scholarly journals The effects of storm-induced events on the seasonal dynamics of epilithic algal biomass in subtropical mountain streams

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeng-Wei Tsai ◽  
Yi-Li Chuang ◽  
Zih-Yi Wu ◽  
Mei-Hwa Kuo ◽  
Hsing-Juh Lin
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Mountain Streams ◽  
Vegetation Coverage ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Epilithic Algae

Information concerning the drivers of seasonal variation in algal biomass in subtropical mountain streams is limited. To identify the drivers of biomass dynamics for epilithic algae, a 20-month study was conducted in mountain streams in Taiwan, an area characterised by different levels of riparian vegetation coverage and agricultural activity, in which a process-based model was optimally fit to field data. We found that episodic typhoon-induced floods were the major drivers shaping the seasonal variations in algal biomass. Flow-induced detachment was frequently observed in periods of higher algal biomass. In contrast, an increased flow stimulated algal growth during periods with slower flow rates. Increased temperature stimulated algal growth at sites with an open canopy cover and higher light availability but constrained biomass at sites with dense canopy shading. Overall, scraper biomass exerted less influence on algal biomass than did environmental factors. The effects of grazing were visible only at the pristine, low-stream-order site in winter. The effects of minimal algal biomass required for recovery was comparable to environmental factors only at sites with intermediate canopy cover, moderate discharge, and higher nutrient concentrations. We suggest that agricultural activity and riparian vegetation can affect epilithic algal biomass in subtropical mountain streams.

scholarly journals A macro-tidal freshwater ecosystem recovering from hypereutrophication: the Schelde case study

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 2935-2948 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. S. Cox ◽  
T. Maris ◽  
K. Soetaert ◽  
D. J. Conley ◽  
S. Van Damme ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Inhibition ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Alternative Stable States ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystem ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
Stable States ◽  
Estuarine Ecosystem ◽  
Algal Growth Inhibition

Abstract. We report a 40 year record of eutrophication and hypoxia on an estuarine ecosystem and its recovery from hypereutrophication. After decades of high inorganic nutrient concentrations and recurring anoxia and hypoxia, we observe a paradoxical increase in chlorophyll-a concentrations with decreasing nutrient inputs. We hypothesise that algal growth was inhibited due to hypereutrophication, either by elevated ammonium concentrations, severe hypoxia or the production of harmful substances in such a reduced environment. We study the dynamics of a simple but realistic mathematical model, incorporating the assumption of algal growth inhibition. It shows a high algal biomass, net oxygen production equilibrium with low ammonia inputs, and a low algal biomass, net oxygen consumption equilibrium with high ammonia inputs. At intermediate ammonia inputs it displays two alternative stable states. Although not intentional, the numerical output of this model corresponds to observations, giving extra support for assumption of algal growth inhibition. Due to potential algal growth inhibition, the recovery of hypereutrophied systems towards a classical eutrophied state, will need reduction of waste loads below certain thresholds and will be accompanied by large fluctuations in oxygen concentrations. We conclude that also flow-through systems, heavily influenced by external forcings which partly mask internal system dynamics, can display multiple stable states.

Relationships among nutrients, algae, and land use in urbanized southern California streams

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 2621-2638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilian B Busse ◽  
Juliet C Simpson ◽  
Scott D Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Southern California ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Total Chlorophyll ◽  
Impervious Surfaces ◽  
High Nutrient

We surveyed algal cover, algal biomass, and physical and chemical factors at 14 sites representing a range of land use types in the Malibu Creek watershed in southern California, USA. We also conducted nutrient diffuser substrate experiments to identify the nutrient limiting algal growth. Algal biomass increased with urbanization, reaching very high levels in the most urbanized streams (up to 322.4 mg chlorophyll a·m-2). Total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and benthic and total chlorophyll concentrations were positively correlated with the proportion of upstream land covered by impervious surfaces. Relationships between land use and algal biomass or nutrient concentrations were evaluated at 100 m, 500 m, and whole subwatershed scales. The closest relationships were found at the 500 m scale, where 56% of the variation in total chlorophyll could be explained by the proportion of land within a 500 m radius upstream covered by impervious surfaces. Floating macroalgae were observed in the summer in pools with high nutrient and light levels, whereas benthic algal biomass was positively related to total phosphorus concentrations and current speed. Other methods of determining nutrient limitation (nutrient diffuser substrate experiment, molar N/P ratios in stream water) produced conflicting results, possibly because algal growth was saturated by high nutrient levels at some of the study sites.

