion of research based on predecessors' work, its systematization, and supplementation is necessary. This is particularly pertinent amidst global climate change and increasing anthropogenic influence, as the spread of adventive and invasive species negatively impacts these natural complexes and their native biodiversity. Military activities and environmental crimes pose serious threats to floodplains, leading to their degradation and biodiversity loss. Scientific investigations of floodplains are crucial for their contribution to water resource conservation, water regime regulation, and as unique habitats for many rare and vulnerable plant species requiring protection and preservation. Overall, floodplain research represents a significant direction in contemporary botany and ecology, demanding a comprehensive approach for safeguarding these unique natural complexes in the future.

Variables influencing stream‐type juvenile Chinook Salmon density within floodplain habitat in the Skagit River basin, Washington

AbstractObjectiveDespite decades of restoration work, Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in the Pacific Northwest remain under the protection of the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). Chinook Salmon in the Skagit River basin play a vital role in the abundance and recovery of the Puget Sound Chinook Salmon Evolutionarily Significant Unit, which is currently listed as threatened under the ESA. The stream‐type juvenile (STJ) life history pattern of Chinook Salmon in the Skagit River has higher ocean survival to the adult stage (i.e., productivity) than that of parr or fry out‐migrants, and improvement in STJ Chinook Salmon habitat could increase abundance and diversity in the Skagit River basin. Our objective was to provide recommended ranges of variables shown to influence habitat selection in floodplains by STJ Chinook Salmon.MethodsUsing field observations from 70 sites within the Skagit River basin, we developed generalized linear mixed‐effects models across three seasons in floodplain habitats to correlate variable ranges with densities of STJ Chinook Salmon.ResultModel accuracy varied by season (summer: R2 = 0.24; winter: R2 = 0.56; spring: R2 = 0.54), and significant parameters included velocity, substrate, depth range, and distance to the closest connection with the main stem. Additional significant factors included wood cover, maximum water temperature, velocity range, and interaction of the ranges of velocity and depth. Recommended ranges for habitat variables associated with the highest densities of STJ Chinook Salmon include depths of 40–68 cm, velocities of 0.06–0.33 m/s, substrate sizes of 3–36 mm, and distances of 33–119 m to the main‐stem connection. Water temperatures associated with high juvenile densities varied by season (winter: 4–6°C; summer: 9–14°C).ConclusionOur recommended ranges for habitat variables can be used to refine designs for river restoration projects intended to improve habitat for juvenile Chinook Salmon and other salmonids in the Pacific Northwest.

Addressing inequities and meeting needs of Indigenous communities in floodplain management

Anthropogenic impacts have altered and degraded global ecosystems. Integrated resource management offers an important solution to enhance collaboration, holistic thinking, and equity by considering diverse perspectives in decision making. In Washington State, Floodplains by Design (FbD) is a floodplain management and habitat restoration program that emphasizes bringing together diverse stakeholders and supporting conversations between local, state, and Tribal governments while enhancing environmental justice in the region. Marginalized communities continue to be disproportionately impacted by environmental disturbances. Our project interviewed Tribal natural resource managers to assess the degree to which they felt FbD was supporting their community’s needs. Our research asked three questions: (1) What Tribal needs and inequities associated with floodplains are identified by Tribal natural resource managers? (2) Are these needs and inequities being addressed by FbD? and (3) How can FbD better address these needs and inequities moving forward? We found that while the integrated approach of FbD was driving solutions in some realms, there are ways in which the program could better support needs and address inequities in Tribal communities. Specifically, we found that conventional responses to environmental challenges are rooted in modernist paradigms that have created persistent dualities, including that of human-nature and human-nonhuman. Such a paradigm is in conflict with wellbeing and self-determination of Tribal cultures that are deeply connected to Pacific salmon. In closing, we provide insights on these mechanisms and offer solutions moving forward.

