DOCSLIB.ORG

Thermokarst and Wildfire

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Thermokarst and Wildfire University of Vermont ScholarWorks @ UVM Graduate College Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses 2015 Thermokarst And Wildfire: Effects Of Disturbances Related To Climate Change On The Ecological Characteristics And Functions Of Arctic Headwater Streams Julia Rose Larouche University of Vermont Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis Part of the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons Recommended Citation Larouche, Julia Rose, "Thermokarst And Wildfire: Effects Of Disturbances Related To Climate Change On The cE ological Characteristics And Functions Of Arctic Headwater Streams" (2015). Graduate College Dissertations and Theses. 520. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis/520 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations and Theses at ScholarWorks @ UVM. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate College Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ UVM. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THERMOKARST AND WILDFIRE: EFFECTS OF DISTURBANCES RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FUNCTIONS OF ARCTIC HEADWATER STREAMS A Dissertation Presented by Julia R. Larouche to The Faculty of the Graduate College of The University of Vermont In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Specializing in Natural Resources May, 2015 Defense Date: March 16, 2015 Dissertation Examination Committee: William B. Bowden, Ph.D., Advisor Shelly A. Rayback, Ph.D., Chairperson Beverley C. Wemple, Ph.D. Paul R. Bierman, Ph.D. Benjamin T. Crosby, Ph.D. Cynthia J. Forehand, Ph.D., Dean of the Graduate College ABSTRACT The Arctic is warming rapidly as a result of global climate change. Permafrost – permanently frozen ground – plays a critical role in shaping arctic ecosystems and stores nearly one half of the global soil organic matter. Therefore, disturbance of permafrost will likely impact the carbon and related biogeochemical processes on local and global scales. In the Alaskan Arctic, fire and thermokarst (permafrost thaw) have become more common and have been hypothesized to accelerate the hydrological export of inorganic nutrients and sediment, as well as biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC), which may alter ecosystem processes of impacted streams. The biogeochemical characteristics of two tundra streams were quantified several years after the development of gully thermokarst features. The observed responses in sediment and nutrient loading four years after gully formation were more subtle than expected, likely due to the stabilization of the features and the dynamics controlling the hydrologic connectivity between the gully and the stream. The response of impacted streams may depend on the presence of water tracks, particularly their location in reference to the thermokarst and downslope aquatic ecosystem. We found evidence of altered ecosystem structure (benthic standing stocks, algal biomass, and macroinvertebrate composition) and function (stream metabolism and nutrient uptake), which may be attributable to the previous years’ allochthonous gully inputs. The patterns between the reference and impacted reaches were different for both stream sites. Rates of ecosystem production and respiration and benthic chlorophyll-a in the impacted reaches of the alluvial and peat-lined streams were significantly lower and greater, respectively, compared to the reference reaches, even though minimal differences in sediment and nutrient loading were detected. Rates of ammonium and soluble reactive phosphorus uptake were consistently lower in the impacted reach at the alluvial site. The observed differences in metabolism, nutrient uptake and macroinvertebrate community composition suggest that even though the geochemical signal diminished, gully features may have long-lasting impacts on the biological aspects of downstream ecosystem function. In a separate study, a suite of streams impacted by thermokarst and fire were sampled seasonally and spatially. Regional differences in water chemistry and BDOC were more significant than the influences of fire or thermokarst, likely due to differences in glacial age and elevation of the landscape. The streams of the older (>700 ka), lower elevation landscape contained higher concentrations of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus and DOC and lower BDOC compared to the streams of the younger (50-200 ka) landscapes that had lower dissolved nutrient and DOC quantity of higher biodegradability. The findings in this dissertation indicate that arctic stream ecosystems are more resilient than we expected to small-scale, rapidly stabilizing gully thermokarst features and disturbance caused by fire. Scaling the results of these types of studies should consider the size of thermokarst features in relation to the size of impacted rivers and streams. It remains to be determined how general permafrost thaw will affect the structure and function of arctic streams in the future. CITATIONS Material from this dissertation has been submitted for publication to Journal of Geophysical Research Letters Biogeosciences on September 9, 2014 in the following form: Larouche, J.R., Bowden, W.B., Flinn, M.B., Kampman, J.R. Impacts of a thermo- erosional gully on ecosystem structure and function of an arctic alluvial tundra stream, North Slope, Alaska. Journal of Geophysical Research Letters Biogeosciences. Material from this dissertation has been submitted for publication to Journal of Biogeosciences on January 24, 2015 in the following form: Larouche, J.R., Abbott, B.W., Bowden, W.B., Jones, J.B. The role of watershed characteristics, permafrost thaw, and wildfire on dissolved organic carbon biodegradability and water chemistry in Arctic headwater streams. Journal of Biogeosciences. ii DEDICATION For Ted and Michael Leaf, each equally my love and joy. