Ecosystem services provided by dry river socio-ecological systems and their drivers of change

• Published in: Hydrobiologia 2023-07, Vol.850 (12-13), p.2585-2607
• Main Authors: Vidal-Abarca Gutiérrez, María Rosario, Nicolás-Ruiz, Néstor, Sánchez-Montoya, María del Mar, Suárez Alonso, María Luisa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic Ecosystem Services; Biodiversity; Biological diversity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Ecology; Ecosystem assessment; Ecosystem services; Ecosystems; education; Environmental aspects; Environmental changes; environmental knowledge; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Globalization; humans; Life Sciences; Literature reviews; Perennial streams; Rivers; Semi arid areas; Semiarid lands; social environment; Social interactions; social welfare; Social-ecological systems; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Zoology
• ISSN: 0018-8158; 1573-5117
• DOI: 10.1007/s10750-022-04915-8

Dry rivers are a type of non-perennial river characterized by extreme dry conditions and dominance of terrestrial habitats. They are present in all continents, being especially abundant in arid and semiarid regions. Recent studies have shown their capacity to provide ecosystem services, although they are often undervalued and altered. This study is a literature review on the ecosystem services provided by dry rivers to human well-being. We apply the conceptual framework for the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. First, we describe and exemplify the services provided by the natural system and its biodiversity. Second, we present the contributions of the local social system to service provision through co-production processes. Finally, the main drivers of ecosystem change that alter service provision are listed and discussed. We found that dry rivers and their biodiversity contribute to local human well-being. The ecological knowledge and culture of local human communities acquired over generations contribute to service provision maintaining the socio-ecological system’s sustainability and its resilience to disturbances. Among drivers of change, those of a social-cultural (e.g., sedentarization) and economic (e.g., globalization) nature affect dry rivers’ capacity to provide ecosystem services the most. Reconciling people and dry rivers requires a great deal of research and education.