- Topic:Freshwater ecosystems
Evolutionary origins for ecological patterns in space
Does evolution influence ecological patterns in space? The authors synthesized 500 studies to develop a predictive framework for whether and when evolution amplifies, dampens, or creates ecological patterns. They show that local adaptation can alter spatial variation in population, community and ecosystem features. Dampening of ecological differences is the most prominent effect of evolution.
Homogenization of the terrestrial water cycle
Plant uniformity in highly managed agricultural landscapes has led to increases in flood and drought frequencies and magnitudes, as well as a poorer water quality. The study explores the risk of the homogenization of the terrestrial water cycle.
The fate of polar trace organic compounds in the hyporheic zone
The authors measured microbial metabolism based on reactive fluorescent tracers and its influence on contaminant transformation in a natural streambed. The fluorescent tracers informs on exposure times in specific milieus, and the study validates lab results on the microbially mediated transformation of gabapentin into its main transformation product under natural conditions.