Restored off‐channel pond habitats create thermal regime diversity and refuges within a Mediterranean‐climate watershed

Cool‐water habitats provide increasingly vital refuges for cold‐water fish living on the margins of their historical ranges; consequently, efforts to enhance or create cool‐water habitat are becoming a major focus of river restoration practices. However, the effectiveness of restoration projects for providing thermal refuge and creating diverse temperature regimes at the watershed scale remains unclear. In the Klamath River in northern California, the Karuk Tribe Fisheries Program, the Mid‐Klamath Watershed Council, and the U.S. Forest Service constructed a series of off‐channel ponds that recreate floodplain habitat and support juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and steelhead (O. mykiss) along the Klamath River and its tributaries. We instrumented these ponds and applied multivariate autoregressive time series models of fine‐scale temperature data from ponds, tributaries, and the mainstem Klamath River to assess how off‐channel ponds contributed to thermal regime diversity and thermal refuge habitat in the Klamath riverscape. Our analysis demonstrated that ponds provide diverse thermal habitats that are significantly cooler than creek or mainstem river habitats, even during severe drought. Wavelet analysis of long‐term (10 years) temperature data indicated that thermal buffering (i.e. dampening of diel variation) increased over time but was disrupted by drought conditions in 2021. Our analysis demonstrates that in certain situations, human‐made off‐channel ponds can increase thermal diversity in modified riverscapes even during drought conditions, potentially benefiting floodplain‐dependent cold‐water species. Restoration actions that create and maintain thermal regime diversity and thermal refuges will become an essential tool to conserve biodiversity in climate‐sensitive watersheds.

Tikuna Perceptions of Extreme Weather Events: A Case Study on an Indigenous Lands in the Upper Solimões River, Brazil

The synergistic effects of extreme weather events and socioecological vulnerability are still poorly documented for Amazonian indigenous peoples. Herein, we investigated the impacts of recent extreme weather events on Tikuna villages. Tikuna are ancient people of the Amazon, with an estimated population of approximately 53 thousand people widely distributed along the upper Solimões River in the western Brazilian Amazon. The fieldwork was carried out between October 10 and December 10, 2018, using participatory research, including focus group interviews and free-listing exercises. Four extreme weather events were recalled, namely, the extreme floods of 2009, the subsequent extreme drought of 2010, and the extreme floods of 2012 and 2015. The results indicated that Tikuna from some villages are adopting migration from floodplain habitats to nonflooded lands as a coping strategy to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. This process was characterized by famine periods, internal divisions, and increased vulnerability. The three villages have rich traditional knowledge and live on a large diversity of biological resources, base for a fishing economy and for an agroforestry system, the original indigenous subsistence agriculture with a high level of self-sufficiency in terms of food. Until our study, Tikunas had not received any information about the global climate emergency. Our findings can contribute to formulating public policies to provide support for adapting to climate change. These policies must ensure the participation of the Tikuna and other indigenous peoples in local and national discussions on climate change, strengthening their capacity to develop adaptation strategies based on their ancestral knowledge.

Habitat preferences and phytocoenotic range of Reynoutria japonica Houtt. in Ukraine

Based on vegetation plots extracted from phytosociological databases and literature sources, the current distribution of Reynoutria japonica in Ukraine was assessed in terms of habitat preferences and phytocoenotic affiliation. It has been found that R. japonica in Ukraine is spread across four habitat types: anthropogenic areas, floodplain forests, shrublands, and gravel bars. The most frequent occurrences of the studied species were found in anthropogenic habitats covered by mesophilous nitrophilous tall herbs. Within the floodplain habitats, R. japonica was most frequently found in temperate riparian willow-poplar forests and temperate riparian hardwood forests. R. japonica is much less frequently related to shrub habitats and gravel bars. It occurs with different covers, reaching its maximum values on anthropogenic sites. The analysis of the phytocoenotic range of species showed that it is a component of the vegetation belonging to the classes Epilobietea angustifolii, Salicetea purpurea, Alno glutinosae-Populetea albae, and Thlaspietea rotundifolii. The analysis of habitat types and plant communities with the participation of R. japonica in Ukraine showed that the species occurs in ecological environments closely related to those that are characteristic of the species in its native range – mesophylous soils, rich in nutrients, which is a favorable factor in the process of species accelerated adaptation to new territories.

