Author(s): Robert E. Thomas; Matthew F. Johnson; Lynne E. Frostick; Daniel R. Parsons; Tjeerd J. Bouma; Jasper T. Dijkstra; Olivier Eiff; Sylvie Gobert; Pierre-Yves Henry; Paul Kemp; Stuart J. Mclelland; Frederic Y. Moulin; Dag Myrhaug; Alexandra Neyts; Maike Paul;

Linked Author(s): Robert Thomas, Lynne Frostick, Daniel Parsons, Jasper Dijkstra, Olivier Eiff, Pierre-yves Henry, Paul Kemp, Stuart McLelland, Frederic Moulin, Maike Paul

Keywords: Biofilms; biogeomorphology; eco-hydraulics; experimental facilities; flow–biota interactions; macrozoobenthos; vegetated flows

Abstract:

Physical modelling is a key tool for generating understanding of the complex interactions between aquatic organisms and hydraulics, which is important for management of aquatic environments under environmental change and our ability to exploit ecosystem services. Many aspects of this field remain poorly understood and the use of physical models within eco-hydraulics requires advancement in methodological application and substantive understanding. This paper presents a review of the emergent themes from a workshop tasked with identifying the future infrastructure requirements of the next generation of eco-hydraulics researchers. The identified themes are: abiotic factors, adaptation, complexity and feedback, variation, and scale and scaling. The paper examines these themes and identifies how progress on each of them is key to existing and future efforts to progress our knowledge of eco-hydraulic interactions. Examples are drawn from studies on biofilms, plants, and sessile and mobile fauna in shallow water fluvial and marine environments. Examples of research gaps and directions for educational, infrastructural and technological advance are also presented.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2013.876453

Year: 2014