2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference
March 13 - 15, 2022
5/21/2019 | 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM | AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM RESPONSES TO RIPARIAN CANOPY GAPS IN FORESTED HEADWATER STREAMS | 151 ABC
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM RESPONSES TO RIPARIAN CANOPY GAPS IN FORESTED HEADWATER STREAMS
Across temperate North America, riparian zones are dominated by mid-succession forests. The dense and structurally uniform canopies that develop at the early/middle stages in forest succession limit light availability to streams, thereby limiting fundamental aquatic ecosystem processes such as primary production and biogeochemical cycling. In contrast to the light-limited streams with young uniform riparian forests, streams bordered by old-growth forests often have irregular canopy gaps that lead to patches of increased light availability. These patches of elevated light from canopy gaps are hypothesized to release benthic algae from light limitation, leading to increased primary production and greater nutrient cycling. To assess the influence of riparian forest structure on stream ecosystem processes, we conducted a field experiment with six replicate canopy gap treatments along streams bordered by dense mid-successional forests. We quantified changes in light availability, primary production, and nutrient demand. Creating canopy gaps resulted in localized increases in light, with subsequent increases in chlorophyll-a accrual and nutrient demand at the reach scale. This work will advance our understanding of how successional changes in terrestrial systems can impact processes in adjacent aquatic ecosystems.
- Light
- Primary Production
- Landuse
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Presenters/Authors
Allison Swartz
(), Oregon State University, allison.swartz@oregonstate.edu;
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Dana Warren
(), Oregon State University, dana.warren@oregonstate.edu;
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