Will environmental flows increase the abundance of native riparian vegetation on lowland rivers? A systematic review protocol

Abstract

Background: The extraction of water and alteration of flow regimes by humans have profound negative effects on river ecosystems. Returning water as "environmental flows" is a primary method for restoration, but evidence linking flow restoration to ecological benefits is weak. In order to draw more informative conclusions about the effects of environmental flows on ecosystems, reviews of ecological responses to altered flow regime need to focus on relationships between causes (flow components) and effects (ecological responses). We will review the literature on the responses of native riparian vegetation to flow alterations on regulated rivers. This review should improve river restoration eff..