1. MANAGEMENT OF RIPARIAN BUFFERS
Most of my current work centre on how to create protection zones along streams that will effectively protect both aquatic and riparian ecosystems. The standard mitigation measure to protect freshwater ecosystems during forest harvest is the retention of riparian buffers. Buffers are known to be somewhat effective in water protection and thus they are required in forestry plans. However, current guidelines for buffer designs are vague and based on simple classifications (e.g. streams size). This lead to headwaters streams (small source streams) being left without buffers in many forested landscapes. Headwater streams are however sources of water, chemical elements (carbon, nutrients), sediments and organisms, and downstream ecosystems (larger streams and rivers) are depended on these source areas. If small streams are impaired during forestry operations, the negative effects can be carried on downstream, which can hinder to achieve good ecological status of larger water bodies (WFD). Currently I have several ongoing projects which address the effectiveness of riparian buffers in forestry impacts mitigation.
DOPRO - DOwnstream PROpagation
In the DOPRO project (funded by Formas) I, my postdoc Maria Myrstener (@myrstener) and our collaborator are looking how far downstream of clearcuts we can see the effects which forest harvest has on small streams. This work is using field surveys where we Maria measure water quality and aquatic ecology (mainly metabolism and respiration) within clearcuts and below them (after streams enter forests). Maria has also performed a successful mesocoms experiment in which she studied the responses of aquatic organisms to manipulated stressors. Check out a short clip capturing constructions of the fluvial mesocosms! Of course, this work will also include buffers, specifically we will ask what kind of buffers (e.g., width, composition, structure) are the best to mitigate the propagation of impairments downstream.
MUST DEFINE
MUST DEFINE is another Formas funded project that is largely based on collaboration between researchers from SLU and Skogforsk, representatives from the Swedish Forest Agency and from the forestry industry. In 2021, we initiated this project to collectively reach understanding how to best design riparian buffers along streams. We have established a number of harvest trials, both at the thinning stage and final felling stage and with the BACI design (before-after-control-impact) we are collecting data on ecological functions in those newly created buffers. We are also creating a documentary film about this project, and about the dialog between the project participants.
Most of my current work centre on how to create protection zones along streams that will effectively protect both aquatic and riparian ecosystems. The standard mitigation measure to protect freshwater ecosystems during forest harvest is the retention of riparian buffers. Buffers are known to be somewhat effective in water protection and thus they are required in forestry plans. However, current guidelines for buffer designs are vague and based on simple classifications (e.g. streams size). This lead to headwaters streams (small source streams) being left without buffers in many forested landscapes. Headwater streams are however sources of water, chemical elements (carbon, nutrients), sediments and organisms, and downstream ecosystems (larger streams and rivers) are depended on these source areas. If small streams are impaired during forestry operations, the negative effects can be carried on downstream, which can hinder to achieve good ecological status of larger water bodies (WFD). Currently I have several ongoing projects which address the effectiveness of riparian buffers in forestry impacts mitigation.
DOPRO - DOwnstream PROpagation
In the DOPRO project (funded by Formas) I, my postdoc Maria Myrstener (@myrstener) and our collaborator are looking how far downstream of clearcuts we can see the effects which forest harvest has on small streams. This work is using field surveys where we Maria measure water quality and aquatic ecology (mainly metabolism and respiration) within clearcuts and below them (after streams enter forests). Maria has also performed a successful mesocoms experiment in which she studied the responses of aquatic organisms to manipulated stressors. Check out a short clip capturing constructions of the fluvial mesocosms! Of course, this work will also include buffers, specifically we will ask what kind of buffers (e.g., width, composition, structure) are the best to mitigate the propagation of impairments downstream.
MUST DEFINE
MUST DEFINE is another Formas funded project that is largely based on collaboration between researchers from SLU and Skogforsk, representatives from the Swedish Forest Agency and from the forestry industry. In 2021, we initiated this project to collectively reach understanding how to best design riparian buffers along streams. We have established a number of harvest trials, both at the thinning stage and final felling stage and with the BACI design (before-after-control-impact) we are collecting data on ecological functions in those newly created buffers. We are also creating a documentary film about this project, and about the dialog between the project participants.
2. RIPARIAN & AQUATIC ECOLOGY, AQUATIC-RIPARIAN LINKAGES, AND RIVER NETWORKS
The ecology of riparian systems underlie many of my finished and ongoing research projects, deserving thus a little introduction. Every stream and river has its riparian zone - the narrow fringe of forest directly adjacent to water. Riparian zones are one of the most diverse, dynamic and ecologically important portions of the landscapes. High diversity of riparian organisms, especially plants, is maintained by recurrent flooding, which provides physical disturbance, suppresses species dominance and creates open patches for colonization. Together with floods, shallow groundwater table in riparian zones provide moisture and fertile soils, which is beneficial for many plant species. Additionally, streams and rivers are very effective mediums for seed dispersal so colonization of riparian areas is rapid. Therefore, in many parts of the world riparian zones are considered hotspots for plant biodiversity.
