Aquatic vegetation mediates the relationship between hydrologic connectivity and water quality in a managed floodplain

Kaller, Michael D.; Keim, Richard F.; Edwards, Brandon L.; Harlan, A. Raynie; Pasco, Tiffany E.; Kelso, William E.; Rutherford, D. Allen

doi:10.1007/s10750-015-2300-7

Cited by 20 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Similarly, low oxygen concentrations were found on the floodplains in the Paraguay River Basin (Hamilton et al 1995). The Atchafalaya River, a tributary of the Mississippi, experiences low dissolved oxygen concentrations along one of its floodplain areas during receding water levels (Kaller et al 2015). Higher respiration rates in floodplain areas and decreasing oxygen concentrations in the downstream direction were also found in the Macquarie River in Australia (Kobayashi et al 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Hysteresis effects in organic matter turnover in a tropical floodplain during a flood cycle

2016

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Tropical inland waters are increasingly recognized for their role in the global carbon cycle, but uncertainty about the effects of such systems on the transported organic matter remains. The seasonal interactions between river, floodplain, and vegetation result in highly dynamic systems, which can exhibit markedly different biogeochemical patterns throughout a flood cycle. In this study, we determined rates and governing processes of organic matter turnover. Multi-probes in the Barotse Plains, a pristine floodplain in the Upper Zambezi River (Zambia), provided a high-resolution data set over the course of a hydrological cycle. The concentrations of oxygen, carbon dioxide, dissolved organic carbon, and suspended particulate matter in the main channel showed clear hysteresis trends with expanding and receding water on the floodplain. Lower oxygen and suspended matter concentrations prevailed at longer travel times of water in the floodplain, while carbon dioxide and dissolved organic carbon concentrations were higher when the water spent more time on the floodplain. Maxima of particulate loads occurred before highest water levels, whereas the maximum in dissolved organic carbon load occurred during the transition of flooding and flood recession. Degradation of terrestrial organic matter occurred mainly on the floodplain at increased floodplain residence times. Our data suggest that floodplains become more intense hotspots at prolonged travel time of the flood pulse over the floodplain.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Hysteresis effects in organic matter turnover in a tropical floodplain during a flood cycle

2016

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“…Examples of wetland research indicate that it remains challenging to quantify some components of the water balance (Bijoor et al, 2011), since only a few studies have investigated the groundwater contribution (Hunt et al, 1998). The significance of groundwater in maintaining the swamp ecosystem function has been discussed in the literature (Chang et al, 2009;Kaller et al, 2015). In Australia, swamp studies have evaluated geomorphology (Fryirs et al, 2016;Cowley et al, 2016), management (Kohlhagen et al, 2013), the relationship between vegetation and groundwater (Hose et al, 2014), processes that result in denudation and sedimentation in the headwaters of the swamps (Prosser et al, 1994), natural and anthropogenic vegetation change in swamps (Bickford and Gell, 2005) and the impact of mining subsidence (CoA, 2014b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of the pore water stable isotope method and hydrogeological approaches to characterise a wetland system

