Plants intertwine fluvial landform dynamics with ecological succession and natural selection: a niche construction perspective for riparian systems

Aim To contribute to the development of a macroevolutionary framework for riparian systems, reinforcing conceptual linkages between earth surface processes and biological and ecological processes. Location Riparian systems. Methods Literature review leading to an original proposition for perceiving the functioning of riparian systems in a new and different way. Results Riparian systems provide diverse landforms, habitats and resources for animals and plants. Certain organisms, defined as 'ecosystem engineers', significantly create and modify the physical components of riparian systems. Many studies have highlighted such engineering effects by animals on riparian systems, but the identification and understanding of the effects and responses of plants within fluvial corridors have emerged only recently. The modulation of matter, resources and energy flows by engineering plants helps establish characteristic sequences of fluvial landform creation and maintenance associated with synergetic ecological successions. We relate this process to the concept of niche construction, developed mainly by evolutionary biologists. Feedbacks between adaptive responses of riparian plants to flow regime and adjusting effects on biostabilization and bioconstruction are discussed in the context of niche construction at the scale of ecological succession and the evolution of organisms. Main conclusions Our conceptualization forges an integrated approach for understanding vegetated fluvial systems from a macroevolutionary perspective, for elucidating riparian ecosystem dynamics and potentially for establishing long-term stream conservation and restoration strategies.