Editing Waterfall (section)

== Ecology ==
[[File:Ulaan_tsutgalan,_Mongolia.jpg|thumb|Ulaan tsutgalan in [[Mongolia]] During Summer 2023, the background is showing more geological structures formations and farther geological features]]
[[File:Iceland Dettifoss 1972-4.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Dettifoss]] in [[Iceland]] on 31 July 1972]]
Waterfalls are an important factor in determining the distribution of [[lotic]] organisms such as fish and aquatic invertebrates, as they may restrict dispersal along streams. The presence or absence of certain species can have cascading ecological effects, and thus cause differences in trophic regimes above and below waterfalls. Certain aquatic plants and insects also specialize in the environment of the waterfall itself.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=Kate |last2=Chadwick |first2=Michael A. |last3=Wahab |first3=Rodzay A. |last4=Kahar |first4=Rafhiah |date=1 February 2017 |title=Benthic community structure and ecosystem functions in above- and below-waterfall pools in Borneo |journal=Hydrobiologia |language=en |volume=787 |issue=1 |pages=307–322 |doi=10.1007/s10750-016-2975-4 |issn=1573-5117 |doi-access=free|hdl=10871/37922 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rackemann |first1=Sarah L. |last2=Robson |first2=Belinda J. |last3=Matthews |first3=Ty G. |date=2013 |title=Conservation value of waterfalls as habitat for lotic insects of western Victoria, Australia |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/aqc.2304 |journal=Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems |language=en |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=171–178 |doi=10.1002/aqc.2304 |bibcode=2013ACMFE..23..171R |issn=1099-0755 |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=11 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211212600/https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/aqc.2304 |url-status=live|url-access=subscription }}</ref> A 2012 study of the [[Agbokim Waterfalls]], has suggested that they hold biodiversity to a much higher extent than previously thought.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last1=Offem |first1=B.O. |last2=Ikpi |first2=G.U. |date=2012 |title=Distribution and dynamics of a tropical waterfalls ecosystem |journal=Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems |issue=404 |page=10 |doi=10.1051/kmae/2012004 |issn=1961-9502 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

Waterfalls also affect terrestrial species. They create a small microclimate in their immediate vicinity characterized by cooler temperatures and higher humidity than the surrounding region, which may support diverse communities of [[moss]]es and [[liverworts]]. Species of these plants may have disjunct populations at waterfall zones far from their core range.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Waterfalls and Biodiversity in BC |url=https://ibis.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/WaterfallsandBiodiversityinBC.html |access-date=3 February 2021 |website=ibis.geog.ubc.ca |archive-date=7 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207131256/https://ibis.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/WaterfallsandBiodiversityinBC.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Waterfalls provide nesting cover for several species of bird, such as the [[Black Swift|black swift]] and [[white-throated dipper]]. These species preferentially nest in the space behind the falling water, which is thought to be a strategy to avoid predation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 November 2014 |title=Black Swift |url=https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/black-swift |access-date=3 February 2021 |website=Audubon |language=en |archive-date=3 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203120214/https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/black-swift |url-status=live}}</ref>