David

Timms

Hughes

et al. 2018

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. Three naturally intact wetland systems (swamps) were characterised based on sediment cores, analysis of surface water, swamp groundwater, regional groundwater and pore water stable isotopes. These swamps are classified as temperate highland peat swamps on sandstone (THPSS) and in Australia they are listed as threatened endangered ecological communities under state and federal legislation. This study applies the stable isotope direct vapour equilibration method in a wetland, aiming at quantification of the contributions of evaporation, rainfall and groundwater to swamp water balance. This technique potentially enables understanding of the depth of evaporative losses and the relative importance of groundwater flow within the swamp environment without the need for intrusive piezometer installation at multiple locations and depths. Additional advantages of the stable isotope direct vapour equilibration technique include detailed spatial and vertical depth profiles of δ18O and δ2H, with good accuracy comparable to other physical and chemical extraction methods. Depletion of δ18O and δ2H in pore water with increasing depth (to around 40–60 cm depth) was observed in two swamps but remained uniform with depth in the third swamp. Within the upper surficial zone, the measurements respond to seasonal trends and are subject to evaporation in the capillary zone. Below this depth the pore water δ18O and δ2H signature approaches that of regional groundwater, indicating lateral groundwater contribution. Significant differences were found in stable pore water isotope samples collected after the dry weather period compared to wet periods where recharge of depleted rainfall (with low δ18O and δ2H values) was apparent. The organic-rich soil in the upper 40 to 60 cm retains significant saturation following precipitation events and maintains moisture necessary for ecosystem functioning. An important finding for wetland and ecosystem response to changing swamp groundwater conditions (and potential ground movement) is that basal sands are observed to underlay these swamps, allowing relatively rapid drainage at the base of the swamp and lateral groundwater contribution. Based on the novel stable isotope direct vapour equilibration analysis of swamp sediment, our study identified the following important processes: rapid infiltration of rainfall to the water table with longer retention of moisture in the upper 40–60 cm and lateral groundwater flow contribution at the base. This study also found that evaporation estimated using the stable isotope direct vapour equilibration method is more realistic compared to reference evapotranspiration (ET). Importantly, if swamp discharge data were available in combination with pore water isotope profiles, an appropriate transpiration rate could be determined for these swamps. Based on the results, the groundwater contribution to the swamp is a significant and perhaps dominant component of the water balance. Our methods could complement other monitoring studies and numerical water balance models to improve prediction of the hydrological response of the swamp to changes in water conditions due to natural or anthropogenic influences.

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“…The Henderson WMU is located west of the Atchafalaya River and receives river water through flow control structures and agricultural drainage. Flow enters the Henderson WMU from the Courtableau control structure in the north, as well as from backflow from and drainage into the Atchafalaya River through a southern control structure (Kaller et al 2015). Sample sites were located within permanently flooded floodplains, canals, or natural bayous within the Henderson WMU and were characterized by their dominant structural habitat based on the abundance of aquatic vegetation and large woody debris.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of Continuous versus Point Electrofishing for Fish Assemblage Assessment in Shallow, Turbid Aquatic Habitats

Trumbo

Kaller²,

Harlan³

et al. 2016

N American J Fish Manag

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We evaluated the relative effectiveness of continuous versus point electrofishing methods for describing fish assemblage metrics in the lower Atchafalaya River Floodway system, Louisiana. Continuous data were collected by boat electrofishing opposing shores of a 100‐m reach for a total of 480 s. Point data were collected in an adjacent 100‐m reach by boat electrofishing for 60 s at four points (240 s total) at 25‐m intervals on alternating shorelines. We tested for significant differences between the methods with a linear model for species richness and CPUE (fish/min) and a generalized linear model for species diversity. We also compared the length frequencies of Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides between methods. We found no difference in diversity between methods but significantly higher species richness (mean = 1.46 species) and significantly lower CPUE (mean = −24.63 fish/min) for continuous electrofishing. We found no difference in Largemouth Bass length frequency between methods, but point electrofishing captured more individuals between 300 and 400 mm. Our results indicate that point electrofishing may be an efficient, effective technique for capturing target species and larger individuals that may otherwise avoid capture. When coupled with continuous electrofishing, point electrofishing may bolster assemblage and population size structure data, particularly in shallow, turbid environments. Received July 9, 2014; accepted December 8, 2015 Published online March 31, 2016

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Aquatic vegetation mediates the relationship between hydrologic connectivity and water quality in a managed floodplain

Cited by 20 publications

References 45 publications

Hysteresis effects in organic matter turnover in a tropical floodplain during a flood cycle

Hysteresis effects in organic matter turnover in a tropical floodplain during a flood cycle

Application of the pore water stable isotope method and hydrogeological approaches to characterise a wetland system

Effectiveness of Continuous versus Point Electrofishing for Fish Assemblage Assessment in Shallow, Turbid Aquatic Habitats

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