Benthic algal response to hyporheic-surface water exchange in an alluvial river

Wyatt, Kevin H.; Hauer, F. Richard; Pessoney, George F.

doi:10.1007/s10750-008-9385-1

Cited by 25 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Similar feedbacks between processes could occur with communities of benthic periphyton, which are showed to respond to spatial variations of ground-and surface-water interactions (e.g. Pepin and Hauer, 2002;Wyatt et al, 2008), probably in relation to the supply of nutrients of subsurface origin to the ecosystem. As shown by Ibisch et al (2009), an external colmation of the riverbed by these communities can affect infiltration of stream water in the riverbed and associated water mixing and biogeochemical processes; this feedback is nevertheless temporally highly variable, with storm events and seasonal conditions controlling the development and removal of communities of benthic periphyton and the subsequent effect of exchange processes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Linking environmental régimes, space and time: Interpretations of structural and functional connectivity

et al. 2011

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Linking environmental régimes, space and time: Interpretations of structural and functional connectivity

et al. 2011

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“…A New Zealand study found a reduction in the same three orders ('EPT') and a shift to predominance of crustaceans, other insect orders and worms (Larned et al, 2007); in general there was an increase in invertebrate abundance and diversity. In apparent contrast to this, Pepin & Hauer (2002) found no difference in mean EPT density between upwelling and downwelling sites on the Flathead River, Montana, although a study by Wyatt et al (2008) reported that D. geminata was associated with downwelling sites in the same river (see above). However, Pepin and Hauer did find species-specific responses to differential hyporheic exchange, which were correlated with differences in algal biomass and vertical hydraulic gradient.…”

Section: Biotic Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…A study of the effects of hyporheic-surface water exchange on benthic algal communities in an alluvial stretch of the Middle Fork of Flathead River, Montana, showed significant differences between upwelling versus downwelling and neutral exchanges sites (Wyatt et al, 2008). While Stigeoclonium sp., Zygnema sp.…”

Section: Flow and Current Speedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Achnanthidium minutissimum in particular has been a frequent stalk epiphyte at almost all D. geminata sites in the British Isles sampled in summer (unpublished data). A. minutissimum, Cymbella excisa, Gomphonema olivaceoides and Diatoma moniliformis occurred attached to or in close association with stalks of Didymosphenia geminata in the Flathead River, Montana (Wyatt et al, 2008). Epiphytic Hannaea arcus growing in colonies of Didymosphenia geminata in streams of the Swedish arctic released cells into the water (drift) around mid-day, except for winter when it occurred at other times of day (Round, 1984).…”

Section: Biotic Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biology of the freshwater diatom Didymosphenia: a review

2009

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Features of the colonial diatom Didymosphenia are reviewed, especially D. geminata. Although there is a long record of its occurrence in north temperate regions, mass growths have been reported much more widely in recent years. Contrary to some statements in the literature, there are also reliable older records for the southern hemisphere, though the first report of mass growth was in New Zealand in 2004. The annual cycle of morphological changes in D. geminata in northern England, and probably elsewhere, includes a winter period when motile cells are attached to the substratum followed by spring when stalks start to develop. These raise cells into the water column and provide a site for phosphatase activity. Environmental factors associated with success include absence of extreme floods, high light, pH above neutral and nutrient chemistry. D. geminata often, but not always, occurs in waters where the N:P ratio is high for much of the year, but the key factor is the ratio of organic to inorganic phosphate. D. geminata thrives where organic P is predominant and the overall P concentration is low enough for organic P to be an important P source. It is unknown whether organic N can be used. Environmental changes increasing the relative importance of organic P are likely to favour D. geminata. Likely examples are increased N:P due to atmospheric N deposition and changes in form and seasonality of P release from organic-rich soils due to climatic warming. The nutrient chemistry of deep water released from dams to rivers also needs investigation. To what extent are genetic changes occurring in response to environmental changes and are new ecotypes spreading round the world? In spite of many adverse reports about D. geminata, such as detached mats blocking water pipes, there is still doubt about the extent to which it causes problems, particularly for fish. There have been few adverse effects on migratory salmonids in Europe and North America, but at least one report of harm to a brown trout population in USA. In New Zealand, it has caused serious problems for water sports, although it remains open to question how much adverse effect it has had on fish populations. If the presence of microcystins in or associated with D. geminata, as indicated recently for two populations, proves to be widespread and at sufficiently high concentration, their possible accumulation in fish requires study. Where control is required, this could Handling editor: Pierluigi Viaroli be achieved by enhancing the ratio of inorganic to organic phosphate in the water early in the growth season. Practical ways to achieve this are suggested.

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“…Despite diminished interaction with the main channel as a result of channel migration and patch succession (Lorang and Hauer 2006), orthofluvial spring brooks appear to maintain strong interaction with the alluvial aquifer as reflected in widespread upwelling along their lengths. Vertical exchange with the alluvial aquifer can influence periphyton accrual and biomass at reach (Valett et al 1994) and floodplain (Stanford and Ward 1993, Pepin and Hauer 2002, Wyatt et al 2008) scales, suggesting a potential role for local groundwater subsidies in alleviating nutrient limitation. Upwelling in the stream channel and greater N availability in ground water of most spring brooks, especially in passive orthofluvial zones, further supports this potential.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial drivers of ecosystem structure and function in a floodplain riverscape: springbrook nutrient dynamics

Caldwell

Peipoch²,

Valett

2015

Freshwater Science

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On riverine flood plains, reorganization by fluvial processes creates and maintains a mosaic of aquatic and riparian landscape elements across a biophysical gradient of disturbance and succession. Across flood plains of gravel-bottom rivers, spring brooks emerge from points of groundwater discharge that may occur in distinct landscape positions. We investigated how ecosystem processes in spring brooks differ spatially across biophysical zones, reflecting how landscape position dictates severity of flood disturbance, allochthonous loading from riparian forests, and inputs from groundwater systems. Between July and October 2011, we quantified aspects of ecosystem structure and function among 6 spring brooks of the Nyack flood plain, Flathead River, Montana. Structural features varied predictably across near-channel (i.e., parafluvial) and late successional (i.e., orthofluvial) biophysical zones. Large wood standing stocks increased >40× (0.19-9.19 kg/m 2 ), dominant particle size class differed by an order of magnitude (median particle size [D 50 ] = 2-27), and measures of vertical hydraulic gradient (-0.06 to +0.12 cm/cm) reflected differences in landscape position. We found fine sediment accumulation, stronger groundwater inputs, and greater benthic and large wood standing stocks in orthofluvial than in parafluvial spring brooks. Algal biomass was negatively correlated with insolation and positively related to vertical hydraulic gradient. Results from microcosm experiments showed increasing N uptake across the gradient from parafluvial to orthofluvial spring brooks. Functional response to landscape-scale organization of springbrook structure underscores the need for a spatially explicit model of floodplain ecology.

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Benthic algal response to hyporheic-surface water exchange in an alluvial river

Cited by 25 publications

References 41 publications

Linking environmental régimes, space and time: Interpretations of structural and functional connectivity

Linking environmental régimes, space and time: Interpretations of structural and functional connectivity

Biology of the freshwater diatom Didymosphenia: a review

Spatial drivers of ecosystem structure and function in a floodplain riverscape: springbrook nutrient dynamics

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