The urgent need to identify thresholds to use for decisions about shoreline and riparian development in freshwater systems

Authors

  • Kathryn Peiman Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1124 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
  • Trina Rytwinski Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1124 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
  • Karen E. Smokorowski Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 1219 Queen Street E., Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 2E5, Canada
  • Jennifer Lamoureux Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, 3889 Rideau Valley Drive, Manotick, ON, K4M 1A5, Canada
  • Andrea E. Kirkwood Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON, L1G 0C5, Canada
  • Stephanie Melles Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, 350 Victoria St., Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
  • Sarah Rijkenberg Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON, L1G 0C5, Canada
  • Chantal Vis Conservation Programs Branch, Protected Areas Establishment and Conservation Directorate, Parks Canada Agency, 30 Victoria Street, Gatineau, QC, J8X 0B3
  • Valerie Minelga Environmental Services, Ontario Waterways, Parks Canada Agency, 2155 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9L 6Z6, Canada
  • Alana Tyner Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON, L1G 0C5, Canada
  • Meagan Harper Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1124 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
  • Brett Tregunno Kawartha Conservation, 277 Kenrei (Park) Road, Lindsay, ON, K9V 4R1, Canada
  • Jesse C. Vermaire Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1124 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
  • Colin D. Rennie Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Ave. E., Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
  • Steven J. Cooke Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1124 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada

Keywords:

cumulative effects, ecosystem, management, regulation, tipping point

Abstract

Freshwater shorelines, including adjacent riparian habitats, are dynamic intersections between land and water that contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity in both realms. These areas are also affected by multiple stressors at local and global scales, from development to climate impacts. Despite increasing alterations to these areas, often to the detriment of connected ecosystems, and despite many regulations for residential and commercial development, there are no established thresholds across countries and governance levels for how much shoreline or riparian development is too much to maintain freshwater ecosystem function. The urgent need to identify thresholds for shoreline and riparian development in freshwater systems is complicated by a number of challenges, yet there is evidence that threshold effects occur after only a small area of a watershed is developed. Here, we summarize current information on development thresholds for shoreline and riparian areas of freshwater systems. We then discuss the inherent challenges in assigning numeric values to such a diverse set of ecosystems (spanning wetlands, lakes, streams, and more), including considerations such as temporal lags, spatial scales, and cumulative effects. We conclude with a call for research needed to overcome knowledge gaps that will enable practitioners to apply scientifically-robust thresholds to decisions regarding shoreline and riparian development. Doing so will benefit all actors by providing evidence to support shoreline policies and development guidelines that are inclusive of the aesthetic, recreational, and functional aspects of freshwater systems.

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Published

2024-07-01

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 3 (2024): Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management

Section

Research article

License

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