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

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

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.