Hydroscape
Lead Research Organisation:
Lancaster University
Department Name: Lancaster Environment Centre
Abstract
All types of ecosystems exhibit connectivity at some level. However, connectivity is the quintessential property of aquatic systems. Connectivity matters in freshwaters because it is the means by which energy, materials, organisms and genetic resources move within and between hydrological units of the landscape (the 'hydroscape'). Hydrological connectivity is a particularly effective vector for multiple climatic, biological, chemical and physical stressors, although other forms of connectivity also link freshwater ecosystems. Our proposal addresses the fundamental question of how connectivity and stressors interact to determine biodiversity and ecosystem function in freshwaters.
Connectivity is multifaceted. It may be tangible - water moves downhill or over floodplains, or more subtle - terrestrial organic matter is incorporated into aquatic food webs. Animals and people naturally gravitate to freshwaters, thus providing additional dispersal vectors that can carry propagules to isolated sites. Connectivity may be passive or active and occurs across scales from the local to the global. Freshwater scientists recognise the fundamental role of connectivity in key paradigms such as the river continuum and flood pulse concepts. Land-water connectivity is also the founding principle behind catchment management. However, in reality, a long tradition of focusing on individual stressors, sites, taxonomic groups or habitats, has led to a highly disjointed view of the most intrinsically interconnected resource on the planet. While the need for an integrated approach to water management is universally acknowledged, an understanding of this most fundamental part of the infrastructure of freshwaters is lacking. This is a serious obstacle to meeting critical societal challenges, namely the maintenance of environmental sustainability in the face of multiplying human-induced stresses. Without a more integrated view of the freshwater landscape we struggle to answer basic questions. These include (i) how do organisms, nutrients and energy move naturally within and between landscapes? (ii) how is this basic template altered by different stressors, singly or in combination? (iii) how has widespread alteration of land cover and of the basic infrastructure of freshwaters that largely drives connectivity, redistributed pressures and modified their effects? (iv) how should reductions in stressors and changes to connectivity, that are now widely implemented, be prioritised when seeking to restore biodiversity and ecosystem function?
Our primary aims are to (1) determine how hydrological, spatial and biological connectivity impact on freshwater ecosystem structure and function in contrasting landscape types, and (2) use this understanding to forecast how freshwaters nationally will respond to (i) multiple, interacting pressures and (ii) management actions designed to reduce pressures and/or alter connectivity. We will achieve these aims by working at different spatial (landscape vs national) and temporal (sub-annual to decadal vs centennial) scales and using a combination of complementary well established and more novel molecular and stable isotope techniques. We will combine existing data sources (e.g. archived sediment cores, biological surveys and the millions of records held in national databases) with targeted sampling to maximise cost effectiveness and achieve a cross habitat and ecosystem wide reach.
Landscape scale thinking has become the new mantra of nature conservation and environmental bodies but the knowledge needed to ensure resilience to climate change and to underpin large scale conservation and restoration of aquatic landscapes is currently lacking. In this regard an understanding of how biodiversity and ecosystem function respond to the changing connectivity x stressors arena in freshwaters is critical. The outputs of the proposed research will deliver the integrated understanding of the hydroscape that is now required urgently.
Connectivity is multifaceted. It may be tangible - water moves downhill or over floodplains, or more subtle - terrestrial organic matter is incorporated into aquatic food webs. Animals and people naturally gravitate to freshwaters, thus providing additional dispersal vectors that can carry propagules to isolated sites. Connectivity may be passive or active and occurs across scales from the local to the global. Freshwater scientists recognise the fundamental role of connectivity in key paradigms such as the river continuum and flood pulse concepts. Land-water connectivity is also the founding principle behind catchment management. However, in reality, a long tradition of focusing on individual stressors, sites, taxonomic groups or habitats, has led to a highly disjointed view of the most intrinsically interconnected resource on the planet. While the need for an integrated approach to water management is universally acknowledged, an understanding of this most fundamental part of the infrastructure of freshwaters is lacking. This is a serious obstacle to meeting critical societal challenges, namely the maintenance of environmental sustainability in the face of multiplying human-induced stresses. Without a more integrated view of the freshwater landscape we struggle to answer basic questions. These include (i) how do organisms, nutrients and energy move naturally within and between landscapes? (ii) how is this basic template altered by different stressors, singly or in combination? (iii) how has widespread alteration of land cover and of the basic infrastructure of freshwaters that largely drives connectivity, redistributed pressures and modified their effects? (iv) how should reductions in stressors and changes to connectivity, that are now widely implemented, be prioritised when seeking to restore biodiversity and ecosystem function?
