Factors controlling litter input dynamics in streams draining pasture, pine, and native forest catchments

Scarsbrook, Mike R.; Quinn, John M.; Halliday, J.; Morse, Ryan E.

doi:10.1080/00288330.2001.9517040

Cited by 32 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…For example, changes in catchment land use and riparian vegetation have been shown to influence allochthonous inputs (Benfield, 1997;Scarsbrook et al, 2001) and autochthonous production (Young & Huryn, 1999). Agricultural practices, in particular, are expected to significantly alter C sources to stream ecosystems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shifts in allochthonous input and autochthonous production in streams along an agricultural land-use gradient

et al. 2010

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Relative contributions of allochthonous inputs and autochthonous production vary depending on terrestrial land use and biome. Terrestrially derived organic matter and in-stream primary production were measured in 12 headwater streams along an agricultural land-use gradient. Streams were examined to see how carbon (C) supply shifts from forested streams receiving primarily terrestrially derived C to agricultural streams, which may rely primarily on C derived from algal productivity. We measured allochthonous input, chlorophyll a concentration, and periphyton biomass in each stream, and whole-stream metabolism in six streams. Our results suggest a threshold between moderate-and heavy-agriculture land uses in which terrestrially derived C is replaced by in-stream algal productivity as the primary C source for aquatic consumers. A shift from allochthonous to autochthonous production was not evident in all heavy-agriculture streams, and only occurred in heavy-agriculture streams not impacted by livestock grazing. We then compared our findings to rates of allochthonous input and GPP in streams with minimal human influences in multiple biomes to assess how land-use practices influence C sources to stream ecosystems. The proportion of C derived from allochthonous versus autochthonous sources to heavyagriculture streams was most similar to grassland and desert streams, while C sources to forested, light-, and moderate-agriculture streams were more similar to deciduous and montane coniferous forest streams. We show that C source to streams is dependent on land use, terrestrial biome, and degradation of in-stream conditions. Further, we suggest that within a biome there seems to be a compensation such that total C input is nearly equal whether it is from allochthonous or autochthonous sources.Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shifts in allochthonous input and autochthonous production in streams along an agricultural land-use gradient

et al. 2010

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“…These riparian conditions influence instream habitat conditions in terms of sediment supply, detrital inputs, provision of shade and habitat for invertebrates and fish (Townsend et al, 1997;Winterbourn, 2000;Scarsbrook et al, 2001; Table II). Enhancement activities were aimed at reducing the cover of inorganic material, which would introduce fine sediments into the and all five streams flowed through urban areas the stream sections (i.e.…”

Section: Riparian Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the effectiveness of enhancement activities in urban streams: I. Habitat responses

Suren

Riis

Biggs

et al. 2005

River Research & Apps

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Effects of stream enhancement on habitat conditions in five spring-fed urban streams in Christchurch, New Zealand, were investigated. Stream enhancement consisted of riparian planting at three sites, and riparian planting and channel modifications at two sites, where a concrete dish channel and a timber-lined channel were removed, and natural banks reinstated. Sites were surveyed prior to enhancement activities and 5 years after, and changes in riparian conditions (composition, horizontal and vertical cover), instream conditions (bank modifications, inorganic and organic material on the streambed), and hydraulic conditions (wetted perimeter, cross-sectional area, depths and velocities) quantified. Enhanced sites generally had higher marginal vegetation cover, as well as increased overhanging riparian vegetation, reflecting planting of Carex sedges close to the water. Bed sediments changed at some sites, with the greatest change being replacement of a concrete channel with gravel and cobble substrate. Bryophyte cover declined at this site, reflecting loss of stable habitat where these plants grew. Bed sediments changed less at other sites, and cover of fine sediments increased in some enhanced sites, presumably from sediment runoff from nearby residential development. Filamentous algal cover decreased at one stream where shade increased, but increased in another stream where the removal of timber-lined banks and creation of a large pond decreased shade. Stream enhancement increased variability in velocity at three of the five sites, but overall changes to stream hydraulics were small. Although enhancement activities altered the physical conditions of the streams, major changes occurred only to riparian vegetation and bank conditions. Lack of other major changes to instream physical conditions most likely reflected the limited range of channel morphology alterations undertaken. Moreover, the flat topography of Christchurch and naturally low stream discharge further constrained changes to instream physical conditions from enhancement activities. Sediment inputs from continuing urban development also negated the effects of adding coarse substrates. These over-arching factors may constrain the success of future stream enhancement projects within Christchurch.

