title: Review on environmental alterations propagating from aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems.
abstract: Terrestrial inputs into freshwater ecosystems are a classical field of environmental science. Resource fluxes (subsidy) from aquatic to terrestrial systems have been less studied, although they are of high ecological relevance particularly for the receiving ecosystem. These fluxes may, however, be impacted by anthropogenically driven alterations modifying structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems. In this context, we reviewed the peer-reviewed literature for studies addressing the subsidy of terrestrial by aquatic ecosystems with special emphasis on the role that anthropogenic alterations play in this water-land coupling. Our analysis revealed a continuously increasing interest in the coupling of aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems between 1990 and 2014 (total: 661 studies), while the research domains focusing on abiotic (502 studies) and biotic (159 studies) processes are strongly separated. Approximately 35% (abiotic) and 25% (biotic) of the studies focused on the propagation of anthropogenic alterations from the aquatic to the terrestrial system. Among these studies, hydromorphological and hydrological alterations were predominantly assessed, whereas water pollution and invasive species were less frequently investigated. Less than 5% of these studies considered indirect effects in the terrestrial system e.g. via food web responses, as a result of anthropogenic alterations in aquatic ecosystems. Nonetheless, these very few publications indicate far-reaching consequences in the receiving terrestrial ecosystem. For example, bottom-up mediated responses via soil quality can cascade over plant communities up to the level of herbivorous arthropods, while top-down mediated responses via predatory spiders can cascade down to herbivorous arthropods and even plants. Overall, the current state of knowledge calls for an integrated assessment on how these interactions within terrestrial ecosystems are affected by propagation of aquatic ecosystem alterations. To fill these gaps, we propose a scientific framework, which considers abiotic and biotic aspects based on an interdisciplinary approach.
authors: Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany. Electronic address: schulz@uni-landau.de.
authors: Ralf
authors: R
authors: Schulz
authors: Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany; Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Mirco
authors: M
authors: Bundschuh
authors: Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany; Federal Environment Agency, Berlin, Germany.
authors: René
authors: R
authors: Gergs
authors: Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany.
authors: Carsten A
authors: CA
authors: Brühl
authors: Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany.
authors: Dörte
authors: D
authors: Diehl
authors: Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany.
authors: Martin H
authors: MH
authors: Entling
authors: Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany.
authors: Lorenz
authors: L
authors: Fahse
authors: Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany.
authors: Oliver
authors: O
authors: Frör
authors: Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany.
authors: Hermann F
authors: HF
authors: Jungkunst
authors: Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Lorke
authors: Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany.
authors: Ralf B
authors: RB
authors: Schäfer
authors: Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany.
authors: Gabriele E
authors: GE
authors: Schaumann
authors: Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany.
authors: Klaus
authors: K
authors: Schwenk
mesh_terms: D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D020387:Food Chain; D060434:Herbivory
keywords: Aquatic–terrestrial subsidies; Biogeochemical processes; Environmental chemicals; Flood events; Hot moments; Hot spots