Our primary aims are to (1) determine how hydrological, spatial and biological connectivity impact on freshwater ecosystem structure and function in contrasting landscape types, and (2) use this understanding to forecast how freshwaters nationally will respond to (i) multiple, interacting pressures and (ii) management actions designed to reduce pressures and/or alter connectivity. We will achieve these aims by working at different spatial (landscape vs national) and temporal (sub-annual to decadal vs centennial) scales and using a combination of complementary well established and more novel molecular and stable isotope techniques. We will combine existing data sources (e.g. archived sediment cores, biological surveys and the millions of records held in national databases) with targeted sampling to maximise cost effectiveness and achieve a cross habitat and ecosystem wide reach.
Landscape scale thinking has become the new mantra of nature conservation and environmental bodies but the knowledge needed to ensure resilience to climate change and to underpin large scale conservation and restoration of aquatic landscapes is currently lacking. In this regard an understanding of how biodiversity and ecosystem function respond to the changing connectivity x stressors arena in freshwaters is critical. The outputs of the proposed research will deliver the integrated understanding of the hydroscape that is now required urgently.
Planned Impact
Our project bridges the gap between policy/management needs and state-of-the-art scientific research on the impacts of connectivity and multiple stressors on freshwater ecosystems. Outputs will provide the scientific evidence base and regulatory guidance needed to support the future sustainable management of freshwater landscapes at the local, national and international scale.
Our results will be useful to organisations engaged in waterbody restoration, biological conservation, the control of invasive species and diseases of wildlife and humans. At the national scale, these include organisations such as Scottish Natural Heritage, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, Environment Agency, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, GB Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS), water utility companies, Wildlife Trusts, National Trust, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Plantlife, Buglife and the Rivers Trusts, with all of whom we have long established working relationships. More locally, organisations such as the Norfolk Ponds Project, Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service, Norfolk Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group, Natural England, Norfolk Rivers Trust, Broads Authority (a project partner), River Glaven Conservation Group, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Eden Rivers Trust, Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre, Forth Fisheries Trust, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Buglife Scotland, and many other similar organisations will also benefit from a better understanding of the links between connectivity and environmental stressors. In particular, we expect the results of this work to challenge the widely held belief that re-connecting isolated waterbodies and removing obstructions to fish migration are essential features of restoration projects. For example, in highly impacted systems, the adverse effect of the spread of invasive species and/or pollution caused by such re-connections may be greater than any benefit provided by links to refugia that can provide biological source material for recolonisation.
At the local level, our research outputs will help water managers improve biodiversity and habitat quality in a sustainable way. This will result in greater amenity value, with local businesses benefitting from more visitors and increased income, and increases in native biodiversity and water quality, which will help meet conservation objectives. Residents, visitors and local schools will gain a better understanding of the links between environmental stressors, connectivity, biodiversity and ecosystem function, especially through their combined impact on ecosystem service provision.
At the UK level, the results will provide environmental and conservation agencies (e.g. EA, SEPA, SNH, NRW, NE, Defra, RSPB) and policy makers with a better understanding of the processes involved in achieving the sustainable management of freshwaters and their catchments. In particular, appreciating that measures aimed at restoring a particular site may be impacted by connectivity across the freshwater landscape.
At an international level, the results are expected to inform the implementation of the 2020 EU Biodiversity Strategy, which aims to "halt the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services". More specific international beneficiaries are the Directorate General for the Environment (DG Environment) in relation to informing Water Policy (Water Framework Directive) and Biodiversity Policy (Europe 2020). The proposed work on heavy metals pollution links directly to the EU Environmental Quality Standards Directive (2008/105/EC), which has the "aim of ensuring that existing levels of contamination in biota and sediments will not significantly increase....". We are also focusing on trace metals that are currently listed as 'Priority Substances' or 'Priority Hazardous Substances' under the Water Framework Directive.
