LUrespository Rice et al ESPL accepted version Oct18.pdf (983.92 kB)
Zoogeomorphological behaviours in fish and the potential impact of benthic feeding on bed material mobility in fluvial landscapes
journal contribution
posted on 2018-11-02, 14:27 authored by Stephen RiceStephen Rice, Andrew Pledger, Julia Toone, Kate L. MathersForaging by benthivorous fish can affect bed material mobility and sediment flux. This
paper collates evidence of benthic feeding effects at local scales and evaluates the possibility that large numbers of foraging fish, each of which accomplishes a small amount of geomorphic work when feeding, may have a cumulative effect across river systems. A first synthesis of research from several disciplines provides a deeper understanding of how fish disturb and condition bed materials with implications for sediment mobility. To evaluate the spatial extent of benthic feeding and therefore the potential for it to have a large-scale effect, the distribution of benthivorous fish is established across a large river network. After quality control, the dataset yields a comprehensive set of fish community information based on over 61,000 individuals and 30 species at 176 sites. The factors that are likely to mediate foraging and its geomorphological effectiveness are considered. A novel scoring system that incorporates three key controls (fish feeding behaviour, fish abundance and fish body size) is then applied across the river network to provide the first prediction of where geomorphologically effective benthic feeding is feasible and its possible relative magnitude. Our results demonstrate that the potential for zoogeomorphic impacts is widespread but variable in space as a function of community composition and the
abundance of key benthivores. A preliminary calibration against measured field impacts suggests that benthic feeding may cause measurable geomorphological disturbance at more than 90% of sites. Together, previous work and this unique
analysis suggest that benthic feeding is sufficiently effective and extensive to warrant
additional research. Investigating the role of benthivorous fish in fluvial geomorphology is important because it may yield results that challenge the assumption that biota are irrelevant sources of energy in geomorphological systems. Key research questions and a roadmap to facilitate progress are identified.
History
Department
- Geography and Environment
Published in
Earth Surface Processes andLandformsVolume
44Issue
1Pages
54-66Citation
RICE, S.P. ... et al, 2018. Zoogeomorphological behaviours in fish and the potential impact of benthic feeding on bed material mobility in fluvial landscapes. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 44(1), pp. 54-66.Publisher
© John Wiley & Sons LtdVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Publisher statement
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: RICE, S.P. ... et al, 2018. Zoogeomorphological behaviours in fish and the potential impact of benthic feeding on bed material mobility in fluvial landscapes. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 44(1), pp. 54-66, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4541. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.Acceptance date
2018-10-29Publication date
2018-12-06ISSN
0197-9337eISSN
1096-9837Publisher version
Language
- en