The role of stream biota in watershed processes

Conference · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:7190444

Cummins, K W

The linkage between stream biota and the bank (riparian) vegetation is an essential and tight association in small (orders 1 to 4), running water systems. This critical association can be observed in watersheds covering the full range of thermal and hydrologic patterns. Coarse particulate detritus derived primarily from terrestrial streamside vegetation is processed in the stream channel - that is, converted to fine particulate detritus, respired CO/sub 2/, and living organism biomass. The terrestrial-stream interchange is a two way process associated with seasonal temperature and flow cycles. Thus stream organisms utilizing detritus ultimately of terrestrial origin, change both the size and quality of the particulate organics. This material generally reaches a higher quality condition more rapidly than that confined to the soil litter. In addition to the two-way interaction that is processing terrestrially-derived litter and yielding qualitatively changed material to the flood plain at high flows, the stream biota play a significant role in the entrainment and retention of dissolved and particulate organics within a given stream reach.

• Research Organization: Maryland Univ., Frostburg (USA). Appalachian Environmental Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: FG05-85ER60301
• OSTI ID: 7190444
• Report Number(s): CONF-8505326-1; ON: DE87002874
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIODEGRADATION
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DETRITUS
ECOLOGY
ECOSYSTEMS
FOREST LITTER
MATERIALS
MINERAL CYCLING
PLANTS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS