scholarly journals The mass distribution of coarse particulate organic matter exported from an alpine headwater stream

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Turowski ◽  
A. Badoux ◽  
K. Bunte ◽  
C. Rickli ◽  
N. Federspiel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Mass Distribution ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Mountain Stream ◽  
Scaling Exponent ◽  
Coarse Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Substrate Properties ◽  
Strong Control

Abstract. Coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) particles span sizes from 1 mm, with masses less than 1 mg, to large logs and whole trees, which may have masses of several hundred kilograms. Different size and mass classes play different roles in stream environments, from being the prime source of energy in stream ecosystems to macroscopically determining channel morphology and local hydraulics. We show that a single scaling exponent can describe the mass distribution of CPOM transported in the Erlenbach, a steep mountain stream in the Swiss Prealps. This exponent takes an average value of −1.8, is independent of discharge and valid for particle masses spanning almost seven orders of magnitude. Together with a rating curve of CPOM transport rates with discharge, we discuss the importance of the scaling exponent for measuring strategies and natural hazard mitigation. Similar to CPOM, the mass distribution of in-stream large woody debris can likewise be described by power law scaling distributions, with exponents varying between −1.8 and −2.0, if all in-stream material is considered, and between −1.4 and −1.8 for material locked in log jams. We expect that scaling exponents are determined by stream type, vegetation, climate, substrate properties, and the connectivity between channels and hillslopes. However, none of the descriptor variables tested here, including drainage area, channel bed slope and forested area, show a strong control on exponent value. The number of streams studied in this paper is too small to make final conclusions.

scholarly journals The mass distribution of coarse particulate organic matter exported from an Alpine headwater stream

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Turowski ◽  
A. Badoux ◽  
K. Bunte ◽  
C. Rickli ◽  
N. Federspiel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Mass Distribution ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Mountain Stream ◽  
Scaling Exponent ◽  
Scaling Exponents ◽  
Coarse Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Strong Control

Abstract. Coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) particles span sizes from 1 mm, with a dry mass less than 1 mg, to large logs and entire trees, which can have a dry mass of several hundred kilograms. Pieces of different size and mass play different roles in stream environments, from being the prime source of energy in stream ecosystems to macroscopically determining channel morphology and local hydraulics. We show that a single scaling exponent can describe the mass distribution of CPOM heavier than 0.1 g transported in the Erlenbach, a steep mountain stream in the Swiss pre-Alps. This exponent takes an average value of −1.8, is independent of discharge and valid for particle masses spanning almost seven orders of magnitude. Similarly, the mass distribution of in-stream large woody debris (LWD) in several Swiss streams can be described by power law scaling distributions, with exponents varying between −1.8 and −2.0, if all in-stream LWD is considered, and between −1.3 and −1.8 for material locked in log jams. We found similar values for in-stream and transported material in the literature. We had expected that scaling exponents are determined by stream type, vegetation, climate, substrate properties, and the connectivity between channels and hillslopes. However, none of the descriptor variables tested here, including drainage area, channel bed slope and the percentage of forested area, show a strong control on exponent value. Together with a rating curve of CPOM transport rates with discharge, the scaling exponents can be used in the design of measuring strategies and in natural hazard mitigation.

Effects of tributary size on the resource supply and physical habitat at tributary junctions along two mainstem rivers

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 1393-1408
Author(s):  
David A. Tavernini ◽  
John S. Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Main Stem ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variability ◽  
Physical Habitat ◽  
Resource Concentration ◽  
Coarse Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Substrate Size ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Diel Period

Tributary junctions are regarded as ecologically important due to unique habitat present; however, there is limited understanding of the drivers of habitat attributes at these locations. Using six sites across two mainstem rivers, we tested whether tributary size relative to main stem governs the strength and direction of response of substrate size, stream temperature, and nutrient and coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) concentration. We found that only phosphorus and CPOM concentration showed a significant relationship with relative tributary size. Small tributaries contributed high concentrations, whereas concentrations in larger tributaries resembled the main stem. Often, tributary exports were enough to increase the resource concentration in the main stem by 40%. Substrate coarsened by ∼60% downstream of tributaries. Temperature asynchrony was observed, where tributaries contributed water between 2.8 °C cooler to 1.9 °C warmer than the main stem within one diel period. Our results highlight the importance of small tributaries for whole network functioning. However, large spatiotemporal variability revealed how habitat attributes are highly context-dependent in these locations and may be difficult to predict in both scientific and management settings.

scholarly journals Coarse particulate organic matter in the interstitial zone of three French headwater streams

2012 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Cornut ◽  
Arnaud Elger ◽  
Axel Greugny ◽  
Maelys Bonnet ◽  
Eric Chauvet
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Headwater Streams ◽  
Coarse Particulate Organic Matter

Hydrologic and Riparian Influences on the Import and Storage of Coarse Particulate Organic Matter in a Prairie Stream

1988 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 655-665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin E. Gurtz ◽  
G. Richard Marzolf ◽  
Keith T. Killingbeck ◽  
David L. Smith ◽  
J. Vaun McArthur
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
River Continuum Concept ◽  
Hydrologic Regime ◽  
River Continuum ◽  
Coarse Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Continuum Concept ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Prairie Stream

The hydrologic regime and zonation of riparian vegetation influenced the quantity and quality of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM; >1 mm) stored in the channel and upper bank of a prairie stream. In a 5.4-km intermittent reach of the South Branch of Kings Creek on Konza Prairie, Kansas, total annual import was lowest in headwater reaches and increased downstream. Total storage of benthic CPOM in the dry channel and on the bank before the flow period was highest in the fourth- and fifth-order gallery forest zone (999 g ash-free dry mass∙m−2) and less in upstream reaches (320–341 g∙m−2). These longitudinal patterns of CPOM annual import and storage (before the flow period) were opposite those predicted by the river continuum concept for streams draining forested regions. Following flow, headwater channels had more CPOM (291 g∙m−2) than downstream reaches. On the bank, storage was always highest in downstream reaches. Composition of CPOM both in the channel and on the bank varied with changes in riparian vegetation; grass tissues dominated in headwater channels, while wood and leaves of trees and shrubs were more abundant downstream. During the flow period, storage of CPOM increased only in headwater channels, where retention was high despite the lack of woody debris. In this intermittent prairie stream, benthic CPOM may not contribute consistently to the terrestrial/aquatic linkages that are suggested in the river continuum concept because of (1) a paucity of large CPOM sources (e.g. trees, shrubs) in the upper reaches and (2) a hydrologic regime that reduces the amount, as well as the predictability, of stored CPOM. The biota of prairie streams must have opportunistic food gathering and reproductive strategies to take advantage of variable food resources in a flow environment that is itself very unpredictable.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document