Transformation of Ecosystems of Floodplain Water Bodies under Current Natural and Anthropogenic Changes and Possible Strategies for their Conservation

Abstract

This review summarizes information on the main negative factors affecting the state of floodplain water bodies ecosystems, describes the most common consequences for abiotic and biotic processes, and suggests possible ways to conserve these ecosystems. Evidence of the negative impact of hydraulic construction, embanking of floodplains, channelizing of rivers, agriculture, and other anthropogenic impacts is presented. A special role is played by climate change, which leads to a decrease in flood inundation, drying and overgrowing of water bodies, and their eutrophication. The authors suggest criteria to choose correct indicators that can testify not only to special stages of water body succession (e.g., vegetation) or its trophic status (zooplankton), but also to the long-term effects of anthropogenic and climatic changes. As a recommendation, it is proposed not to consider water bodies separately, but to assess the whole waterscapes and use the change in β-diversity as an indicator. Further conservation strategies can be based on the approaches of the Red List of Ecosystems of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), which will help to draw attention to the problem. The key role for the conservation of floodplain water bodies should be played by territorial protection measures, up to the development of a separate category for small water bodies.