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Global prevalence of non-perennial rivers and streams

Author

Listed:
  • Mathis Loïc Messager

    (McGill University
    National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE))

  • Bernhard Lehner

    (McGill University)

  • Charlotte Cockburn

    (McGill University
    Dartmouth College)

  • Nicolas Lamouroux

    (National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE))

  • Hervé Pella

    (National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE))

  • Ton Snelder

    (LWP Ltd)

  • Klement Tockner

    (Senckenberg Society for Nature Research
    Goethe University Frankfurt)

  • Tim Trautmann

    (Goethe University Frankfurt)

  • Caitlin Watt

    (McGill University
    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

  • Thibault Datry

    (National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE))

Abstract

Flowing waters have a unique role in supporting global biodiversity, biogeochemical cycles and human societies1–5. Although the importance of permanent watercourses is well recognized, the prevalence, value and fate of non-perennial rivers and streams that periodically cease to flow tend to be overlooked, if not ignored6–8. This oversight contributes to the degradation of the main source of water and livelihood for millions of people5. Here we predict that water ceases to flow for at least one day per year along 51–60 per cent of the world’s rivers by length, demonstrating that non-perennial rivers and streams are the rule rather than the exception on Earth. Leveraging global information on the hydrology, climate, geology and surrounding land cover of the Earth’s river network, we show that non-perennial rivers occur within all climates and biomes, and on every continent. Our findings challenge the assumptions underpinning foundational river concepts across scientific disciplines9. To understand and adequately manage the world’s flowing waters, their biodiversity and functional integrity, a paradigm shift is needed towards a new conceptual model of rivers that includes flow intermittence. By mapping the distribution of non-perennial rivers and streams, we provide a stepping-stone towards addressing this grand challenge in freshwater science.

Suggested Citation

  • Mathis Loïc Messager & Bernhard Lehner & Charlotte Cockburn & Nicolas Lamouroux & Hervé Pella & Ton Snelder & Klement Tockner & Tim Trautmann & Caitlin Watt & Thibault Datry, 2021. "Global prevalence of non-perennial rivers and streams," Nature, Nature, vol. 594(7863), pages 391-397, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:594:y:2021:i:7863:d:10.1038_s41586-021-03565-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03565-5
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Wentong Hu & Wenquan Gu & Donghao Miao & Dongguo Shao, 2022. "Research on the Ecological Flow and Water Replenishment Thresholds for Diversion Rivers Based on the MC-LOR Algorithm," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 36(14), pages 5353-5369, November.
    2. Dongmei Feng & Colin J. Gleason & Peirong Lin & Xiao Yang & Ming Pan & Yuta Ishitsuka, 2021. "Recent changes to Arctic river discharge," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Margaret A. Zimmer & Amy J. Burgin & Kendra Kaiser & Jacob Hosen, 2022. "The unknown biogeochemical impacts of drying rivers and streams," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-4, December.
    4. Ioannis Niadas & Christos Makropoulos, 2024. "Beyond Counting Zeroes: Using Entropy-Based Hydrologic Signatures and Classification for Streamflow Intermittency Assessment," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 38(12), pages 4633-4656, September.
    5. Arnaud Foulquier & Thibault Datry & Roland Corti & Daniel Schiller & Klement Tockner & Rachel Stubbington & Mark O. Gessner & Frédéric Boyer & Marc Ohlmann & Wilfried Thuiller & Delphine Rioux & Chris, 2024. "Unravelling large-scale patterns and drivers of biodiversity in dry rivers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    6. Wonjin Kim & Seongjoon Kim & Jinuk Kim & Jiwan Lee & Soyoung Woo & Sehoon Kim, 2022. "Assessment of Long-term Groundwater Use Increase and Forest Growth Impact on Watershed Hydrology," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 36(15), pages 5801-5821, December.

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