Abstract Understanding global ecological patterns and processes, from biogeochemical to biogeographical, requires broad‐scale macrosystems context for comparing contrasting ecosystems. Climate gradients (precipitation temperature) other continental‐scale shape freshwater environments due their influences on terrestrial direct indirect effects the abiotic biotic characteristics of lakes, streams, wetlands. We combined literature review, analyses open access data, logical argument assess...

Abstract Drought has impacted the Colorado River basin for past 20 years and is predicted to continue. In response, decisions about how much water should be stored in large reservoirs can consumptively used will necessary. These have potential limit riverine ecosystem management options through effect water‐supply on reservoir elevations. We projected hydrology river temperatures compare outcome of combinations storage scenarios consumptive use limits metrics associated with Grand Canyon....

Abstract In streams, hydrology is a predominant driver of ecological structure and function. Providing adequate flows to support aquatic life, or environmental flows, therefore top management priority in stream systems. Flow regime classification widely accepted approach for establishing flow guidelines. However, it surprisingly difficult quantify relationships between ecology (flow–ecology relationships) while describing how these vary across classified regimes. Developing such complicated...

Abstract Dams can be operated to mimic components of the natural flow regime minimise impacts on downstream ecosystems. However, infrastructure, societal needs, water management, and catchment runoff constrain which when attributes mimicked. We compared fish assemblage responses, including native non‐native species, over 2 decades managed environmental flows those in a river retaining relatively unaltered regime. Both these arid‐land rivers are within overallocated Colorado River basin have...

Abstract River ecosystems are threatened by interactions among river regulation, non-native species, and climate change. Water use has exceeded supply for two decades in the USA’s Colorado basin draining its largest storage reservoirs (Lake Powell Lake Mead). In 2022, after more than of declining reservoir levels warming downstream water temperatures, began releasing from lower epilimnion into Grand Canyon segment River. While managers were concerned about risk non-native, predatory...

Human induced climate and land-use change are severely impacting global biodiversity, but how community composition richness of multiple taxonomic groups in response to local drivers whether these responses synchronous remains unclear. We used long-term community-level data from an experimentally manipulated grassland assess the relative influence land use as structure four groups: birds, mammals, grasshoppers, plants. also quantified synchrony among across gradients compared climatic...

Abstract Intermittent streams exhibit regular patterns of drying and are widespread, but the among within geographic proximity not fully understood. We compared annual flow 10 intermittent a single drainage basin assessed how traditional hydrologic metrics described variation between streams. installed stream intermittency sensors evaluated stage height using low‐cost methods landscape factors as potential drivers patterns. varied based on both high‐ low‐flow metrics, driven by variety...

Abstract Animals contribute significantly to nutrient cycling through excretion, but most studies consider their effects under relatively benign abiotic conditions. Disturbances such as drought may alter animals’ contributions shifts in species composition and biomass. Headwater streams are particularly vulnerable extreme climate events thus might show rapid changes stream biota ecosystem effects. We tested how biomass subsequent (nutrient cycling) of an intermittent prairie community...

Most stream fish communities have changed over time in response to common anthropogenic disturbances. Impoundments are a widespread stressor that can negatively impact fishes as they alter flow regimes, block movements, and act fountainheads for the introduction spread of invasive species. Recent studies, however, reported occurrence reproduction native impoundments, suggesting might benefit some fishes. Our primary objective was evaluate whether impoundment construction has led changes...

Earth's atmosphere has warmed by ~1°C over the past century and continues to warm at an increasing rate. Effects of atmospheric warming are already visible in most major ecosystems evident across all levels biological organization. Linking functional responses individuals temperature is critical for predicting populations communities global climate change. The southern redbelly dace Chrosomus erythrogaster central stoneroller Campostoma anomalum two minnows (Cyprinidae) that commonly occur...

Abstract Experimental and fine‐scale studies indicate predators can have strong effects on stream fishes. It is unclear, however, how interact with landscape factors to influence fish communities at scales relevant management conservation. Because prey respond environmental variability, measuring community responses requires resolving the of abiotic both prey. We collected data in summers 2017 2018 paired structural equation modelling multivariate methods identify that influenced...

Intermittent streams exhibit regular patterns of drying and are widespread, but the between geographically close not fully understood. We compared annual flow among ten intermittent within a single drainage basin determined how traditional hydrologic metrics described variation streams. installed stream intermittency sensors evaluated stage height using low-cost methods. landscape factors as potential drivers patterns. varied based on both high low metrics, driven by variety level factors,...

Abstract Intermittent streams periodically cease to flow but still support diverse aquatic assemblages. Community dynamics within intermittent are likely driven by a wide range of factors, including drying regime, refuge availability, and connectivity with perennial systems. We compared fish community over the course rewetting period quantify differences in composition recovery trajectories across gradient drying. predicted that shifts structure as dry rewet would be similar regimes more...

Avoiding thermal stress by using hibernacula is fundamental to survival of snakes in temperate environments. Snakes may overwinter alone or aggregate communal avoid temperature extremes. Limited information available regarding the overwintering ecology rattlesnakes, and basic demographic necessary for understanding population dynamics, habitat requirements, management rattlesnakes. Even less known about demographics species populations utilizing artificial hibernacula, which become...