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“…Landuse activities also alter organic inputs in streams, changing their dominant carbon sources (Young & Huryn, 1999;Scarsbrook et al, 2001). Terrestrial inputs often dominate carbon sources in forested streams (Fisher & Likens, 1973;Wallace et al, 1999;Scarsbrook et al, 2001), but agricultural and forestry activities generally reduce litter inputs and their subsequent storage (Duncan & Brusven, 1985;Webster et al, 1990;DeLong & Brusven, 1994;Scarsbrook et al, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Terrestrial inputs often dominate carbon sources in forested streams (Fisher & Likens, 1973;Wallace et al, 1999;Scarsbrook et al, 2001), but agricultural and forestry activities generally reduce litter inputs and their subsequent storage (Duncan & Brusven, 1985;Webster et al, 1990;DeLong & Brusven, 1994;Scarsbrook et al, 2001). Epilithon (e.g., diatom films, filamentous green algae (FGA), or heterotrophic biofilms) is also ubiquitous on stones in streams, where it can represent important carbon sources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Deposited Sediment on Patch Selection by two Grazing Stream Invertebrates

Suren

2005

Hydrobiologia

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Patch selection for cobbles covered by different food types, with and without deposited sediment, by two common New Zealand stream invertebrates, the snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Hydrobiidae) and the mayfly Deleatidium sp. (Leptophlebiidae), was quantified. Each taxa was exposed to cobbles covered by (1) filamentous green algae (FGA) or diatoms, and (2) diatoms or heterotrophic biofilms. Two cobbles of each food type were used in each trial, one of which was contaminated by deposited sediment. All cobbles were embedded in plaster in small basins to prevent animals hiding under them, and a known number of animals placed into each basin. The location of each animal was recorded over time, with some observations being made during darkness to see whether this influenced animal movement. More Potamopyrgus were found on cobbles covered by FGA than cobbles covered by diatoms. Sediment-contaminated cobbles covered with FGA also supported more snails than uncontaminated cobbles covered with diatoms. More Potamopyrgus were found on cobbles covered by diatoms than biofilms, and sediment reduced their preference for both these foods. More Deleatidium nymphs were found on diatom-covered cobbles than FGA-covered cobbles. Sediment reduced the preference of Deleatidium for diatoms, but more animals were found on cobbles with sediment-contaminated diatoms than uncontaminated FGA. Patch selection was similar between cobbles covered by either diatoms or biofilms, but sediment reduced the preference of both these foods to Deleatidium. More Deleatidium were recorded on bare plaster during darkness, suggesting they were more mobile at night and searching for new habitats. These results help explain the common occurrence of Potamopyrgus in streams draining developed catchments where FGA blooms and deposited sediment are common, and of Deleatidium in streams draining less developed catchments where FGA and deposited sediment are uncommon.

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Factors controlling litter input dynamics in streams draining pasture, pine, and native forest catchments

Cited by 32 publications

References 21 publications

Shifts in allochthonous input and autochthonous production in streams along an agricultural land-use gradient

Shifts in allochthonous input and autochthonous production in streams along an agricultural land-use gradient

Assessing the effectiveness of enhancement activities in urban streams: I. Habitat responses

Effects of Deposited Sediment on Patch Selection by two Grazing Stream Invertebrates

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