Protected areas are meant to preserve endangered species and stabilize ecosystems. But for many European rivers, this protection falls short. The research team examined the condition of rivers at over 1,700 locations in ten European countries across a period of almost four decades. The result: Existing protected areas have only brought about measurable improvements in a limited subset of rivers.

In stream mesocosm experiments the authors tested how reduced flow and a sequence of controlled flushing events, with or without macroinvertebrates, affect periphyton community composition, algal biovolume, and ecosystem metabolism. Flow variability and macroinvertebrates control periphyton structure, metabolism, and carbon cycling, with macroinvertebrates stabilising responses to disturbance.

This article highlights the importance of validating satellite-derived water quality products. The authors provide guidance for the scientific community on what to consider when implementing field campaigns to collect data for remote sensing validation needs.