The ecology of riparian systems underlie many of my finished and ongoing research projects, deserving thus a little introduction. Every stream and river has its riparian zone - the narrow fringe of forest directly adjacent to water. Riparian zones are one of the most diverse, dynamic and ecologically important portions of the landscapes. High diversity of riparian organisms, especially plants, is maintained by recurrent flooding, which provides physical disturbance, suppresses species dominance and creates open patches for colonization. Together with floods, shallow groundwater table in riparian zones provide moisture and fertile soils, which is beneficial for many plant species. Additionally, streams and rivers are very effective mediums for seed dispersal so colonization of riparian areas is rapid. Therefore, in many parts of the world riparian zones are considered hotspots for plant biodiversity.
Cross-ecosystem subsidies
Since riparian zones are situated at the edge of water, they perform many important functions for the adjacent streams and rivers. Riparian vegetation provides shade and leaf litter inputs to streams so the aquatic organisms have a moderated habitat and a steady supply of food. At the same time, riparian vegetation has the ability to filter material carried by under- and over- ground water flow. In such, many nutrients, pollutants and sediments can be captured by riparian plants before entering the streams, where they may become dangerous for aquatic organisms and human health. Due to this tight link between riparian and aquatic systems, changes within the riparian communities are usually followed by changes in the freshwater habitat.
I am interested in how the changes in riparian areas affect aquatic organisms and processes. The major part of this researcher is directed towards riparian logging (see SOSTPRO project further below) but I have also looked at how invasive riparian plants alter the aquatic communities and how this in turn affects important ecosystem functions. For more info check out (Kuglerová et al. 2017, Ecosphere).
Since riparian zones are situated at the edge of water, they perform many important functions for the adjacent streams and rivers. Riparian vegetation provides shade and leaf litter inputs to streams so the aquatic organisms have a moderated habitat and a steady supply of food. At the same time, riparian vegetation has the ability to filter material carried by under- and over- ground water flow. In such, many nutrients, pollutants and sediments can be captured by riparian plants before entering the streams, where they may become dangerous for aquatic organisms and human health. Due to this tight link between riparian and aquatic systems, changes within the riparian communities are usually followed by changes in the freshwater habitat.
I am interested in how the changes in riparian areas affect aquatic organisms and processes. The major part of this researcher is directed towards riparian logging (see SOSTPRO project further below) but I have also looked at how invasive riparian plants alter the aquatic communities and how this in turn affects important ecosystem functions. For more info check out (Kuglerová et al. 2017, Ecosphere).
River networks
In my research I also look at the factors which drive species diversity and ecosystem processes in riparian zones along river networks. I am interested in how connectivity of rivers interact with species traits for dispersal and changes in downstream abiotic processes, to determine riparian plant metacommunity structure. I am also interested in the gradual change of riparian abiotic properties and processes (e.g., soil chemistry, substrate characteristics, groundwater availability) along river networks. I study riparian ecosystems in forested watersheds to understand the basic ecological links between physical habitat and its communities. I also expand these questions to watersheds modified by various land use such as forestry, agriculture and urbanization to determine the human threats to riparian corridors. Some of this work has been published (Kuglerová et al. 2015 Ecology, Kuglerová et al. 2016, Ecosystems) but more is to come.
Currently I am a member of Stream Resiliency RCN Spatial Analysis and Synthesis Working Group which addresses spatial organization of freshwater patterns and processes in theoretical and real river networks. The goal of the group is to advance our understanding of how specific river network characteristics determine various physical (temperature, discharge), biochemical (DOC, nutrients) and biological (community stability) processes in streams and rivers.
In my research I also look at the factors which drive species diversity and ecosystem processes in riparian zones along river networks. I am interested in how connectivity of rivers interact with species traits for dispersal and changes in downstream abiotic processes, to determine riparian plant metacommunity structure. I am also interested in the gradual change of riparian abiotic properties and processes (e.g., soil chemistry, substrate characteristics, groundwater availability) along river networks. I study riparian ecosystems in forested watersheds to understand the basic ecological links between physical habitat and its communities. I also expand these questions to watersheds modified by various land use such as forestry, agriculture and urbanization to determine the human threats to riparian corridors. Some of this work has been published (Kuglerová et al. 2015 Ecology, Kuglerová et al. 2016, Ecosystems) but more is to come.
Currently I am a member of Stream Resiliency RCN Spatial Analysis and Synthesis Working Group which addresses spatial organization of freshwater patterns and processes in theoretical and real river networks. The goal of the group is to advance our understanding of how specific river network characteristics determine various physical (temperature, discharge), biochemical (DOC, nutrients) and biological (community stability) processes in streams and rivers.