Our results will be useful to organisations engaged in waterbody restoration, biological conservation, the control of invasive species and diseases of wildlife and humans. At the national scale, these include organisations such as Scottish Natural Heritage, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, Environment Agency, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, GB Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS), water utility companies, Wildlife Trusts, National Trust, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Plantlife, Buglife and the Rivers Trusts, with all of whom we have long established working relationships. More locally, organisations such as the Norfolk Ponds Project, Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service, Norfolk Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group, Natural England, Norfolk Rivers Trust, Broads Authority (a project partner), River Glaven Conservation Group, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Eden Rivers Trust, Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre, Forth Fisheries Trust, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Buglife Scotland, and many other similar organisations will also benefit from a better understanding of the links between connectivity and environmental stressors. In particular, we expect the results of this work to challenge the widely held belief that re-connecting isolated waterbodies and removing obstructions to fish migration are essential features of restoration projects. For example, in highly impacted systems, the adverse effect of the spread of invasive species and/or pollution caused by such re-connections may be greater than any benefit provided by links to refugia that can provide biological source material for recolonisation.
At the local level, our research outputs will help water managers improve biodiversity and habitat quality in a sustainable way. This will result in greater amenity value, with local businesses benefitting from more visitors and increased income, and increases in native biodiversity and water quality, which will help meet conservation objectives. Residents, visitors and local schools will gain a better understanding of the links between environmental stressors, connectivity, biodiversity and ecosystem function, especially through their combined impact on ecosystem service provision.
At the UK level, the results will provide environmental and conservation agencies (e.g. EA, SEPA, SNH, NRW, NE, Defra, RSPB) and policy makers with a better understanding of the processes involved in achieving the sustainable management of freshwaters and their catchments. In particular, appreciating that measures aimed at restoring a particular site may be impacted by connectivity across the freshwater landscape.
At an international level, the results are expected to inform the implementation of the 2020 EU Biodiversity Strategy, which aims to "halt the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services". More specific international beneficiaries are the Directorate General for the Environment (DG Environment) in relation to informing Water Policy (Water Framework Directive) and Biodiversity Policy (Europe 2020). The proposed work on heavy metals pollution links directly to the EU Environmental Quality Standards Directive (2008/105/EC), which has the "aim of ensuring that existing levels of contamination in biota and sediments will not significantly increase....". We are also focusing on trace metals that are currently listed as 'Priority Substances' or 'Priority Hazardous Substances' under the Water Framework Directive.
Description | The key findings generated by the work funded through this award are: 1. We have generated new data that demonstrate how lakes can significantly impact the downstream transport of nitrogen through networks of interconnected rivers and lakes. These data offer new insights into the controls exerted by lakes on nutrient availability in freshwaters downstream of lakes, but also into the controls acting on the movement of nitrogen from terrestrial to marine ecosystems. The net impact of many of the lakes examined is to drawdown nitrate from inflowing streams or rivers, such that the concentration of nitrate released to downstream aquatic ecosystems is reduced. The impact of individual lakes varies with season and with lake trophic status, with maximum nitrate drawdown observed in summer and in lakes that are nutrient-enriched. These observations indicate a significant metabolic control on nitrogen drawdown within lakes. The nitrate stable nitrogen and oxygen isotope data collected through this work provide insight into the mechanisms that underpin the impacts of lakes on nitrate transport within river-lake networks. 2. Our data also suggest that, under certain conditions, lakes may provide a nutrient subsidy to downstream aquatic ecosystems. Firstly, in nutrient-enriched lakes that are strongly stratified through the spring and summer, subsequent mixing of the lake water column in autumn may release ammonium from the lake hypolimnion that is exported to downstream aquatic ecosystems. Secondly, in some nutrient-poor upland lakes, nitrate subsidies are provided by lakes to downstream aquatic ecosystems, apparently controlled by the ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus within streams flowing into a lake. Through analysing and interpreting stable isotope data, we gain insights into the sources and the mechanisms responsible for these nutrient subsidies. 3. Our research has included development of a novel methodology to determine the stable nitrogen isotope composition of diatom frustules. Diatoms are single-celled algae that live within streams and lakes and have the potential to act as bioindicators for the sources and the cycling of reactive nutrients within these aquatic ecosystems. Having developed the necessary analytical methodology, we are currently determining the stable nitrogen isotope composition of a range of diatom samples collected under the Hydroscape project. This research will determine the potential to use stable isotope analysis of diatom frustules in order to better understand reactive nutrient sources and cycling in freshwater ecosystems. |
Exploitation Route | The key findings described above have potential to be taken forward through the following routes: 1. The provision of underpinning evidence to support the development of new/revised environmental policy and practice, focussed on the conservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems. Specifically, through demonstrating the interdependence between water quality in lakes and in rivers/streams, our research suggests that aquatic ecosystem connectivity must be better recognised as a control on meeting the environmental objectives set for aquatic ecosystems. 2. The academic research community is likely to take forward both a new/revised conceptual framework for understanding the inter-relationships between nutrient biogeochemistry within lakes and river/stream ecosystems, alongside the potential for new analytical approaches based on stable isotope techniques to deliver improved understanding of nutrient biogeochemistry within aquatic ecosystems. |
Sectors | Environment Government Democracy and Justice |
Description | A number of the research outcomes from the Hydroscape project have been used to inform an on-going collaboration between Lancaster University, UK Water Industry Research and the Environment Agency. This collaboration is focussed on the role of nitrogen and phosphorus in controlling primary production and the risk of eutrophication in freshwater ecosystems, in particular how future policy, monitoring and regulation should be designed to best conserve and restore freshwaters in the UK. This is an on-going activity and we expect further impacts to arise. Further, outcomes from Hydroscape have underpinned a significant citizen science project led by PI Surridge and focussed on freshwater quality in Windermere and the network of streams, rivers and lakes that are connected to Windermere. This project has engaged and trained over 250 members of the public to collect water samples from the freshwaters across the catchment for subsequent water quality analyses. The project also involves collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders in the catchment, including Lake District National Park Authority, Environment Agency, United Utilities and National Trust. Outcomes from the project are being used to underpin development of future management strategies for the lake and its catchment. |
First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
Sector | Environment |
Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
Description | Developing a speleothem record of groundwater legacy nitrogen. |
Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | CEH_L_125_11_2018 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2019 |
End | 01/2021 |
Description | Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Facility Analytical Support |
Amount | £15,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | LSMSF CEH_L_114_05_2018 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2018 |
Description | Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Facility Analytical Support |
Amount | £20,400 (GBP) |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2017 |
Title | Chlorophyll absorbance data from lake and river samples incubated with different nutrient combinations in the English Lake District, Norfolk Broads and Greater Glasgow, 2017-2018 |
Description | The dataset contains spectrophotometrically measured chlorophyll absorbance data from lake and river samples incubated with different nitrogen, phosphorus, silica or combined nutrients, as bioassays, either ex situ for phytoplankton or in situ for periphyton. These data were collected from sites in the English Lake District, Norfolk Broads and Greater Glasgow area in 2017 and 2018 as part of the NERC funded Freshwater Highlight Topic 'Hydroscape'. The work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (Grant NE/N00597X/1). |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | None to date |
URL | https://catalogue.ceh.ac.uk/id/2ea22f99-242c-4524-a5dc-3067a5f97a72 |
Title | Nutrient concentration and stable isotope data from water samples across river-lake networks in the English Lake District and Norfolk Broads, 2017-2018 |
Description | This dataset contains information about the background hydrochemistry and nutrient biogeochemistry of water samples collected from networks of interconnected rivers and lakes. Each water sample was analysed for the concentration of multiple fractions of nitrogen and phosphorus, and for the stable oxygen and nitrogen isotope composition of nitrate. Water samples were collected across the period 2017-2018 from multiple river-lake networks in the English Lake District and the Norfolk Broads. This research was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (Grant NE/N006453/1: Hydroscape - Connectivity x Stressor Interactions) |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | None to date |
URL | https://catalogue.ceh.ac.uk/id/0d6de9b6-1f80-4f78-b65a-503db8ba63cf |
Description | MUTUAL: Multi-isotope and chemical tracking for understanding the sources and fate of macronutrients at the basin scale |
Organisation | BRGM (French geological survey) |
Country | France |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Through a series of multi-disciplinary, international workshops, I contributed my background expertise, as well as conceptual frameworks and empirical data from the Hydroscape project, to the MUTUAL consortium. This activity included contributions to research presentations and training events with collaborators and other partners, as well as publicallly-facing engagement events. |
Collaborator Contribution | Each partner made a similar contribution of background intellectual expertise and empirical data to the collaboration. |
Impact | The MUTUAL project is a multi-disciplinary and international collaboration. The academic disciplines involved in the collaboration include biogeochemistry, microbiology, hydrogeology, ecology and geology. There is also cross-sectoral collaboration in the partnership, involving academic researchers, policy makers and government scientists. The MUTUAL project has led to a presentation at the European Geoscience Union General Assembly 2021 (Neus et al, Modelling the impact of soil processes on the N and O isotope signatures of nitrate in groundwater) and a related manuscript for submission to a journal is currently in progress. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | MUTUAL: Multi-isotope and chemical tracking for understanding the sources and fate of macronutrients at the basin scale |
Organisation | British Geological Survey |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Through a series of multi-disciplinary, international workshops, I contributed my background expertise, as well as conceptual frameworks and empirical data from the Hydroscape project, to the MUTUAL consortium. This activity included contributions to research presentations and training events with collaborators and other partners, as well as publicallly-facing engagement events. |
Collaborator Contribution | Each partner made a similar contribution of background intellectual expertise and empirical data to the collaboration. |
Impact | The MUTUAL project is a multi-disciplinary and international collaboration. The academic disciplines involved in the collaboration include biogeochemistry, microbiology, hydrogeology, ecology and geology. There is also cross-sectoral collaboration in the partnership, involving academic researchers, policy makers and government scientists. The MUTUAL project has led to a presentation at the European Geoscience Union General Assembly 2021 (Neus et al, Modelling the impact of soil processes on the N and O isotope signatures of nitrate in groundwater) and a related manuscript for submission to a journal is currently in progress. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | MUTUAL: Multi-isotope and chemical tracking for understanding the sources and fate of macronutrients at the basin scale |
Organisation | University of Barcelona |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Through a series of multi-disciplinary, international workshops, I contributed my background expertise, as well as conceptual frameworks and empirical data from the Hydroscape project, to the MUTUAL consortium. This activity included contributions to research presentations and training events with collaborators and other partners, as well as publicallly-facing engagement events. |
Collaborator Contribution | Each partner made a similar contribution of background intellectual expertise and empirical data to the collaboration. |
Impact | The MUTUAL project is a multi-disciplinary and international collaboration. The academic disciplines involved in the collaboration include biogeochemistry, microbiology, hydrogeology, ecology and geology. There is also cross-sectoral collaboration in the partnership, involving academic researchers, policy makers and government scientists. The MUTUAL project has led to a presentation at the European Geoscience Union General Assembly 2021 (Neus et al, Modelling the impact of soil processes on the N and O isotope signatures of nitrate in groundwater) and a related manuscript for submission to a journal is currently in progress. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | MUTUAL: Multi-isotope and chemical tracking for understanding the sources and fate of macronutrients at the basin scale |
Organisation | University of Calgary |
Country | Canada |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Through a series of multi-disciplinary, international workshops, I contributed my background expertise, as well as conceptual frameworks and empirical data from the Hydroscape project, to the MUTUAL consortium. This activity included contributions to research presentations and training events with collaborators and other partners, as well as publicallly-facing engagement events. |
Collaborator Contribution | Each partner made a similar contribution of background intellectual expertise and empirical data to the collaboration. |
Impact | The MUTUAL project is a multi-disciplinary and international collaboration. The academic disciplines involved in the collaboration include biogeochemistry, microbiology, hydrogeology, ecology and geology. There is also cross-sectoral collaboration in the partnership, involving academic researchers, policy makers and government scientists. The MUTUAL project has led to a presentation at the European Geoscience Union General Assembly 2021 (Neus et al, Modelling the impact of soil processes on the N and O isotope signatures of nitrate in groundwater) and a related manuscript for submission to a journal is currently in progress. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Conference presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Conference presentation made at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly in 2021 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | ISOCYCLES 2017 poster presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Poster presentation was made at the ISOCYCLES 2017 international conference. This event was co-organised by Dr Ben Surridge and funded by ETH Zurich. The audience was international, drawn from academia and industry and numbered 50-100 individuals. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |