Forest clearance increases metabolism and organic matter processes in small headwater streams

Small headwater streams are abundant components of the riverine landscape where critical biochemical processes occur that provide clean water, energy, and nutrients to downstream reaches. Disturbance to these systems as a result of human land use has the potential to affect downstream health. Rates...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the North American Benthological Society 2010-06, Vol.29 (2), p.546-561
Main Authors: Clapcott, Joanne E, Barmuta, Leon A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
benthic metabolism
cellulose decomposition potential
chlorophyll a
dispersion
disturbance
Forest habitats
Forest management
Forestry
Geology
Granite
Headwaters
Riparian forests
robust means
s
scale
sediment respiration
Sediments
Stream habitats
Stream metabolism
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Summary:Small headwater streams are abundant components of the riverine landscape where critical biochemical processes occur that provide clean water, energy, and nutrients to downstream reaches. Disturbance to these systems as a result of human land use has the potential to affect downstream health. Rates of metabolism and organic matter processing were measured in 22 small forested headwater streams in 2 regions of Tasmania, Australia, to evaluate the effects of forestry disturbance. Twelve of these streams had been subjected to recent clearfell-burn-and-sow (CBS) harvest. Benthic metabolism was measured in small in situ chambers (production ranged from
ISSN:0887-3593
1937-237X
DOI:10.1899/09-040.1