3. MULTIPLE STRESSORS IN NORTHERN STREAM ECOSYSTEMS
Two new projects (one funded by Formas and one by VR) have recently (2022) started in my lab that focus on understanding multiple stressors and their impact on aquatic ecosystems. Ongoing climate change and land-use represent severe pressures on northern stream ecosystems. In Sweden, extended drought periods and more intense flood events are increasingly more common. At the same time, small streams situated in production forests are under pressure from forestry. Both of these anthropogenic pressures trigger many physicochemical changes, and when those changes exceed the range of background undisturbed conditions they become stressors for aquatic biota.
In the new projects, we will investigate these novel aspects in a number of experiments that will manipulate the most common forestry stressors (including changes in light, water temperature, turbidity and chemistry) and extreme hydrology (droughts and floods) and study how aquatic communities and ecological processes respond to and recover from those events. A new PhD student (Ruben Baan Hofman) has started his first field campaigns in the summer of 2023. We will be opening two more positions, one PhD and one postdoc soon!
Two new projects (one funded by Formas and one by VR) have recently (2022) started in my lab that focus on understanding multiple stressors and their impact on aquatic ecosystems. Ongoing climate change and land-use represent severe pressures on northern stream ecosystems. In Sweden, extended drought periods and more intense flood events are increasingly more common. At the same time, small streams situated in production forests are under pressure from forestry. Both of these anthropogenic pressures trigger many physicochemical changes, and when those changes exceed the range of background undisturbed conditions they become stressors for aquatic biota.
In the new projects, we will investigate these novel aspects in a number of experiments that will manipulate the most common forestry stressors (including changes in light, water temperature, turbidity and chemistry) and extreme hydrology (droughts and floods) and study how aquatic communities and ecological processes respond to and recover from those events. A new PhD student (Ruben Baan Hofman) has started his first field campaigns in the summer of 2023. We will be opening two more positions, one PhD and one postdoc soon!
4. DRIPs - Discrete Riparian Inflow Points
Riparian zones are on the receiving end of groundwater flow paths but due to variation in topography some riparian zones become groundwater discharge (or DRIP) areas - i.e., where hillslope water table reaches the soil surface and creates a seepage. In my previous research I showed that in boreal riparian forests, DRIPs are associated with more fertile soils and with more diverse plant communities, compared to dryer locations. Interestingly I found these patters across riparian zones situated along streams differing is size, geomorphology and hydrological regimes, suggesting a general trend (for more information check out Kuglerová et al. 2014, Ecology; Kuglerová et al. 2014, FEM, or Kuglerová et al. 2016, Ecosystems). A large part of my current research focuses on the effect which DRIPs have on groundwater chemistry, stream water quality and in-stream ecological communities and processes.
In a couple of projects my colleagues (e.g., Stefan Ploum, SLU; Jason Leach, Simon Fraser University, Hjalmar Laudon, SLU) and myself finished projects that were looking into a more detailed biogeochemical and thermal signals of DRIPs along a few small streams in the Krycklan Catchment in northern Sweden. The aims were to understand how does biogeochemistry of hillsplope water differs based on how it travels within the near-stream zone, what large and small scale variables can help to explain changes in hillslople water chemistry, what are the thermal influences of DRIPs on stream water temperature, and how can DRIPs affect stream water quality across scales. (More reading in Leach et al. 2017, WWR, Ploum et al. 2018).
Currently, I have one project in the DRIPs, looking at the cycling of nitrogen before, after and during rain events. An intern student from Germany is sampling during August-September 2023. Thesis coming up soon!
Riparian zones are on the receiving end of groundwater flow paths but due to variation in topography some riparian zones become groundwater discharge (or DRIP) areas - i.e., where hillslope water table reaches the soil surface and creates a seepage. In my previous research I showed that in boreal riparian forests, DRIPs are associated with more fertile soils and with more diverse plant communities, compared to dryer locations. Interestingly I found these patters across riparian zones situated along streams differing is size, geomorphology and hydrological regimes, suggesting a general trend (for more information check out Kuglerová et al. 2014, Ecology; Kuglerová et al. 2014, FEM, or Kuglerová et al. 2016, Ecosystems). A large part of my current research focuses on the effect which DRIPs have on groundwater chemistry, stream water quality and in-stream ecological communities and processes.
In a couple of projects my colleagues (e.g., Stefan Ploum, SLU; Jason Leach, Simon Fraser University, Hjalmar Laudon, SLU) and myself finished projects that were looking into a more detailed biogeochemical and thermal signals of DRIPs along a few small streams in the Krycklan Catchment in northern Sweden. The aims were to understand how does biogeochemistry of hillsplope water differs based on how it travels within the near-stream zone, what large and small scale variables can help to explain changes in hillslople water chemistry, what are the thermal influences of DRIPs on stream water temperature, and how can DRIPs affect stream water quality across scales. (More reading in Leach et al. 2017, WWR, Ploum et al. 2018).
Currently, I have one project in the DRIPs, looking at the cycling of nitrogen before, after and during rain events. An intern student from Germany is sampling during August-September 2023. Thesis coming up soon!