Redefining and delineating pristine conditions: A methodological framework with an application to a minimally impacted Mediterranean stream basin
Pristine river ecosystems serve as critical reference points for understanding natural hydrochemical processes and nutrient cycling, providing valuable benchmarks for water quality assessment and conservation. However, globally, truly undisturbed rivers are rare, and the definition of “pristine” rem...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Ecological Indicators |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25010039 |
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| Summary: | Pristine river ecosystems serve as critical reference points for understanding natural hydrochemical processes and nutrient cycling, providing valuable benchmarks for water quality assessment and conservation. However, globally, truly undisturbed rivers are rare, and the definition of “pristine” remains ambiguous. Addressing this gap, the present study proposes a comprehensive methodological framework for the classification of pristine rivers. The framework integrates as indicators exclusion criteria for anthropogenic pressures, morphological criteria, physicochemical quality indices, nutrient dynamics, and pristine nutrient threshold definitions. The framework was applied to the Sarandaporos River, one of the few remaining free-flowing and minimally impacted catchments in the Mediterranean region. During the summer baseflow period of 2024, data were collected from 37 sites, including in-situ physicochemical measurements and water samples analyzed for nutrients and major ions. Findings reveal that the river’s ecological integrity, based on hydromorphological and hydrochemical dynamics, remain largely intact, driven primarily by natural processes. These conditions result in exceptionally low nutrient concentrations. Applying the proposed framework, 18 sites, and their sub-basins –encompassing 36 % of the river basin– were classified as pristine. The proposed methodology offers a transferable and standardized approach for identifying pristine riverine conditions, emphasizing the importance of conserving natural ecosystems. This work contributes to the global discourse on aquatic ecosystem integrity and supports more informed water resource management and conservation practices. |
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| ISSN: | 1470-160X |