High variability is a defining component of mediterranean-climate rivers and their biota

摘要: Variability in flow as a result of seasonal precipitation patterns is defining element streams and rivers Mediterranean-climate regions the world strongly influences biota these unique systems. areas include Mediterranean Basin parts Australia, California, Chile, South Africa. can experience wet winters consequent floods to severe droughts, when intermittency otherwise perennial systems occur. Inter-annual variation multi-year droughts or consecutive years. Spatial (rain vs. snow) combined with topographic variability lead spatial hydrologic that influence populations communities. are global biodiversity hotspots particularly vulnerable human impacts. Biomonitoring, conservation efforts, management responses climate change require approaches account for temporal (including both intra- inter-annual). The importance long-term data sets understanding managing highlights need sustained coordinated research efforts rivers.