Reviews and Syntheses: Variable Inundation Across Earth’s Terrestrial Ecosystems

• DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-2024-98
• Publication Date: 2024-03-08T05:20:02Z
• Authors: James Stegen; Amy Burgin; Michelle Busch; Joshua Fisher; Joshua Ladau; Jenna Abrahamson; Lauren Kinsman-Co...; Li Li; Xingyuan Chen; Thibault Datry; Nate McDowell; Corianne Tatariw; Anna Braswell; Jillian Deines; Julia Guimond; Peter Regier; Kenton Rod; Edward Bam; Etienne Fluet-Cho...; Inke Forbrich; Kristin Jaeger; Teri O'Meara; Tim Scheibe; Erin Seybold; Jon Sweetman; Jianqiu Zheng; Daniel Allen; Elizabeth Herndon; Beth Middleton; Scott Painter; Kevin Roche; Julianne Scamardo; Ross Vander Vorste; Kristin Boye; Ellen Wohl; Margaret Zimmer; Kelly Hondula; Maggi Laan; Anna Marshall; Kaizad Patel
• Keywords: Biogeochemistry; Earth system science

Abstract. The structure, function, and dynamics of Earth’s terrestrial ecosystems are profoundly influenced by the frequency duration that they inundated with water. A diverse array natural human engineered systems experience temporally variable inundation whereby fluctuate between non-inundated states. Variable spans from extreme flooding droughts to predictable sub-daily cycles. Variably (VIEs) include hillslopes, non-perennial streams, wetlands, floodplains, temporary ponds, tidal systems, storm-impacted coastal zones, systems. VIEs in terms regimes, water chemistry flow velocity, soil sediment properties, vegetation, many other properties. spatial temporal scales vast, ranging sub-meter whole landscapes sub-hourly multi-decadal. broad range system types makes it challenging predict hydrology, biogeochemistry, ecology, physical evolution VIEs. Despite all experiencing loss gain an overlying column, rarely considered together conceptual, theoretical, modeling, or measurement frameworks/approaches. Studying has potential generate mechanistic understanding is transferable across a much broader environmental conditions, relative knowledge generated studying any one VIE type. We postulate enhanced transferability will be important for predicting function under future, potentially non-analog, conditions. Here we aim catalyze cross-VIE science studies drivers impacts To this end, complement expert mini-reviews eight major overviews VIE-relevant methods challenges associated scale. conclude perspectives on how can derive via ‘continuum approach’ which studied multi-dimensional space.