Quantifying the contribution of riparian soils to the provision of ecosystem services

摘要: Riparian areas, the interface between land and freshwater ecosystems, are considered to play a pivotal role in supply of regulating, provisioning, cultural supporting services. Most previous studies, however, have tended focus on intensive agricultural systems only single ecosystem function. Here, we present first study which attempts assess wide range ecological processes involved provision service water quality regulation across diverse riparian typologies. Specifically, 1) evaluating spatial variation soils properties with respect distance river soil depth contrasting habitat types; 2) gaining further insights into underlying mechanisms pollutant removal (i.e. pesticide sorption/degradation, denitrification, etc.) by soils; 3) quantify evaluate how vegetation different types contribute watercourse shading. All habitats were within large catchment included: (i) improved grassland, (ii) unimproved (semi-natural) (iii) broadleaf woodland, (iv) coniferous mountain, heath bog. Taking all data together, could be statistically separated type, providing evidence that they deliver services differing extents. Overall, our findings seem contradict general assumption area from neighbouring (non-riparian) areas possess extra functionality terms provision. Watercourse shading was highly specific maximal forests (ca. 52% shade cover) comparison other (7-17%). Our suggest functioning less such as those studied here, may broadly predicted surrounding use, research is required critically test this wider ecosystems.