Conceptual diagram showing four possible trajectories for the change in streamflow during dry periods (Q_low) after reforestation of a previously degraded grassland. © University of Zurich, Information Technology, MELS/SIVIC, Tara von Grebel.

To maximize growth opportunities, a juvenile salmonid (lower left) exploiting a foodscape confronts a variety of factors controlling food availability: ambient prey abundance in a stream (higher in a riffle, lower in a pool) of different nutritional quality (eggs > insects), accessibility both physically (a side channel is connected, an off-channel is disconnected at low flows) and functionally as mediated by foraging costs (e.g., reduced by competitors and predators), as well as physiological constraints (e.g., metabolic costs vary with temperature). Using the foodscape (Rossi et al., bioRxiv 2024) as a conceptual foundation for understanding food availability for stream fishes, we consider (1) what causes uncertainty in food availability, (2) its consequences, and (3) how to quantify food availability.

Water security recognizes the profound interconnections between physical and social systems - but to what extent do perspectives from the behavioral and psychological sciences feature in water security research? Literature mapping highlights five clusters of research and their review shows both gaps and potential to deepen understanding of human-water interactions and enhance measures to promote water security.

Genetic material collected in environments such as water is known as environmental DNA (eDNA) and is revolutionizing biodiversity assessment. However, eDNA also has untapped potential to solve hydrological questions and can constitute a bridge between hydrology and biology.