Lines in the landscape

Abstract Ditches (linear constructions which store and/or move water where humans prefer it to go), via irrigation, drainage, and power, have helped drive the development of human societies. Now, ditches and other linear channels, typically carrying water, are numerous and found on every continent. Their form varies widely with use, which includes land drainage, irrigation, transportation, and boundary marking. Ditches support and shape biogeochemical cycles, biotic communities, and human societies, at multiple spatiotemporal scales. However, ditches are frequently overlooked by researchers in many disciplines. Here, we review the largely unrecognized role that ditches play in environmental processes and human societies. The effects of ditches can be both positive (e.g., biodiversity refuges, water for food production, nutrient retention) and negative (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions, dispersal of pollutants). We call for future management to consider and enhance the multifunctional role that ditches can deliver at the landscape-scale.

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Publication Details

Journal
Communications Earth & Environment
Published
2025-08-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02699-y
Citations
4
Primary Topic
Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
6.87

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article

Lines in the landscape

Eliza Maher Hasselquist, Peter C. Smiley, Joshua Dean, Julie Crabot et al.
4 citations
Communications Earth & Environment
Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
6.87
article

Lines in the landscape

Eliza Maher Hasselquist, Peter C. Smiley, Joshua Dean, Julie Crabot, Guillermo Giannico, Hamidreza Rahimi, Nejem Raheem, Peta Zivec, Sarian Kosten, Matthew J. Hill, Jackie R. Webb, Mike Peacock, Laurie E. Friday, Corianne Tatariw, Sarah Cook, Chelsea Clifford, John Connolly, Shannon L. Speir, Mans Schepers, Jeffrey S. Strock, Jordanna N. Bergman, Michael J. Stratigos, Carl D. Sayer, Alan Law, Quinten Struik, Gea H. van der Lee, Magdalena Bieroza, Chris Evans, Rosalind F. Shaw, John Morgan, Iván Arismendi, Jennifer L. Tank, Wahaj Habib, Wyatt F. Cross, Alex J. Webster, Owen Fenton, Kate L. Mathers, Daniel Avilés, Stewart J. Clarke, Paul J. Wood, Amy Pickard, Antony G. Brown, Kieran J. Gething, Joachim Audet, Judith van der Knaap, Zhifeng Yan, Hao Wang, Rachel J. Burns, Nathaniel M. Heili
article en
4 citations

Abstract

Abstract Ditches (linear constructions which store and/or move water where humans prefer it to go), via irrigation, drainage, and power, have helped drive the development of human societies. Now, ditches and other linear channels, typically carrying water, are numerous and found on every continent. Their form varies widely with use, which includes land drainage, irrigation, transportation, and boundary marking. Ditches support and shape biogeochemical cycles, biotic communities, and human societies, at multiple spatiotemporal scales. However, ditches are frequently overlooked by researchers in many disciplines. Here, we review the largely unrecognized role that ditches play in environmental processes and human societies. The effects of ditches can be both positive (e.g., biodiversity refuges, water for food production, nutrient retention) and negative (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions, dispersal of pollutants). We call for future management to consider and enhance the multifunctional role that ditches can deliver at the landscape-scale.

Communications Earth & EnvironmentVol. 6(1)
University of Notre Dame (US), University of Stirling (GB), University of Copenhagen (DK), University of Minnesota (US), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (US), Agricultural Research Service (US), Oregon State University (US), Teagasc - The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority (IE), Loughborough University (GB), Radboud University Nijmegen (NL), University of Liverpool (GB), William & Mary (US), Tianjin University (CN), University of Groningen (NL), University of New Mexico (US), University of Southern Queensland (AU), University of Aberdeen (GB), Aarhus University (DK), Trinity College Dublin (IE), Montana State University (US), University of Exeter (GB), University of Cambridge (GB), University of Minnesota, Waseca (US), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SE), Universidad Mayor de San Simón (BO), University of Bristol (GB), University of Warwick (GB), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (GB), Vitensenteret i Trondheim (NO), National Trust (GB), Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (ES), University of Southampton (GB), Rowan University (US), University College London (GB), Nottingham Trent University (GB), Carleton University (CA), University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (US), Emerson College (US), Wageningen University & Research (NL), Harper Adams University (GB)
Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas, Naturvårdsverket, Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet, Natural Environment Research Council
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
6.87
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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