Articles | Volume 20, issue 16
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3395-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3395-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
17 Aug 2023
Research article |
| 17 Aug 2023
| 17 Aug 2023
Anthropogenic activities significantly increase annual greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes from temperate headwater streams in Germany
Ricky Mwangada Mwanake
Institute for Meteorology and
Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU),
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kreuzeckbahnstraße 19, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Gretchen Maria Gettel
Department of Environmental Resources, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2611 AX Delft, the
Netherlands
Department of Ecoscience, Lake Ecology, Aarhus University, C. F. Møllers Allé 1110, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
Elizabeth Gachibu Wangari
Institute for Meteorology and
Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU),
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kreuzeckbahnstraße 19, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Clarissa Glaser
Center for Applied Geoscience, University of Tübingen,
Schnarrenbergstraße 94–96, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
Tobias Houska
Institute for Landscape Ecology and Resources Management (ILR),
Research Centre for Biosystems, Land Use and Nutrition (iFZ),
Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Lutz Breuer
Institute for Landscape Ecology and Resources Management (ILR),
Research Centre for Biosystems, Land Use and Nutrition (iFZ),
Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Centre for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU),
Justus Liebig University Giessen, Senckenbergstraße 3, 35390 Giessen,
Germany
Klaus Butterbach-Bahl
Institute for Meteorology and
Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU),
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kreuzeckbahnstraße 19, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Pioneer Center Land-CRAFT, Department of Agroecology, University of
Aarhus, C. F. Møllers Allé 4, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
Institute for Meteorology and
Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU),
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kreuzeckbahnstraße 19, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Viewed
Total article views: 4,495 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 17 Apr 2023)
| HTML | XML | Total | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,913 | 1,378 | 204 | 4,495 | 190 | 294 |
- HTML: 2,913
- PDF: 1,378
- XML: 204
- Total: 4,495
- BibTeX: 190
- EndNote: 294
Total article views: 2,857 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 17 Aug 2023)
| HTML | XML | Total | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,027 | 706 | 124 | 2,857 | 125 | 157 |
- HTML: 2,027
- PDF: 706
- XML: 124
- Total: 2,857
- BibTeX: 125
- EndNote: 157
Total article views: 1,638 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Cumulative views and downloads
(calculated since 17 Apr 2023)
| HTML | XML | Total | BibTeX | EndNote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 886 | 672 | 80 | 1,638 | 65 | 137 |
- HTML: 886
- PDF: 672
- XML: 80
- Total: 1,638
- BibTeX: 65
- EndNote: 137
Viewed (geographical distribution)
Total article views: 4,495 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Thereof 4,492 with geography defined
and 3 with unknown origin.
Total article views: 2,857 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Thereof 2,843 with geography defined
and 14 with unknown origin.
Total article views: 1,638 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
Thereof 1,638 with geography defined
and 0 with unknown origin.
| Country | # | Views | % |
|---|
| Country | # | Views | % |
|---|
| Country | # | Views | % |
|---|
| Total: | 0 |
| HTML: | 0 |
| PDF: | 0 |
| XML: | 0 |
- 1
1
| Total: | 0 |
| HTML: | 0 |
| PDF: | 0 |
| XML: | 0 |
- 1
1
| Total: | 0 |
| HTML: | 0 |
| PDF: | 0 |
| XML: | 0 |
- 1
1
Cited
24 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Urbanization Drives Carbon Dioxide Supersaturation in South Asian River Networks: Insights from the Krishna River Basin, India R. Singh et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.4c00947
- Large spatiotemporal variability in CH4 emissions from a subtropical coastal creek in southeast China affected by hydrological and biogeochemical processes L. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.134795
- Land Use, Stream Order, and Temperature Dependences of Methane Emissions across Subtropical Rivers in Southeast China M. Qi et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5c15434
- Riverine CH4 and CO2 emissions respond to associated agricultural land use and seasonality J. Tang et al. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2024.348
- Urbanization significantly increases greenhouse gas emissions from a subtropical headwater stream in Southeast China M. Dai et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173508
- The role of agricultural fertilization intensity on fluvial GHG fluxes from tropical and temperate catchments R. Mwanake et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127782
- Variability of CO2 and CH4 in a coastal peatland rewetted with brackish water from the Baltic Sea derived from autonomous high-resolution measurements D. Pönisch et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3583-2025
- Natural abundance sediment δ15N as a proxy for long-term gross N-turnover processes, GHG emissions, and denitrification hotspots within fluvial ecosystems R. Mwanake et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2026.100685
- Divergent drivers of the spatial variation in greenhouse gas concentrations and fluxes along the Rhine River and the Mittelland Canal in Germany R. Mwanake et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33394-8
- High carbon to nitrogen ratio linked to significant diffusive methane emissions from aquaculture area of a subtropical shallow lake Q. Xiao et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2024.109404
- Extending CO2 and CH4 footprints of created habitats through drainage ditches in a subtropical coastal region of southeastern China Y. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2025.121746
- Editorial: Greenhouse gas emissions from terrestrial freshwater ecosystems: spatial and temporal hot spots D. Piatka et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2024.1390123
- Karacabey subasar orman ekosistemlerinde ormancılık faaliyetlerinin toprak CO2 ve CH4 salınımına etkisi T. Sarıyıldız https://doi.org/10.17474/artvinofd.1438751
- Analysis of drought in upper Moulouya Basin (Morocco): a combination of drought indices, classic and innovative trend tests Z. Qadem et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-025-05699-2
- How do varying nitrogen fertilization rates affect crop yields and riverine N2O emissions? A hybrid modeling study D. Panique-Casso et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2025.123242
