Reefs of Rubbish: Understanding the role of litter in streams to inform sustainable management of urban infrastructure

垃圾在大多数城市河流中普遍存在，对水质以及泥沙和水的输送都有重大影响。此外，坊间证据表明，凋落物可能为鱼类、无脊椎动物和水生植物提供重要的栖息地，特别是在形态、底物和水流方式均一的溪流中。我的研究将探讨凋落物对栖息地异质性的影响及其与沉积物、水流和生态的相互作用。这项研究将被用来为未来的城市水道管理提供信息，以确保在气候变化的背景下具有弹性，同时也最大限度地发挥这些人为环境的栖息地潜力。

Litter is ubiquitous in most urban rivers with significant implications for water quality as well as sediment and water conveyance. Additionally, anecdotal evidence suggests that litter may provide important habitat for fish, invertebrates and aquatic plants, especially in streams with otherwise uniform morphology, substrate and flow regimes.My research will examine the effects of litter on habitat heterogeneity and its interactions with sediment, flow and ecology. This research will be used to inform future management of urban waterways to ensure resilience in the context of a changing climate, whilst also maximising the habitat potential of these anthropogenic environments.