Amphibians of the genus Rana in the steppe zone of Ukraine: population status, distribution, and ecological features

Frogs of the genus Rana Linnaeus, 1758 are represented in the steppe zone of Ukraine by their southernmost populations. The distribution of brown frogs in the steppe zone of Ukraine is closely related to the floodplain forests of major rivers (Dnipro, Dnister, Danube, Southern Bug, Oril, Samara, Donets, etc.). The paper presents for the first time data on the distribution, ecological and population features, habitats, specifics of reproduction and development of brown frogs. New habitats of R. arvalis were found in the floodplain habitats of the lower reaches of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast and populations were confirmed in Dnipropetrovsk and Kirovohrad oblasts. The southern border is intrazonal. The new southernmost localities are described from Kherson Oblast (the villages of Pravi Solontsi and Krynky). The habitats belong to forest type habitats (G). The mean abundance of frogs is 5–10 individuals per 1 km of route and can reach 50 individuals per 10 m2 during the spawning season (Black Forest Reserve, Kirovohrad Oblast). The breeding season is in late March to early April at air temperatures of +3–4 to 8–12°C and water temperatures of +7–9°C. The mating process is short. The Dnipro isolates of R. arvalis may be of relict nature, form a series of refugia and be of important historical and indicator value. Given the overall reduction in the range of R. arvalis within its core area, active populations in the south can be valuable reserves for the conservation of the species and the sustainability of steppe biodiversity. Two other species, R. temporaria and R. dalmatina, were not found and their habitat within the steppe zone has not yet been confirmed. As typical forest species, they are common closer to the forest-steppe zone. Given the current state of brown frog populations in the steppe zone of Ukraine, their low numbers and isolation, they need regional protection along with their habitats. The issue of determining the origin of the identified populations in order to form an idea of the historical and genetic value of the southernmost populations of brown frogs in Ukraine remains promising.

It is not a mere piece of the mainland: Fluvial islands contribute to regional spider diversity in a seasonally flooded Amazonian archipelago

Abstract Islands and analogous insular habitats are found in several ecological contexts. With the exception of oceanic islands, however, the contribution of these insular habitats to regional biodiversity remains poorly investigated, especially in tropical regions. We investigated the understory spider assemblages in an Amazonian river archipelago to evaluate the contribution of fluvial islands to regional spider diversity. We collected spiders on 30 islands ranging from 1 to 1527 ha and at 23 sites in mainland habitats represented by continuous igapó flooded forests and terra firme forests. Spiders were collected by shaking the vegetation over a white sheet during a standardised time of 30 min. From 1404 adult individuals, we identified 290 spider species or morphospecies, with 150 species being recorded on the fluvial islands, 122 in the igapó flooded forests and 103 in the terra firme forests. Spider assemblages of fluvial islands exhibit lower alpha diversity and equitability compared with mainland habitats. The species composition of fluvial islands was significantly distinct from that of mainland habitats, even when compared with neighbouring igapó flooded forests. Several families and species of spider were significantly associated with a particular habitat, including 8 families and 10 species identified as indicators of fluvial islands. Fluvial islands effectively contribute to regional diversity since their spider fauna is not a mere impoverished subset of species from mainland habitats. Events that alter the flood pulse in Amazonian rivers (e.g., construction of hydroelectric dams) could threaten the unique biological assemblages of the floodplain habitats, especially the fluvial islands.

Regionally unique ant assemblages associated with community‐based conservation in northwestern Ghana

