Abstract
This article summarizes the views of aquatic scientists who gathered to assess the ability of stream ecosystem theory to predict recovery from disturbance. Two views of disturbance were evident: a discrete removal of organisms vs an unusual deviation from normal. These were perceived as applying to different scales and/or objectives. Long-term information is required from both points of view to define recovery. Recovery also may be defined in different ways, but it is clear that recovery has both spatial and temporal components, and includes both physical and biological processes. Consensus was very strong that a major role (and challenge) for theory lies in the understanding of spatial aspects, temporal scales, coupling of physics and biology, and the interaction of these features in recovery processes. Some progress is evident in the articles of this volume, but among the topics identified as critical for further theoretical contributions were: homogeneous vs heterogeneous distribution of disturbance, local extent of disturbance relative to a regional context, critical vs noncritical patches (size and location) of disturbance at different spatial scales and temporal frequencies, delineation of reversible and nonreversible processes, and physical and biological constraints on the time frame for recovery. Such concepts need attention across different types of lotic ecosystems. Thus, there was strong consensus that a national monitoring system of representative lotic ecosystems within ecological regions be established. The purpose of this monitoring system would be to acquire long-term data on natural variability, to establish viable indicators of spatial and temporal aspects of recovery, and to develop and test emerging theoretical developments.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Amoros, C., J. C. Rostan, G. Patou, and J. P. Bravard. 1987. The reversible process concept applied to the environmental management of large river systems.Environmental Management 11:607–617.
Cairns, J., Jr. 1986. Restoration, reclamation, and regeneration of degraded or destroyed ecosystems. Pages 465–484in M. E. Soule (ed.), Conservation biology, Sinauer, Sunderland, Massachusetts.
Cairns, J., Jr. 1987. Disturbed ecosystems as opportunities for research in restoration ecology. Pages 307–320in W. R. Jordan, M. E. Gilpin, and J. D. Aber (eds.), Restoration ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Cairns, J., Jr. 1990. Lack of theoretical basis for predicting rate and pathways of recovery.Environmental Management 14:517–526.
Connell, J. H., and W. P. Sousa. 1983. On the evidence needed to judge ecological stability or persistence.American Naturalist 121:784–824.
Fisher, S. G. 1990. Recovery processes in lotic ecosystems: limits of successional theory.Environmental Management 14:725–736.
Gore, J. A. 1982. Benthic invertebrate colonization: source distance effects on community composition.Hydrobiologia 94:183–194.
Gore, J. A., and J. M. Nestler. 1988. Instream flow studies in perspective.Regulated Rivers: Research and Management 2:93–101.
Gore, J. A., and A. M. Milner. 1990. Island biogeographical theory: can it be used to predict lotic recovery rates?Environmental Management 14:737–754.
Grossman, G. D., J. F. Dowd, and M. Crawford. 1990. Assemblage stability in stream fishes: a review.Environmental Management 14:661–672.
Hall, C. A. S. 1988. An assessment of several of the historically most influential models used in ecology and of the data provided in their support.Ecological Modelling 43:5–31.
Harwell, M. A., W. P. Cropper, and H. L. Ragsdale. 1978. Nutrient cycling and stability: a reevaluation.Ecology 58:660–666.
Hughes, R. M., and D. P. Larsen. 1988. Ecoregions: an approach to surface water protection.Journal of the Water Pollution Control Federation 60:486–493.
Hughes, R. M., D. P. Larsen, T. R. Whittier, and C. M. Rohm. 1990. A regional framework for establishing recovery criteria.Environmental Management 14:673–684.
Kelly, J. R., and M. A. Harwell. 1990. Indicators of ecosystem recovery.Environmental Management 14:527–546.
Lake, P. S. 1985. Water quality management and the ecological nature of rivers.Australian Society of Limnology Bulletin 19:41–50.
Loehle, C. 1987. Hypothesis testing in ecology: psychological aspects and the importance of theory maturation.Quarterly Review of Biology 62:397–409.