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Throughout this endeavor I have received support and encouragement from a great number of individuals. I would like to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to my advisor, Dr. William ‘Breck’ Bowden, for the mentorship and encouragement he provided me from my first trip to Alaska a decade ago, through to completion of this degree. His guidance has made this a thought-provoking and rewarding journey; his love for science and the field of arctic ecology is truly an inspiration to many. I would like to thank my committee members, Drs. Shelly Rayback, Beverley Wemple, Paul Bierman, and Benjamin Crosby, for their friendly guidance and valuable suggestions that each of them offered to me over the years. Dr. Michael Flinn provided much needed encouragement, statistical advice, not to mention the help he gave me wrangling a colossal salmon on a gravel bar of the Kelly River. I am indebted to my field assistants, Colin Penn and Pat Tobin, who were dedicated, industrious, comical, thoughtful individuals. Other wonderful people and colleagues who have helped in the field and in the laboratory: Josh Benes, Malcolm Herstand, Alan Howard, Lauren Koenig, Alea Tuttle, Elissa Schuett, Lisle Snyder, Joel Tilley, and Genna Waldvogel. I am truly fortunate to have worked with such a talented group of professors and graduate students with the ARCSS/TK team – Ben Abbott, Andrew Balser, Andres Baron, Sarah Godsey, and Jeff Kampman are now friends and colleagues. I thank the BWRL group, particularly Joe Bartlett and Joel Nipper, for the hydrological correspondence during and after my time in Vermont. Jason Stuckey, Randy Fulweber, and Jorge Noguera have provided valuable GIS analyses and mapping. I would iv like to acknowledge my funding source, the National Science Foundation, and the staff of the Toolik Field Station and National Park Service for logistical support. To my fellow academic goddesses: Courtney, Becky, Pooja, Morgan, and Val, and to the Ghouls and my Wombs, thank you for your love, perspectives, reassurance and friendships during and beyond this journey. Ashlie Dyer, an amazing individual who cared for my son in the early months of his life while I finished up writing. Lynne and Skip Auch were integral with their love and support in this last year. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge those who reside in my heart day in and day out. I thank my parents, Michael Larouche and Martha Sullivan, and sister, Renée D’Agata, for the constant love and for supporting my pursuits in life. Finally, to my husband, Ted Auch, whose endless love, devotion, nourishment, friendship and editing made it possible for me to complete this dissertation and to my little Michael Leaf, I look forward to our visit to the tundra together. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page CITATIONS .................................................................................................................. ii DEDICATION .............................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................ x CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND .................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Disturbance in
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Effects of Eutrophication on Stream Ecosystems
    EFFECTS OF EUTROPHICATION ON STREAM ECOSYSTEMS Lei Zheng, PhD and Michael J. Paul, PhD Tetra Tech, Inc. Abstract This paper describes the effects of nutrient enrichment on the structure and function of stream ecosystems. It starts with the currently well documented direct effects of nutrient enrichment on algal biomass and the resulting impacts on stream chemistry. The paper continues with an explanation of the less well documented indirect ecological effects of nutrient enrichment on stream structure and function, including effects of excess growth on physical habitat, and alterations to aquatic life community structure from the microbial assemblage to fish and mammals. The paper also dicusses effects on the ecosystem level including changes to productivity, respiration, decomposition, carbon and other geochemical cycles. The paper ends by discussing the significance of these direct and indirect effects of nutrient enrichment on designated uses - especially recreational, aquatic life, and drinking water. 2 1. Introduction 1.1 Stream processes Streams are all flowing natural waters, regardless of size. To understand the processes that influence the pattern and character of streams and reduce natural variation of different streams, several stream classification systems (including ecoregional, fluvial geomorphological, and stream order classification) have been adopted by state and national programs. Ecoregional classification is based on geology, soils, geomorphology, dominant land uses, and natural vegetation (Omernik 1987). Fluvial geomorphological classification explains stream and slope processes through the application of physical principles. Rosgen (1994) classified stream channels in the United States into seven major stream types based on morphological characteristics, including entrenchment, gradient, width/depth ratio, and sinuosity in various land forms.
