Productivity and Connectivity in Tropical Riverscapes of Northern Australia: Ecological Insights for Management

摘要: Flow regimes are fundamental to sustaining ecological characteristics of rivers worldwide, including their associated floodplains. Recent advances in understanding tropical river–floodplain ecosystems suggest that a small set basic concepts underpins biophysical characteristics, especially the high levels productivity, biodiversity and natural resilience. The relate (1) river-specific flow patterns, (2) processes ‘fuelled’ by complex locally generated carbon nutrients seasonally mixed with from floodplains catchments, (3) seasonal movements biota facilitated flood regimes, (4) food webs overall productivity sustained hydrological connectivity, (5) fires wet/dry riparian zones being major consumers key factor subsequent redistribution nutrients, (6) river–floodplains having inherent resilience variability but only limited artificial modifications. Understanding these is particularly timely anticipating effects impending development may affect at global scale. Australia, region encompassing some last relatively undisturbed riverine landscapes world, provides valuable case study for diversity systems. However, significant knowledge gaps remain. Despite substantial recent understanding, present highly insufficient predict many responses either human-generated or climate-related changes. research challenges identified herein (for example, those related web structure, nutrient transfers, connectivity resilience), if accomplished next decade, will offer insights toward assessing managing changes human alterations catchments.