Kerstin Bouma, Elisabeth S Bakker, Marleen Wilborts, Bjorn J M Robroek, Leon L Lamers, Perry Cornelissen, Mennobart R van Eerden, Ralph J M Temmink
The lack of extreme water level fluctuations in managed, non-peat forming wetland ecosystems can result in decreased productivity through the loss of heterogeneity of these ecosystems. Stochastic disruption, such as a water level drawdown, can effectively reverse this effect and return the wetland to a more productive state, associated with higher biodiversity through new vegetation development. Yet, aside from the effect on vegetation dynamics, little is known about longer-term effects (30 years) of a water level drawdown, hereafter referred to as legacy effects, and how this may impact future water level drawdowns...
April 16, 2024: Science of the Total Environment