Intermittency
|
Considered the master variable for intermittent rivers
(Datry et al., 2014a)
Longer cease to flow periods leads to deteriorating water quality in
refuge habitat (Chapin et al., 2014,
Schmarr et al., 2014)
Length of flow period dictates habitat availability and expected
lifecycle completion (Bonada et al.,
2007)
|
Low flows over the low flow season (Dec – April)
|
Flushing of permanent pools
Maintenance of habitat (Vander Vorste et
al., 2020)
Watering of in channel riparian vegetation over low flow season
(Nicol, 2013)
Opportunities for dispersal (Baumgartner
et al., 2014)
|
Break of season
|
Cues for migration and breeding (Lucas
and Baras, 2008, Mackay, 1992,
Pires et al., 2014)
Increased stress on refuge habitats
(Vander Vorste et al., 2020)
Likelihood of lifecycle completion
(Mackay, 1992)
|
Spring flows
|
Promotes resilience leading into the low flow/cease to flow period
(eWater, 2022)
Promotes fish recruitment success (Green
et al., 2014)
Migration of obligate aquatic fauna
(Lucas and Baras, 2008)
Discourages exotic fish species
(Seebacher and Kazerouni‐Ghanizadeh,
2021)
|
Medium flows
|
Promotes large-scale fish migration
(Lucas and Baras, 2008)
Discourages exotic fish species (Moore
et al., 2008)
Expand riffle habitat for macroinvertebrate species
(Bonada et al., 2007)
Inundate vegetation on benches and lower banks
(Maxwell et al., 2015)
Control terrestrial vegetation in channel
(Maxwell et al., 2015)
|
High flows
|
Inundate vegetation higher on banks
(Maxwell et al., 2015)
Habitat maintenance including silt removal and algae scouring
(Fuller et al., 2010,
Loire et al., 2019)
Entrain organic material from banks
(Caraco and Cole, 2004)
Plant propagule transport (Stromberg et
al., 2007)
Management of reed beds (Stromberg et
al., 2007)
|