Lines in the landscape

Article

Clifford, Chelsea, Bieroza, Magdalena, Clarke, Stewart J., Pickard, Amy, Stratigos, Michael J., Hill, Matthew J., Raheem, Nejem, Tatariw, Corianne, Wood, Paul J., Arismendi, Ivan, Audet, Joachim, Aviles, Daniel, Bergman, Jordanna N., Brown, Anthony G., Burns, Rachel Eleanor, Connolly, John, Cook, Sarah, Crabot, Julie, Cross, Wyatt F., ..., Peacock, Mike. 2025. "Lines in the landscape." Communications Earth & Environment. 6. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02699-y
Article Title

Lines in the landscape

ERA Journal ID212124
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsClifford, Chelsea, Bieroza, Magdalena, Clarke, Stewart J., Pickard, Amy, Stratigos, Michael J., Hill, Matthew J., Raheem, Nejem, Tatariw, Corianne, Wood, Paul J., Arismendi, Ivan, Audet, Joachim, Aviles, Daniel, Bergman, Jordanna N., Brown, Anthony G., Burns, Rachel Eleanor, Connolly, John, Cook, Sarah, Crabot, Julie, Cross, Wyatt F., Dean, Joshua F., Evans, Chris D., Fenton, Owen, Friday, Laurie, Gething, Kieran J., Giannico, Guillermo, Habib, Wahaj, Hasselquist, Eliza Maher, Heili, Nathaniel M., van der Knaap, Judith, Kosten, Sarian, Law, Alan, van der Lee, Gea H., Mathers, Kate L., Morgan, John E., Rahimi, Hamidreza, Sayer, Carl D., Schepers, Mans, Shaw, Rosalind F., Smiley Jr, Peter C. Smiley Jr, Speir, Shannon L., Strock, Jeffrey S., Struik, Quinten, Tank, Jennifer L., Wang, Hao, Webb, Jackie R., Webster, Alex J., Yan, Zhifeng, Zivec, Peta and Peacock, Mike
Journal TitleCommunications Earth & Environment
Journal Citation6
Article Number693
Number of Pages16
Year2025
PublisherNature Publishing Group
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN2662-4435
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02699-y
Web Address (URL)https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02699-y
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.

Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 20204104. Environmental management
Byline AffiliationsCollege of William and Mary, United States
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
National Trust - Heelis, United Kingdom
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, United Kingdom
University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Harper Adams University, United Kingdom
Emerson College, United States
Rowan University, United States
Loughborough University, United Kingdom
Oregon State University, United States
Aarhus University, Denmark
Higher University of San Simón, Bolivia
Carleton University, Canada
Arctic University of Norway, Norway
University of Southampton, United Kingdom
University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Trinity College, Ireland
University of Warwick, United Kingdom
Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spain
Montana State University, United States
University of Bristol, United Kingdom
Teagasc Johnstown Castle Research Centre, Ireland
University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom
Radboud University, Netherlands
University of Stirling, United Kingdom
Wageningen University, Netherlands
University College London, United Kingdom
University of Groningen, Netherlands
University of Exeter, United Kingdom
U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, United States
University of Arkansas, United States
University of Minnesota, United States
University of Notre Dame, United States
School of Agriculture and Environmental Science
Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems
University of New Mexico, United States
Tianjin University, China
University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
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