Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbus, Ohio » Soil Drainage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #422078
Research Project: Practices and Technologies for Sustainable Production in Midwestern Tile Drained Agroecosystems

Location: Soil Drainage Research

Title: Lines in the landscape: the underappreciated importance of ditches as diverse ecosystems

Author
item CLIFFORD, CHELSEA - College Of William & Mary
item BIEROZA, MAGDALENA - Swedish University Of Agricultural Sciences
item CLARKE, STEWART - Bahamas National Trust
item PICKARD, AMY - Uk Centre For Ecology & Hydrology
item STRATIGOS, MICHAEL - University Of Aberdeen
item HILL, MATT - Bournemouth University
item RAHEEM, NEJEM - Emerson University
item TATARIW, CORIANNE - Rowan University
item WOOD, PAUL - Loughborough University
item ARISMENDI, IVAN - Oregon State University
item AUDET, JOACHIM - Aarhus University
item AVILES, DANIEL - Universidad Católica Boliviana
item BERGMAN, JORDANNA - Carleton University - Canada
item BROWN, TONY - The Arctic University Of Norway (UIT)
item BURNS, RACHEL - University Of Copenhagen
item CONNOLLY, JOHN - Trinity College
item COOK, SARAH - University Of Warwick
item CRABOT, JULIE - Ministry Of Science And Innovation, Csic
item CROSS, WYATT - Montana State University
item DEAN, JOSHUA - University Of Bristol
item EVANS, CHRIS - Uk Centre For Ecology & Hydrology
item FENTON, OWEN - Teagasc (AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY)
item FRIDAY, LAURIE - University Of Cambridge
item GETHING, KIERAN - Nottingham Trent University
item GIANNICO, GUILLERMO - Oregon State University
item HABIB, WAHAJ - Trinity College
item HASSELQUIST, ELIZA MAHER - Swedish University Of Agricultural Sciences
item HEILI, NATE - Montana State University
item VAN DER KNAAP, JUDITH - Radboud University
item KOSTEN, SARIAN - Radboud University
item LAW, ALAN - University Of Stirling
item VAN DER LEE, GEA - Wageningen University And Research Center
item MATHERS, KATE - Loughborough University
item MORGAN, JOHN - University Of Bristol
item RAHIMI, HAMIDREZA - University Of Cambridge
item SAYER, CARL - University College London
item SCHEPERS, MANS - University Of Groningen
item SHAW, ROSALIND - University Of Exeter
item Smiley, Peter
item SPEIR, SHANNON - University Of Arkansas
item STROCK, JEFF - University Of Minnesota
item STRUIK, QUINTON - Radboud University
item TANK, JENNIFER - University Of Notre Dame
item WANG, HAO - University Of Minnesota
item WEBB, JACKIE - University Of Southern Queensland
item WEBSTER, ALEX - University Of New Mexico
item YAN, ZHIFENG - Tianjin University
item ZIVEC, PETA - Swedish University Of Agricultural Sciences
item PEACOCK, MIKE - Swedish University Of Agricultural Sciences

Submitted to: Communications Earth & Environment
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/13/2025
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ditches, 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 multifunctionality that ditches can deliver at the landscape-scale.