Autotrophic Production in Carnation Creek, a Coastal Rainforest Stream on Vancouver Island, British Columbia

1976 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 1553-1563 ◽  
Author(s):  
John G. Stockner ◽  
K. R. S. Shortreed
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nutrient Enrichment ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Herbivorous Insects ◽  
Light Conditions ◽  
Net Production ◽  
Filamentous Green Algae ◽  
Major Loss

Attached algal growth in Carnation Creek and its estuary were monitored in 1974 and 1975 as part of the Carnation Creek Experimental Watershed Project. Net production on the estuary was 17.8 μg organic matter (org)∙cm−2∙day−1, and in Carnation Creek the average was 3.4 μg org∙cm−2∙day−1. Algal growth in Ritherdon Creek, located in an adjacent logged watershed, was slightly higher (4.6 μg org∙cm−2∙day−1) than the Carnation Creek average. In a streamside nutrient enrichment experiment, nitrate and phosphate concentrations in one trough were increased to twice the normal Carnation Creek values present in the control. In 35 days the nutrient-enriched trough had a total algal volume 3 times that of the control. It is suggested that extremely low nutrient concentrations (especially phosphate), and secondarily, poor light conditions under the canopy, are responsible for the paucity of algal growth in Carnation Creek. Major loss of algae from the system is caused by periodic freshets which scour the stream bed. Losses by grazing herbivorous insects were considered negligible. Dominant diatoms in Carnation Creek were Achnanthes minutissima, Synedra ulna, Hannaea arcus, Diatoma hiemale, and Eunotia pectinalis. Ulothrix sp., Draparnaldia sp., and Mougeotia sp. were the dominant filamentous green algae. Net production and algal biomass (chlorophyll a) in Carnation Creek are among the lowest ever reported in the literature.

The Contribution of Agricultural Loading to Eutrophication in Finnish Lakes

1985 ◽  
Vol 17 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 1133-1140 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Kauppi
Keyword(s):  
Algal Growth ◽  
Industrial Effluents ◽  
Agricultural Runoff ◽  
Total Surface Area ◽  
Ionic Concentration ◽  
Phosphorus Loading ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Nineteen Seventies ◽  
Spring Maximum

Agriculture accounts for 9 per cent of the total surface area of Finland and generates the greatest single nutrient input to Finnish watercourses. Since agricultural activity is scattered throughout the whole country its effects in lakes are less pronounced than those of domestic and industrial effluents. On the other hand, point source phosphorus loading of lakes and rivers decreased significantly during the nineteen-seventies. Phosphorus is the nutrient which primarily limits production in most Finnish lakes. The availability of phosphorus in agricultural runoff waters is therefore a crucial question in the evaluation of the eutrophicating effects of agriculture. Our results indicated that in runoff waters available phosphorus can be 60-70 per cent of the total phosphorus. However, the concentrations of available P were so low that they could be achieved in Finnish lakes of low ionic concentration through simple chemical desorption without the assistance of the algal uptake. The utilization of the spring maximum of runoff phosphorus in lakes would thus not depend on the concurrence of the maxima of loading and algal growth.

Experimental manipulations of the biomass of introduced carp (Cyprinus carpio) in billabongs. II. Impacts on benthic properties and processes1

1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 445 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. I. Robertson ◽  
M. R. Healey ◽  
A. J. King
Keyword(s):  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Sediment Oxygen Demand ◽  
Sediment Surface ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Nutrient Ratios ◽  
Biofilm Development ◽  
The Impact

Two billabongs on the floodplain of the Murrumbidgee River, Australia, were partitioned in half with impermeable plastic barriers and the biomass of carp was manipulated to establish high- and low-carp biomass treatments in each billabong. Measurements of benthic variables (rates of particle settlement, biofilm development, sediment respiration, macrophyte detritus decomposition, sediment solid-phase nutrient concentrations and benthic algal biomass) were performed over four months from summer to winter 1995. Rates of particle settlement were greater in the high-carp treatment of each billabong throughout the experiment. High carp biomass had a negative impact on the autotrophic component of the biofilm developing on wood blocks placed at different heights above the sediment surface but the mechanism responsible differed between billabongs. Sediment oxygen demand became greater in the presence of a higher biomass of carp during the experiment but time courses differed between billabongs. Manipulations of carp biomass did not influence algal biomass on the sediment surface, the rate of decomposition of macrophyte detritus or sediment solid-phase nutrients or nutrient ratios. The impact of carp on benthic and surficial processes was significant but the mechanisms of change differed between billabongs.

Responses of Epilithic Algae to Regulation of Rocky Mountain Streams

1987 ◽  
pp. 383-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Dufford ◽  
H. J. Zimmermann ◽  
L. D. Cline ◽  
J. V. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Mountain Streams ◽  
Epilithic Algae ◽  
Rocky Mountain Streams

scholarly journals Spatial pattern of riparian plants along stream order among mountain rivers in China

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 322-330
Author(s):  
Rong Sun ◽  
Xiaojie Luo ◽  
Xiangyu Meng ◽  
Yan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Riparian Vegetation ◽  
Stream Order ◽  
River Continuum ◽  
Riparian Plants ◽  
Tree Species Richness ◽  
Riparian Species ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract The streams in a watershed form a hierarchical network system. From the perspective of the river continuum, this classification system is the result of gradual increase in traffic. This study analyzed the riparian species richness, diversity and environmental factors along a six-order hierarchical mountain river in the Donghe watershed, China. A total of 34 sampling sites were sampled to study the spatial distribution of riparian plants among different stream orders. The results showed: Environmental factors among stream orders had significant differences. Among stream order, species richness showed remarkable differences. The species richness rose firstly and dropped afterwards except for tree species richness; tree species richness decreased while stream order increased. The same is true for shrub quadrat species richness. Shannon-Wiener diversity, Simpson dominance and Pielou uniformity showed significant difference among stream orders; Shannon-Wiener diversity rose firstly then dropped afterwards. For integrated environmental factors and community characteristics, we found the changes of stream orders had a significant impact on riparian habitats and riparian vegetation. Further analysis showed that riparian vegetation experienced different types and degrees of disturbance in different stream orders. This meant that a hierarchical management strategy should be applied to riparian vegetation management.

