A guide to good practices for the management and restoration of mediterranean ephemeral streams : Resilence and adaptation to climate change

Abstract

Ephemeral channels (ramblas or dry channels - except in sudden occasional flash foods) are prevalent in the Mediterranean, where they make up most of the fluvial network. They are fundamental natural systems in the hydrological cycle for transporting water, sediment and nutrients, and, therefore, are excellent indicators of climate and global change. Their promotion, the recognition of their role, their hydromorphological values and ecosystemic services are all absolutely essential for understanding their level of resilience and contribution to adapting to climate change. And it is urgent for us to work on their management, recovery and conservation, because overall they are subjected to strong pressures and are being greatly damaged. This guide warns the reader about the multiple impacts these channels are subjected to, it informs us about their important Mediterranean heritage, which is so underestimated and ignored; and it proposes 33 good practices for their management and recovery. It is a book that can offer ideas to the people responsible for managing them, but is aimed at the whole of society, because the challenge is very complex: we have to recover ephemeral channels by improving understanding and raising awareness. And we must act quickly, because it is already late and until now practically nothing has been done to respect, protect and recover these vital fluvial systems on our land. This is our challenge.