    [Show full text]
  • Impact of Wildfire on Stream Nutrient Chemistry and Ecosystem Metabolism in Boreal Forest Catchments of Interior Alaska
    Impact of Wildfire on Stream Nutrient Chemistry and Ecosystem Metabolism in Boreal Forest Catchments of Interior Alaska Abstract With climatic warming, wildfire occurrence is increasing m the boreal forest of interior Alaska. Loss of catchment vegetation during fire can impact streams directly through altered solute and debris inputs and changed light and temperature regimes. Over longer time scales, fire can accelerate permafrost degradation, altering catchment hydrology and stream nutrient dynamics. In 2004, the 217,000 ha Boundary Fire burned 65% of an established study site in the Caribou-Poker Creeks Research Watershed. We used this opportunity to investigate the impact of wildfire on stream chemistry and metabolism in boreal forest catchments. Wildfire impacts on chemistry were evaluated by examining solute chemistry in four catchments from 2002 to 2007. Ecosystem metabolism was measured over the summer of 2005 in one burned and two unburned catchments. Wildfire led to stream nitrate concentration increasing up to threefold, whereas dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen concentrations decreased post-fire. Average stream gross primary production in the burned catchment was double that of the unburned sites (2.4 and -2 1.2 g O2 m day, respectively). Respiration rate was also elevated in the burned -2 -1 stream (6.6 g O2 m day ) compared with the control streams (l.2 and -2 -1 4.5 g O2 m day ). Climatic warming has the potential to impact boreal forest streams through permafrost thaw and increased fire frequency, leading to altered solute inputs and production and respiration rates. Introduction stream disch arge and hydrologic flowpaths through watersheds, In the boreal forest, wildfire is a widespread disturbance and thereby altering both the magnitude and timing of flows and fundamental in shaping forest structure, function, and succession- solute delivery to streams (Earl and Blinn, 2003; Petrone et al., al processes (Chapin et al., 2006).
    [Show full text]
  • EVALUATING the EFFECTS of CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRE on WATER QUALITY, WHOLE-STREAM METABOLISM and FISH COMMUNITIES Justin K
    University of New Mexico UNM Digital Repository Biology ETDs Electronic Theses and Dissertations Spring 4-12-2018 EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRE ON WATER QUALITY, WHOLE-STREAM METABOLISM AND FISH COMMUNITIES Justin K. Reale Biology Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/biol_etds Part of the Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons Recommended Citation Reale, Justin K.. "EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRE ON WATER QUALITY, WHOLE-STREAM METABOLISM AND FISH COMMUNITIES." (2018). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/biol_etds/265 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Electronic Theses and Dissertations at UNM Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Biology ETDs by an authorized administrator of UNM Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Justin K. Reale Candidate Biology Department This dissertation is approved, and it is acceptable in quality and form for publication: Approved by the Dissertation Committee: Dr. Clifford N. Dahm, Chairperson Dr. David J. Van Horn, Co-Chairperson Dr. Thomas F. Turner Dr. Ricardo González-Pinźon i EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRE ON WATER QUALITY, WHOLE-STREAM METABOLISM AND FISH COMMUNITIES BY JUSTIN KEVIN REALE B.S., University of New Mexico, 2009 M.S., University of New Mexico, 2016 DISSERTATION Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Biology The University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico May, 2018 ii ACKNOWLEGEMENTS I would like to express my gratitude to my co-advisors, Drs. Dahm and Van Horn, for their mentoring, teaching and support throughout my dissertation.
