Long-Term Dynamics of Coarse Particulate Organic Matter in Three Appalachian Mountain Streams

1995 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Bruce Wallace ◽  
Matt R. Whiles ◽  
Sue Eggert ◽  
T. F. Cuffney ◽  
G. J. Lugthart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Mountain Streams ◽  
Coarse Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Appalachian Mountain

scholarly journals The role of log jams and exceptional flood events in mobilizing coarse particulate organic matter in a steep headwater stream

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Jochner ◽  
J. M. Turowski ◽  
A. Badoux ◽  
M. Stoffel ◽  
C. Rickli
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Headwater Stream ◽  
Mountain Streams ◽  
Flood Events ◽  
Coarse Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Sediment Transport Capacity ◽  
End Member Model

Abstract. Coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) fulfills important functions in the physical and ecological system of a stream. CPOM delivery to and export from the stream has implications for the stream's morphology and sediment transport capacity as well as the energy budget and food availability. Export rates of CPOM from mountain catchments have been observed to strongly increase with rising discharge, but the mechanism leading to this strong relationship is unclear. Here, we show that log jams in the Erlenbach, a steep headwater stream in the Swiss Prealps, are an effective barrier for the transport of CPOM pieces, and thus become sites of storage of large quantities of material over time. Exceptional discharge events with return periods exceeding 20 years play a dual role in CPOM transport in the Erlenbach. First, they appear to destroy existing log jams, releasing the stored material (wood and sediment). Second, they intensify channel–hillslope coupling, thereby recruiting new logs to the channel, around which new jams can form. This allows for the formulation of a new, fully episodic end-member in a four-end-member model of CPOM dynamics of steep mountain streams based on wood delivery and export.

Long-term dynamics of organic matter and elements exported as coarse particulates from two Caribbean montane watersheds

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Heartsill Scalley ◽  
F. N. Scatena ◽  
S. Moya ◽  
A. E. Lugo
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Headwater Streams ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Base Flow ◽  
Coarse Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
North East ◽  
Storm Flow ◽  
Before And After

Abstract:In heterotrophic streams the retention and export of coarse particulate organic matter and associated elements are fundamental biogeochemical processes that influence water quality, food webs and the structural complexity of forested headwater streams. Nevertheless, few studies have documented the quantity and quality of exported organic matter over multiple years and under a range of conditions that includes both droughts and hurricanes. This study quantifies the export of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM, > 12.7 mm), over 18 y in two headwater streams in north-east Puerto Rico. Daily exports ranged from 0 to over 170 g ha−1 d−1 and averaged 7.39 g ha−1 d−1, with similar amounts coming from leaves (3.5 g ha−1 d−1) and wood (3.2 g ha−1 d−1). Export of coarse particulate organic carbon was 3.0 g ha−1 d−1 which constitutes only 1.32% of carbon exports. Most litter falling into the streams was processed in place as only 2.3% of the leaf litter falling directly into these perennial channels was exported as CPOM. On average, 6 wk y−1 had no exports while events transporting more than 10 g ha−1 d−1 occurred every 2.8 mo. Instead of a single annual pulse as observed in deciduous systems, there were annual peaks in CPOM exports during May and September and less export during the drier period from December to February. Ratios of C:N in the exported material were highest in the driest month and lowest during rainy months, while leaf fluxes for nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium were highest in rainy months and lowest during February. Although median daily exports and exports during low- and base-flow periods were similar before and after Hugo, after 16 y exports during moderate- and high-flow periods were still less than those in the 2 y prior to the hurricane. Our observations indicate a system with high rates of internal processing that quickly returns to median daily conditions following hurricanes but requires several decades for storm-flow exports to return to pre-disturbance conditions and indicates that the long-term pattern of CPOM export is associated with the level of maturity of watershed vegetation.

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.

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