AbstractCommunity‐based conservation can play an important role in preserving biodiversity, but it is unclear whether such benefits extend to invertebrate communities; in particular, baseline data for insect communities is lacking to assess efficacy of conservation efforts. Here we evaluate ant assemblages across three habitats, protected within the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary (WCHS) in the Upper West Region of Ghana. We compare relative ant species diversity and uniqueness between the sanctuary's Guinea savannah, riparian forest, and floodplain habitats. Ants were collected with other invertebrates using malaise traps, pitfall traps, and yellow pan traps between 2001 and 2011 multiple times per year. From these data, we compiled a list of ant species found, castes collected, and functional groups, and evaluated the differences in ant diversity among the habitats using accumulation curves, assemblage structure comparison, and Morisita‐Horn indices. We also compared the overall WCHS assemblage to other ant assemblages in Western Africa to gain a clearer understanding of relative diversity and uniqueness. We collected 83 species from seven subfamilies and 44 genera; 14 of the species were previously unrecorded in Ghana, including one ant species new to science. Ant species diversity differed among habitats in assemblage composition but not significantly in species richness. We found that the WCHS ant assemblage was relatively unique, sharing only about 35% of species found in similar Côte d'Ivoire habitats, and 25% of other Ghanaian assemblages. Some species present in the WCHS were not found in any of the other compared assemblages. We conclude that community‐based conservation initiatives like the WCHS may play an important role in conserving the biodiversity of ants.

Ecological Status of Floodplains and their Potential to Carbon Storage: Case Study From Three Watersheds in the South Moravian Region, Czech Republic

Abstract Floodplains are important ecosystems that contribute to the ecological stability of the landscape. A number of ecosystem functions and services are significantly influenced by ecological aspects of floodplain habitats. This article focuses on the ecological quality and estimated amount of carbon stored in the biomass of habitats located in the studied watersheds, with an emphasis on floodplains. The habitats and their ecological quality were determined and assessed using the Biotope Valuation Method (BVM), an expert method for evaluating habitat (biotope) types based on eight ecological characteristics, mainly concerning various aspects of their biodiversity and vulnerability. The objective of this study is to compare the resulting assessments of habitats located in floodplains with assessments of habitats situated in the surrounding landscape. The study was carried out on three selected small stream watersheds in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, which differ from each other in terms of the predominant land use and the overall level of anthropogenic pressure on the landscape. The results indicate that floodplains have a higher ecological value compared to the surrounding landscape, except for floodplains in areas with intensive agriculture. The ability of floodplains to store carbon in biomass turned out to be higher in the watershed with a higher percentage of tree stands, where woody plants store significantly more carbon in the biomass compared to other types of vegetation. It has been shown that human pressure on floodplains and land use significantly affects ecosystem functions and services. In addition to the intensity of agriculture, these were, in particular, pressures from an expansion of built-up areas and infrastructure developments, and forest management. In this study, forest stands in floodplain were more stable and had a more beneficial species composition than forests in the surrounding landscape.

Long-term impacts of urban floodplain management and habitat restoration on lizard communities in a Sonoran Desert city

Riparian zones are critical for biodiversity but have suffered widespread degradation and therefore are key targets for ecological restoration. In urban contexts, restoring riparian ecosystems can have widespread benefits but these efforts are often limited by needs to mitigate flood risks and by a lack of long-term monitoring to evaluate efficacy, presenting important challenges for managers. To evaluate restoration potential in urban riparian systems, we studied responses of a diverse Sonoran Desert lizard community to combined flood control and habitat restoration efforts along a major river course and tributary drainage over 15 years in urban Tucson, Arizona. We used a before/after-control/impact design and linear mixed-effect models to estimate species responses to treatments that included bank stabilization and detention basin construction for flood and erosion control combined with passive water harvesting, native vegetation planting and seeding, and targeted creation of microhabitats. Despite marked declines of relative abundances and richness at treated sites immediately following construction, overall impacts were mostly positive or neutral, and negative for just one of six focal species. Most species recovered to pre-treatment levels of abundance within 2–3 years, but recovery dynamics varied with differences in life history traits and habitat use among species. In general, widely-moving, faster-maturing terrestrial species recovered more quickly and responded most positively to restoration, whereas more arboreal species with longer generation times and smaller home ranges took longer to benefit from restoration treatments. Few studies assess impacts of paired urban flood control and habitat restoration on wildlife, and our findings suggest management of urban riparian systems can provide simultaneous benefits to humans and wildlife. Future efforts may be improved by preserving and fostering more heterogeneous cover including key resources such as mature trees, as well as potentially translocating animals into restored but disconnected patches of habitat in urbanized landscapes.