scholarly journals Environmental Factors Associated With Loa loa Microfilaria Prevalence and Intensity in Diverse Bioecological Zones of Cameroon

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xavier Badia-Rius ◽  
Hannah Betts ◽  
Samuel Wanji ◽  
David Molyneux ◽  
Mark J. Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Polynomial Regression ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Nonparametric Tests ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Loa Loa ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Tree Canopy Cover

Loiasis (African Eye Worm) is a filarial infection caused by Loa loa and transmitted by Chrysops vectors, which are confined to the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa. Loiasis is a major impediment to control and elimination programmes that use the drug ivermectin due to the risk of serious adverse events. There is an urgent need to better refine and map high-risk communities. This study aimed to quantify and predict environmental factors associated with loiasis across five bioecological zones in Cameroon. The L. loa microfilaria (mf) prevalence (%) and intensity (mf number/ml) data from 42 villages within an Equatorial Rainforest and Savannah region were examined in relation to climate, topographic and forest-related data derived from satellite remote sensing sources. Differences between zones and regions were examined using nonparametric tests, and the relationship between L. loa mf prevalence, mf intensity, and the environmental factors using polynomial regression models. Overall, the L. loa mf prevalence was 11.6%, L. loa intensity 927.4 mf/ml, mean annual temperature 23.7°C, annual precipitation 2143.2 mm, elevation 790 m, tree canopy cover 46.7%, and canopy height 19.3m. Significant differences between the Equatorial Rainforest and Savannah region were found. Within the Equatorial Rainforest region, no significant differences were found. However, within the Savannah region, significant differences between the three bioecological zones were found, and the regression models indicated that tree canopy cover and elevation were significant predictors, explaining 85.1% of the L. loa mf prevalence (adjusted R2 = 0.851; p<0.001) and tree cover alone was significant, explaining 58.1% of the mf intensity (adjusted R2 = 0.581; p<0.001). The study highlights that environmental analysis can help delineate risk at different geographical scales, which may be practical for developing larger scale operational plans for mapping and implementing safe effective interventions.

Study on Dynamic Changes of Soil Erosion in the North and South Mountains of Lanzhou

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Zhang ◽  
Jinping Lei ◽  
Cungang Xu ◽  
Yuxin Yin
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Water Area ◽  
Vegetation Coverage ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
The North ◽  
Joint Influence ◽  
Bare Land ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
North And South

Abstract This study takes the north and south mountains of Lanzhou as the study area, calculates the soil erosion modulus of the north and south mountains of Lanzhou based on the five major soil erosion factors in the RUSLE model and analyzes the temporal and spatial dynamic changes of soil erosion and the characteristics of soil erosion under different environmental factors. The results show that the soil erosion intensity of the north and south mountains of Lanzhou is mainly micro erosion in 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2018. They are distributed in the northwest and southeast of the north and south mountains. Under different environmental factors, the soil erosion modulus first increased and then decreased with the increase of altitude; the soil erosion modulus increased with the increase of slope; the average soil erosion modulus of grassland and woodland was larger, and the average soil erosion modulus of water area was the smallest; except for bare land, the average soil erosion modulus decreased with the increase of vegetation coverage. The soil erosion modulus in the greening range is lower than that outside the greening scope, mainly the result of the joint influence of precipitation, soil and vegetation.

Comparing environmental and socioeconomic drivers of illegal capture of wild birds in Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-51
Author(s):  
Guilherme Fernando Gomes Destro ◽  
Paulo De Marco ◽  
Levi Carina Terribile
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Multidisciplinary Approach ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Vegetation Coverage ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Socioeconomic Drivers ◽  
Multivariate Modelling ◽  
Source Countries ◽  
Modelling Approach

SummaryIn order to conserve species exploited by trafficking, governmental actions should be directed to source areas, aiming to reduce or eliminate illegal and indiscriminate trapping. However, few studies have diagnosed and prioritized the most relevant drivers of the illegal capture of wild animals. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the main drivers of the illegal capture of wild birds in Brazil. A literature review and a multivariate modelling approach indicated the economic, social and environmental factors that display the greatest influence in boosting this illicit activity worldwide. Our search revealed seven drivers of illegal wildlife capture addressed by researchers in studies carried out in source countries. This is the first broad-scale study in Brazil showing that higher native vegetation coverage and greater proximity to protected areas were the main drivers of illegal wild bird capture for trafficking. Thus, actions that aim to protect species threatened by trafficking require a multidisciplinary approach encompassing social, economic and environmental factors.

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