Núria Cid, Tibor Eros, Jani Heino, Gabriel Singer, Sonja C. Jähnig, Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles, Núria Bonada, Romain Sarremejane, Heikki Mykra, Leonard Sandin

Ecological processes occurring at the regional scale, such as the dispersal of organisms, and spatial flows of material and energy are fundamental for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in river networks, yet they remain largely overlooked in most river management practices and underlying policies. We propose a meta-system approach where regional processes acting at different levels of ecological organization – populations, communities and ecosystems – can be integrated into conventional conservation, restoration and biomonitoring of rivers. We recommend a series of measurements and indicators that could be assimilated into the implementation of relevant biodiversity and environmental policies. We highlight the need for alternative management strategies that can guide practitioners towards applying recent advances in ecology to preserve and restore river ecosystems and the ecosystem services they provide in the context of increasing alteration of river network connectivity worldwide.