Sand mining (used here as a generic term that includes mining of any riverine aggregates regardless of particle size) is a global activity that is receiving increasing media attention due to perceived negative environmental and social impacts. As calls grow for stronger regulation of mining, there is a need to understand the scientific evidence to support effective management. This paper summarizes the results of a structured literature review addressing the question, “What evidence is there of impacts of sand mining on ecosystem structure, process, and biodiversity in rivers, floodplains, and estuaries?” The review found that most investigations have focused on temperate rivers where sand mining occurred historically but has now ceased. Channel incision was the most common physical impact identified; other physical responses, including habitat disturbance, alteration of riparian zones, and changes to downstream sediment transport, were highly variable and dependant on river characteristics. Ecosystem attributes affected included macroinvertebrate drift, fish movements, species abundance and community structures, and food web dynamics. Studies often inferred impacts on populations, but supporting data were scarce. Limited evidence suggests that rivers can sustain extraction if volumes are within the natural sediment load variability. Significantly, the countries and rivers for which there is science‐based evidence related to sand mining are not those where extensive sand mining is currently reported. The lack of scientific and systematic studies of sand mining in these countries prevents accurate quantification of mined volumes or the type, extent, and magnitude of any impacts. Additional research into how sand mining is affecting ecosystem services, impacting biodiversity and particularly threatened species, and how mining impacts interact with other activities or threats is urgently required.

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河流采砂对淡水生态系统的影响：科学证据回顾和未来研究指导

采砂（此处用作通用术语，包括开采任何河流集料，无论粒度大小）是一项全球性活动，由于感知到的负面环境和社会影响而受到越来越多的媒体关注。随着对采矿业加强监管的呼声越来越高，有必要了解支持有效管理的科学证据。本文总结了针对以下问题的结构化文献综述的结果：“有哪些证据表明采砂对河流、洪泛区和河口的生态系统结构、过程和生物多样性有影响？” 审查发现，大多数调查都集中在温带河流上，这些河流在历史上曾发生过采砂，但现已停止。渠道切口是最常见的物理影响；其他身体反应，包括栖息地干扰、河岸带的改变和下游沉积物运输的变化，变化很大，取决于河流特征。受影响的生态系统属性包括大型无脊椎动物漂移、鱼类运动、物种丰富度和群落结构以及食物网动态。研究经常推断对人口的影响，但支持数据很少。有限的证据表明，如果水量在自然泥沙负荷变化范围内，河流可以维持开采。值得注意的是，有科学依据的与采砂有关的国家和河流并不是目前报告的广泛采砂的国家和河流。这些国家缺乏对采砂的科学和系统研究，因此无法准确量化开采量或类型、范围、以及任何影响的程度。迫切需要进一步研究采砂如何影响生态系统服务、影响生物多样性和特别是受威胁的物种，以及采矿影响如何与其他活动或威胁相互作用。