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Abstract
Physical modelling is a key tool for generating understanding of the complex interactions between aquatic organisms and hydraulics, which is important for management of aquatic environments under environmental change and our ability to exploit ecosystem services. Many aspects of this field remain poorly understood and the use of physical models within eco-hydraulics requires advancement in methodological application and substantive understanding. This paper presents a review of the emergent themes from a workshop tasked with identifying the future infrastructure requirements of the next generation of eco-hydraulics researchers. The identified themes are: abiotic factors, adaptation, complexity and feedback, variation, and scale and scaling. The paper examines these themes and identifies how progress on each of them is key to existing and future efforts to progress our knowledge of eco-hydraulic interactions. Examples are drawn from studies on biofilms, plants, and sessile and mobile fauna in shallow water fluvial and marine environments. Examples of research gaps and directions for educational, infrastructural and technological advance are also presented.
Acknowledgements
The work described in this publication was supported by the European Community's 7th Framework Programme through a grant to the budget of the Integrated Infrastructure Initiative HYDRALAB IV, Contract No. 261520. This document reflects only the authors’ views and not those of the European Community. This work may rely on data from sources external to the HYDRALAB Project Consortium. Members of the Consortium do not accept liability for loss or damage suffered by any third party as a result of errors or inaccuracies in such data. The information in this document is provided “as is” and no guarantee or warranty is given that the information is fit for any particular purpose. The user thereof uses the information at its sole risk and neither the European Community nor any member of the HYDRALAB Consortium is liable for any use that may be made of the information. Sadly, Professor Alf Tørum died on 16th December, 2013. His co-authors would like to pass their condolences on to his friends and family. The lead author wishes to thank Drs. Walter Bertoldi, Chris Bromley, Andrew Folkard, Marwan Hassan, Sally Little, Anne Lightbody, Ponnambalam Rameshwaran, Jonas Schoelynck, Desirée Tullos, Catherine Wilson, three anonymous reviewers, the associate editor and editor, who all read earlier drafts of this manuscript and contributed useful comments and discussions.