Minshall, G. W. 1988. Stream ecosystem theory: a global perspective.Journal of the North American Benthological Society 7:263–288.
Niemi, G. W., P. De Vore, N. Detenbeck, D. Taylor, J. D. Yount, A. Lima, J. Pastor, and R. J. Naiman. 1990. An overview of case studies on recovery of aquatic systems from disturbance.Environmental Management 14:571–588.
Poff, N. L., and J. V. Ward. 1990. The physical habitat template of lotic ecosystems: recovery in the context of historical patterns of spatiotemporal heterogeneity.Environmental Management 14:629–646.
Resh, V. H., A. V. Brown, A. P. Covich, M. E. Gurtz, H. W. Li, G. W. Minshall, S. R. Reice, A. L. Sheldon, J. B. Wallace, and R. Wissmar. 1988. The role of disturbance in stream ecology.Journal of the North American Benthological Society 7:433–455.
Schlosser, I. J. 1990. Environmental variation, life history attributes, and community patterns in stream fishes: implications for environmental management and resource assessment.Environmental Management 14:621–628.
Sedell, J. R., R. Hauer, C. P. Hawkins, and J. A. Stanford. 1990. The role of refugia in recovery from disturbance. Modern fragmented and disconnected river systems.Environmental Management 14:711–724.
Sheldon, A. L. 1984. Colonization dynamics of aquatic insects. Pages 401–429in V. H. Resh and D. M. Rosenberg (eds.), The ecology of aquatic insects. Praeger, New York.
Sheldon, A. L. 1985. Short-term colonization: interactions of spatial pattern and temporal sequence. North American Benthological Society, 33rd Annual Meeting, Corvallis, Oregon.
Sousa, W. P. 1984. The role of disturbance in natural communities.Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 15:353–391.
Sparks, R. E., R. V. Anderson, P. B. Bayley, S. L. Kohler, and L. L. Osborne. 1990. Disturbance and recovery of large floodplain rivers.Environmental Management 14:699–710.
Stanford, J. A., and A. P. Covich. 1988. Community structure and function in temperate and tropical streams. Preface.Journal of the North American Benthological Society 7:261–262.
Statzner, B., and B. Higler. 1985. Questions and comments on the river continuum concept.Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 42:1038–1044.
Statzner, B., and B. Higler. 1986. Stream hydraulics as a major determinant of benthic invertebrate zonation patterns.Freshwater Biology 16:127–139.
Statzner, B., J. A. Gore, and V. H. Resh. 1988. Hydraulic stream ecology: observed patterns and potential applications.Journal of the North American Benthological Society 7:307–360.
Steinman, A. D., and C. D. McIntire. 1990. Recovery of lotic periphyton communities after disturbance.Environmental Management 14:589–604.
Vannote, R. W., G. W. Minshall, K. W. Cummins, J. R. Sedell, and C. E. Cushing. 1980. The river continuum concept.Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 37:130–137.
Wallace, J. B. 1985. Long-term studies of aquatic ecosystems. North American Benthological Society, 33rd Annual Meeting, Corvallis, Oregon.
Wallace, J. B. 1990. The influence of disturbance on lotic macroinvertebrates.Environmental Management 14:605–620.
Webster, J. R., J. B. Waide, and B. C. Patten. 1975. Nutrient cycling and the stability of ecosystems. Pages 1–27.In F. G. Howell, J. B. Gentry, and M. H. Smith (eds.), Mineral cycling in southeastern ecosystems. ERDA CONF-740513, National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Springfield, Virginia.
Yount, J. D., and G. J. Niemi. 1990. Recovery of lotic communities and ecosystems from disturbance: a narrative review of case studies.Environmental Management 14:547–570.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gore, J.A., Kelly, J.R. & Yount, J.D. Application of ecological theory to determining recovery potential of disturbed lotic ecosystems: Research needs and priorities. Environmental Management 14, 755–762 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02394723
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02394723