- The spatial–temporal variability of methane emissions in a montane headstream: implication of precipitation, morphology and microhabitat H. Chen et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.133534
- Agricultural and urban land use intensifies riverine GHG emissions across continents D. Panique-Casso et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2026.125816
- Elevated in-stream CO2 concentration stimulates net-N2O production from global fluvial ecosystems R. Mwanake et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2025.124320
- Warming-acidification synergy amplifies plastisphere-mediated nitrous oxide emissions M. Ayaz et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.130079
- From data to insights: Upscaling riverine GHG fluxes in Germany with machine learning R. Mwanake et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177984
- Acidification reshapes plastisphere communities to sustain potassium-stimulated N2O emissions under warming M. Ayaz et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.142266
- Decadal mitigation and shifting drivers of aquatic CH4 and N2O emissions during urban stream restoration Z. Yuan et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2026.126001
- Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Dissolved CO₂ and N₂O in Yangtze River Delta: Identifying Drivers and Environmental Controls Y. Wei et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-026-09366-8
- Coastal creeks as greenhouse gas hotspots: the role of nutrient availability and microbial activity G. Chen et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.133412
24 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Urbanization Drives Carbon Dioxide Supersaturation in South Asian River Networks: Insights from the Krishna River Basin, India R. Singh et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.4c00947
- Large spatiotemporal variability in CH4 emissions from a subtropical coastal creek in southeast China affected by hydrological and biogeochemical processes L. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.134795
- Land Use, Stream Order, and Temperature Dependences of Methane Emissions across Subtropical Rivers in Southeast China M. Qi et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5c15434
- Riverine CH4 and CO2 emissions respond to associated agricultural land use and seasonality J. Tang et al. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2024.348
- Urbanization significantly increases greenhouse gas emissions from a subtropical headwater stream in Southeast China M. Dai et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173508
- The role of agricultural fertilization intensity on fluvial GHG fluxes from tropical and temperate catchments R. Mwanake et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127782
- Variability of CO2 and CH4 in a coastal peatland rewetted with brackish water from the Baltic Sea derived from autonomous high-resolution measurements D. Pönisch et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3583-2025
- Natural abundance sediment δ15N as a proxy for long-term gross N-turnover processes, GHG emissions, and denitrification hotspots within fluvial ecosystems R. Mwanake et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2026.100685
- Divergent drivers of the spatial variation in greenhouse gas concentrations and fluxes along the Rhine River and the Mittelland Canal in Germany R. Mwanake et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33394-8
- High carbon to nitrogen ratio linked to significant diffusive methane emissions from aquaculture area of a subtropical shallow lake Q. Xiao et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2024.109404
- Extending CO2 and CH4 footprints of created habitats through drainage ditches in a subtropical coastal region of southeastern China Y. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2025.121746
- Editorial: Greenhouse gas emissions from terrestrial freshwater ecosystems: spatial and temporal hot spots D. Piatka et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2024.1390123
- Karacabey subasar orman ekosistemlerinde ormancılık faaliyetlerinin toprak CO2 ve CH4 salınımına etkisi T. Sarıyıldız https://doi.org/10.17474/artvinofd.1438751
- Analysis of drought in upper Moulouya Basin (Morocco): a combination of drought indices, classic and innovative trend tests Z. Qadem et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-025-05699-2
- How do varying nitrogen fertilization rates affect crop yields and riverine N2O emissions? A hybrid modeling study D. Panique-Casso et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2025.123242
- The spatial–temporal variability of methane emissions in a montane headstream: implication of precipitation, morphology and microhabitat H. Chen et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.133534
- Agricultural and urban land use intensifies riverine GHG emissions across continents D. Panique-Casso et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2026.125816
- Elevated in-stream CO2 concentration stimulates net-N2O production from global fluvial ecosystems R. Mwanake et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2025.124320
- Warming-acidification synergy amplifies plastisphere-mediated nitrous oxide emissions M. Ayaz et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.130079
- From data to insights: Upscaling riverine GHG fluxes in Germany with machine learning R. Mwanake et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177984
- Acidification reshapes plastisphere communities to sustain potassium-stimulated N2O emissions under warming M. Ayaz et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.142266
- Decadal mitigation and shifting drivers of aquatic CH4 and N2O emissions during urban stream restoration Z. Yuan et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2026.126001
- Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Dissolved CO₂ and N₂O in Yangtze River Delta: Identifying Drivers and Environmental Controls Y. Wei et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-026-09366-8
- Coastal creeks as greenhouse gas hotspots: the role of nutrient availability and microbial activity G. Chen et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.133412
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 13 Jun 2026
Short summary
Despite occupying <1 %; of the globe, streams are significant sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this study, we determined anthropogenic effects on GHG emissions from streams. We found that anthropogenic-influenced streams had up to 20 times more annual GHG emissions than natural ones and were also responsible for seasonal peaks. Anthropogenic influences also altered declining GHG flux trends with stream size, with potential impacts on stream-size-based spatial upscaling techniques.
Despite occupying 1 %; of the globe, streams are significant sources of greenhouse gas (GHG)...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint