Book chapter
Riparian wetlands of tropical streams
Tropical Stream Ecology, pp.199-217
Elsevier Inc.
2008
Abstract
This chapter focuses on riparian wetlands associated with low. -order tropical streams. Riparian wetlands are temporarily or permanently inundated and/or water. -logged zones along the margins of streams and rivers. These wetlands provide valuable habitats for diverse and highly specialized flora and fauna and also serve as important longitudinal and transversal corridors for exchange of material and dispersal of biota. These wetlands also perform important ecosystem functions locally as well as at the catchment scale. All riparian wetlands are subject to significant modification by humans, which compromises their functional integrity. It includes temporary wetlands along the margins of "flashy." spate. -prone streams as well as flood. -pulsing wetlands arranged as "pearls on a string" along river or steam corridors. Permanent, moist wetlands are dominant in areas with high precipitation, low drainage, and shallow groundwater tables. The three main criteria used for categorizing these wetlands are water permanency, exchange pathways of water and material, and substrate type. Riparian wetlands are important for the biodiversity of aquatic and terrestrial species. Plant biodiversity of riparian wetlands in seasonal Neotropics is very high. Food webs in riparian wetlands are generally made up of short chains with a high degree of omnivory. Their structure is influenced by hydrology and usually depends on the maintenance of hydrological connectivity. Most riparian wetlands are highly productive, providing material and energy for adjacent ecosystems.
Details
- Title
- Riparian wetlands of tropical streams
- Authors
- Karl M Wantzen (Author) - University of Konstanz, GermanyCatherine M Yule (Author) - Monash University Malaysia, MalaysiaKlement Tockner (Author) - Department of Limnology, SwitzerlandWolfgang J Junk (Author) - Max-Planck Institute of Limnology, Germany
- Contributors
- David Dudgeon (Editor) - University of Hong Kong
- Publication details
- Tropical Stream Ecology, pp.199-217
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc.
- Date published
- 2008
- DOI
- 10.1016/B978-012088449-0.50009-1; 10.1016/B978-0-12-088449-0.X5001-8
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451251402621
- Output Type
- Book chapter
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