Influence of the hydrological regime on the functioning of tropical streams: implications for forest restoration

• Grant number: 25/03455-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Hideo Taniwaki
• Grantee: Matheus Eijii Kinchoku Ogasawara
• Host Institution: Centro de Engenharia, Modelagem e Ciências Sociais Aplicadas (CECS). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/03478-0 - Ecohydrological functions of restored forest at Atlantic Forest biome (HIDROFLORES), AP.TEM

Abstract

Forest restoration is a widely used practice to protect aquatic ecosystems and mitigate the impacts of anthropogenic alterations. However, the effects of forest restoration on tropical aquatic ecosystems remain poorly documented, and there is a notable lack of data on how tropical streams respond to these interventions. The objective of this proposal is to assess the influence of the hydrological regime on the functioning of tropical streams. To achieve this, an experiment will be conducted in the 'ExStream Brazil' mesocosm system at the Itatinga Forest Science Experimental Station (EECFI-ESALQ/USP), which allows replicating eco-hydrological processes in different scenarios of restored native forests and evaluating their effects on primary productivity. Furthermore, continuous monitoring data collected from catchments will facilitate a comprehensive understanding of seasonal hydrological dynamics across dry and rainy seasons, while enabling the detection of functional changes in stream ecosystems through stream metabolism. The outcomes of this proposal will be essential for guiding the development of public policies related to the restoration, management, and conservation of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, thereby contributing to the long-term preservation of tropical stream environments.