Smaller streams have more vulnerable ecosystems

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-10-08 09:34

Australia; New Zealand; International; ACT

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Researchers studied the ecosystems of 10 streams in the Canterbury region to see if the size of the stream the resided in made any difference after disturbances like major flooding. The bed floors were artificially disturbed with a water blaster and the researchers studied the response of the local ecosystems for two months after. Although the communities living in smaller streams recovered faster, they were altered much more and, therefore, more vulnerable. The team says their results shine a light on how changes to the size of stream habitats may end up making their ecosystems more vulnerable.