Importance of movement

In dynamic environments like rivers and streams, the location and quality of habitats are ever-changing. Flooding and woody debris work together to shape river and stream channels, water depth, and flow characteristics, creating a shifting mosaic of habitats within riverine systems. Organisms need to move to survive in these dynamic river and stream ecosystems. These range from regular movements necessary to access food, shelter, mates, nesting areas, or other resources, to significant shifts in response to extreme conditions brought about by natural or human-caused disturbance.

Survival of individual animals, facilitation of reproduction, and the maintenance of population continuity are important functions of movement at a population level.