Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2-2019
Department
Biological Sciences
School
Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences
Abstract
River ecosystems receive and process vast quantities of terrestrial organic carbon, the fate of which depends strongly on microbial activity. Variation in and controls of processing rates, however, are poorly characterized at the global scale. In response, we used a peer-sourced research network and a highly standardized carbon processing assay to conduct a global-scale field experiment in greater than 1000 river and riparian sites. We found that Earth’s biomes have distinct carbon processing signatures. Slow processing is evident across latitudes, whereas rapid rates are restricted to lower latitudes. Both the mean rate and variability decline with latitude, suggesting temperature constraints toward the poles and greater roles for other environmental drivers (e.g., nutrient loading) toward the equator. These results and data set the stage for unprecedented “next-generation biomonitoring” by establishing baselines to help quantify environmental impacts to the functioning of ecosystems at a global scale.
Publication Title
Science Advances
Volume
5
Issue
1
Recommended Citation
Tiegs, S. D.,
Costello, D. M.,
Isken, M. W.,
Woodward, G.,
McIntyre, P. B.,
Gessner, M. O.,
Chauvet, E.,
Griffiths, N. A.,
Flecker, A. S.,
Acuña, V.,
Albariño, R.,
Allen, D. C.,
Alonso, C.,
Andino, P.,
Arango, C.,
Aroviita, J.,
Barbosa, M. V.,
Barmuta, L. A.,
Bruesewitz, D. A.,
Burdon, F. J.,
Callisto, M.,
Canhoto, C.,
Capps, K. A.,
Castillo, M. M.,
Clapcott, J.,
Colas, F.,
Checo Colón-Gaud, C.,
Cornut, J.,
Crespo-Pérez, V.,
Cross, W. F.,
Culp, J. M.,
Danger, M.,
Dangles, O.,
de Eyto, E.,
Derry, A. M.,
Villanueva, V. D.,
Douglas, M. M.,
Elosegi, A.,
Encalada, A. C.,
Entrekin, S.,
Espinosa, R.,
Ethaiya, D.,
Ferreira, V.,
Ferriol, C.,
Flanagan, K. M.,
Fleituch, T.,
Shah, J. J.,
Frainer, A.,
Friberg, N.,
Frost, P. C.,
Garcia, E. A.,
Lago, L. G.,
Soto, P. G.,
Ghate, S.,
Giling, D. P.,
Gilmer, A.,
Gonçalves, J. F.,
Gonzales, R. K.,
Graça, M. A.,
Grace, M.,
Grossart, H.,
Guérold, F.,
Gulis, V.,
Hepp, L. U.,
Higgins, S.,
Hishi, T.,
Huddart, J.,
Hudson, J.,
Imberger, S.,
Iñiguez-Armijos, C.,
Iwata, T.,
Janetski, D. J.,
Jennings, E.,
Kirkwood, A. E.,
Koning, A. A.,
Kosten, S.,
Kuehn, K. A.,
Laudon, H.,
Leavitt, P. R.,
Lemes da Silva, A. L.,
Leroux, S. G.,
LeRoy, C. J.,
Lisi, P. J.,
MacKenzie, R.,
Marcarelli, A. M.,
Masese, F. O.,
McKie, B. G.,
Medeiros, A. O.,
Meissner, K.,
Miliša, M.,
Mishra, S.,
Miyake, Y.,
Moerke, A.,
Mombrikotb, S.,
Mooney, R.,
Moulton, T.,
Muotka, T.,
Negishi, J. N.,
Neres-Lima, V.,
Nieminen, M. L.,
Nimptsch, J.,
Ondruch, J.,
Paavola, R.,
Pardo, I.,
Patrick, C. J.,
Peeters, E. T.,
Pozo, J.,
Pringle, C.,
Prussian, A.,
Quenta, E.,
Quesada, A.,
Reid, B.,
Richardson, J. S.,
Rigosi, A.,
Rincón, J.,
Rîșnoveanu, G.,
Robinson, C. T.,
Rodríguez-Gallego, L.,
Royer, T. V.,
Rusak, J. A.,
Santamans, A. C.,
Selmeczy, G. B.,
Simiyu, G.,
Skuja, A.,
Smykla, J.,
Sridhar, K. R.,
Sponseller, R.,
Stoler, A.,
Swan, C. M.,
Szlag, D.,
Teixera-de Mello, F.,
Tonkin, J. D.,
Uusheimo, S.,
Veach, A. M.,
Vilbaste, S.,
Vought, L. B.,
Wang, C.,
Webster, J. R.,
Wilson, P. B.,
Woelfl, S.,
Xenopolous, M. A.,
Yates, A. G.,
Yoshimura, C.,
Yule, C. M.,
Zhang, Y. X.,
Zwart, J. A.
(2019). Global Patterns and Drivers of Ecosystem Functioning in Rivers and Riparian Zones. Science Advances, 5(1).
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/16881