Leaf decomposition and ecosystem metabolism as functional indicators of land use impacts on tropical streams

Silva-Júnior, Eduardo F.; Moulton, Timothy P.; Boëchat, Iola G.; Gücker, Björn

doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2013.07.027

Cited by 76 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 85 publications

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“…Variations between hydrological periods result from differences in precipitation, which is very important in the Amazon, as it influences structural and functional aspects of ecosystems, notably bodies of water [24,30,39,40]. Therefore, changes in stream structural dynamics between hydrological periods due to riparian deforestation can compromise habitat availability for aquatic biota [28,41] as well as habitat function [42]. The heterogeneity of the physical habitat of streams, as well as the structural complexity, promote and maintain biological diversity [35], and are necessary for maintaining the diversity and integrity of ecosystem processes [6].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Riparian Deforestation Affects the Structural Dynamics of Headwater Streams in Southern Brazilian Amazonia

Bleich

André

Piedade

2014

Tropical Conservation Science

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Comparative studies of streams with altered versus conserved riparian zones are important to evaluate the degree of alterations caused by inappropriate use of these streams' vital buffer zones. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of riparian deforestation on the habitat structure of southern Brazilian Amazonian headwater streams, as well as to provide elements for impact assessment and the monitoring of these water bodies. We selected ten sites and two headwater streams at each site; one stream was located in an area with preserved riparian vegetation (pristine streams) and the other stream in a deforested riparian zone (altered streams). Stretches of these streams were analyzed across hydrological periods (dry period, beginning of the rainy period, and end of the rainy period) for hydromorphological aspects, water physical-chemical variables, and habitat integrity (proportion of forestation in buffer zones and habitat integrity index). Compared to pristine streams in all the hydrological periods analyzed, altered streams presented lower oxygen concentration (~1.0 mg/L), an increase of 1 o C in water temperature, and less organic material availability. We found that riparian deforestation affects habitat structure variability among hydrological periods, making them more homogeneous. Therefore, beyond the necessary broadening of the spatial scale of studies in this region, monitoring these understudied headwater stream environments is also crucial for determining the magnitude of deforestation effects on these vulnerable aquatic ecosystems.Key-words: riparian zone; environmental impact; lotic ecosystems; temporal variation; water physical-chemical conditions ResumoEstudos comparativos entre riachos com zona ripária alterada e conservada são importantes para avaliar o grau de alteração provocado pelo uso indevido desta zona tampão vital aos corpos de água. Logo, o objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o impacto do desmatamento da florestal ripária sobre a estrutura do habitat de riachos de cabeceira no sul da Amazônia, e fornecer elementos para avaliação de impacto e monitoramento desses corpos de água. Nós selecionamos 10 locais e em cada local 2 riachos, sendo um riacho localizado em área com floresta ripária preservada (riachos pristinos) e outro riacho com a floresta ripária desmatada (riachos alterados). Trechos destes riachos foram analisados durante 3 períodos hidrológicos (período de seca, enchente e vazante) para a caracterização de aspectos hidromorfologicos, variáveis físico-químicas e de controle para a integridade do habitat (proporção de floresta em área ripária e índice de integridade do habitat). Em relação aos riachos íntegros, em todos os períodos hidrológicos avaliados, os riachos alterados apresentaram menor concentração de oxigênio (~ 1,0 mg/L), aumento de 1 o C na temperatura da água e menor disponibilidade de material orgânico alóctone. Nós detectamos que o desmatamento da floresta ripária afeta a variabilidade na estrutura do habitat entre os períodos hidrológicos, torn...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Riparian Deforestation Affects the Structural Dynamics of Headwater Streams in Southern Brazilian Amazonia

Bleich

André

Piedade

2014

Tropical Conservation Science

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“…For example, land use change in a tropical watershed could change the decomposition rate of organic matter in tropical rivers [34].…”

Section: Tropical Forests -The Challenges Of Maintaining Ecosystem Sementioning

confidence: 99%

Introductory Chapter: Land Use Change Ecosystem Services and Tropical Forests

Chang¹,

Blanco²,

Lo³

2016

Tropical Forests - The Challenges of Maintaining Ecosystem Services While Managing the Landscape

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“…We performed a land cover characterization of the entire river basin adopting supervised classification techniques (Silva-Junior et al, 2014). Thereby, 16 land use categories were distinguished (listed at the end of this paragraph).…”

Section: Land Covermentioning

confidence: 99%

Untitled

2013

Rev. Ambient. Água

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Leaf decomposition and ecosystem metabolism as functional indicators of land use impacts on tropical streams

Cited by 76 publications

References 85 publications

Riparian Deforestation Affects the Structural Dynamics of Headwater Streams in Southern Brazilian Amazonia

Riparian Deforestation Affects the Structural Dynamics of Headwater Streams in Southern Brazilian Amazonia

Introductory Chapter: Land Use Change Ecosystem Services and Tropical Forests

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