Simulated effects of floodplain restoration on plant community types

Clilverd, Hannah M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6771-3302; Thompson, Julian R.; Sayer, Carl D.; Heppell, Catherine M.; Axmacher, Jan C.; Stratford, Charlie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3867-5807; Burningham, Helene. 2022 Simulated effects of floodplain restoration on plant community types. Applied Vegetation Science, 25 (4), e12697. 14, pp. https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.12697

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.

Preview

Text
N535474JA.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.
Download (3MB) | Preview

Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.12697

Abstract/Summary

Aims: Channelization and artificial embankments have altered the natural flood regime of many rivers, impacting the hydrological characteristics of floodplain ecosystems and their biological communities. This study was undertaken on a floodplain meadow to assess spatial patterns of plant communities in relation to soil physical and chemical conditions, and the impacts of floodplain restoration that involved embankment-removal. Location: River Glaven, Hunworth, Norfolk, UK. Methods: Fine-scale plant and soil chemistry sampling was conducted prior to embankment removal, and hydrological and climatological conditions were monitored prior to and after embankment removal. Hydrological/hydraulic modelling simulated groundwater levels for a 10-year period to assess changes in soil aeration stresses and plant community composition following embankment-removal. Results: Hydrology was identified as the primary driver of plant community composition. Soil fertility was also important. Unique continuous measurements of vadose dissolved oxygen concentrations using oxygen optodes indicated strong coupling between water table depth and root zone dissolved oxygen concentrations. Reinstatement of overbank flows did not substantially affect aeration stress across most of the meadow because of pre-existing wet conditions. However, along the riverfloodplain ecotone, aeration stress increased substantially from conditions normally associated with dry grassland to those characteristic of fen communities (p<0.05). Conclusions: This restored water table regime may be suitable for more diverse plant assemblages. Benefits of flooding for increased species richness and transport of propagules may, however, be over-ridden without accompanying water level management during the growing season, or hay removal to balance additional supply of nutrients from river floodwater and sediment. Our results show that hydrological/hydraulic modelling combined with quantitative measures of plant water-requirements can provide practical and adaptive management tools to estimate the response of floodplain communities to changing water regimes.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.12697
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Atmospheric Chemistry and Effects (Science Area 2017-) Business Development and Engagement
ISSN:	1402-2001
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	cumulative aeration stress index, ecohydrology, floodplain restoration, MIKE SHE, wet grassland
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Hydrology Botany
Date made live:	19 Sep 2023 15:42 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/535474

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1111/avsc.12697

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Atmospheric Chemistry and Effects (Science Area 2017-)
Business Development and Engagement

ISSN:

1402-2001

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

cumulative aeration stress index, ecohydrology, floodplain restoration, MIKE SHE, wet grassland