    [Show full text]
  • Spatial Heterogeneity and Controls of Ecosystem Metabolism in a Great Plains River Network
    Spatial heterogeneity and controls of ecosystem metabolism in a Great Plains river network Walter K. Dodds, Sophie A. Higgs, Margaret J. Spangler, James Guinnip, Jeffrey D. Scott, Skyler C. Hedden, Bryan D. Frenette, et al. Hydrobiologia The International Journal of Aquatic Sciences ISSN 0018-8158 Volume 813 Number 1 Hydrobiologia (2018) 813:85-102 DOI 10.1007/s10750-018-3516-0 1 23 Your article is protected by copyright and all rights are held exclusively by Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature. This e-offprint is for personal use only and shall not be self-archived in electronic repositories. If you wish to self-archive your article, please use the accepted manuscript version for posting on your own website. You may further deposit the accepted manuscript version in any repository, provided it is only made publicly available 12 months after official publication or later and provided acknowledgement is given to the original source of publication and a link is inserted to the published article on Springer's website. The link must be accompanied by the following text: "The final publication is available at link.springer.com”. 1 23 Author's personal copy Hydrobiologia (2018) 813:85–102 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-018-3516-0 PRIMARY RESEARCH PAPER Spatial heterogeneity and controls of ecosystem metabolism in a Great Plains river network Walter K. Dodds . Sophie A. Higgs . Margaret J. Spangler . James Guinnip . Jeffrey D. Scott . Skyler C. Hedden . Bryan D. Frenette . Ryland Taylor . Anne E. Schechner . David J. Hoeinghaus . Michelle A. Evans-White Received: 17 June 2017 / Revised: 14 December 2017 / Accepted: 11 January 2018 / Published online: 20 January 2018 Ó Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018 Abstract Gross primary production and ecosystem limitation, and was positively related to nutrients.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildfire Effects on Stream Metabolism: Aquatic Succession Is Mediated by Local Riparian Succession and Stream Geomorphology
    Wildfire effects on stream metabolism: Aquatic succession is mediated by local riparian succession and stream geomorphology Emily A. Davis A thesis Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science University of Washington 2015 Committee: Daniel Schindler Christian Torgersen Colden Baxter Charles Simenstad Program Authorized to Offer Degree: School of Aquatic and Fishery Science ©Copyright 2015 Emily A. Davis i University of Washington Wildfire effects on stream metabolism: Aquatic succession is mediated by local riparian succession and stream geomorphology Emily A. Davis Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Dr. Daniel Schindler School of Aquatic and Fishery Science Abstract As climate change shifts and intensifies fire regimes, it is important to understand stream ecosystem responses to fire. How stream metabolism responds remains largely unexplored. We investigated effects of fire severity and watershed geomorphology on stream ecosystem metabolism at multiple spatial scales in an Idaho wilderness watershed. We measured dissolved oxygen, temperature, and irradiance in 18 streams varying in fire history and watershed characteristics in order to model diel oxygen dynamics, from which we estimated rates of production (P) and respiration (R), then used P:R as an index of stream metabolic state. We found that post-fire riparian canopy recovery strongly influenced stream metabolic state. Severely burned streams with dense riparian regrowth were heterotrophic, whereas streams with less canopy recovery were autotrophic. Fire effects on stream metabolic state were highly mediated by watershed geomorphology, with the strongest long-term changes observed in low- order, narrow, steep streams. Effect sizes of fire and watershed geomorphology on stream metabolism changed from fine spatial scale (500-m riparian buffer) to coarse scale (watershed), and were strongest at fine scales.
    [Show full text]
  • Organic Matter Decomposition and Ecosystem Metabolism As Tools to Assess the Functional Integrity of Streams and Rivers–A Systematic Review
    water Review Organic Matter Decomposition and Ecosystem Metabolism as Tools to Assess the Functional Integrity of Streams and Rivers–A Systematic Review Verónica Ferreira 1,* , Arturo Elosegi 2 , Scott D. Tiegs 3 , Daniel von Schiller 4 and Roger Young 5 1 Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre–MARE, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000–456 Coimbra, Portugal 2 Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), P.O. Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain; [email protected] 3 Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA; [email protected] 4 Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institut de Recerca de l’Aigua (IdRA), University of Barcelona, Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; [email protected] 5 Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson 7042, New Zealand; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 4 November 2020; Accepted: 8 December 2020; Published: 15 December 2020 Abstract: Streams and rivers provide important services to humans, and therefore, their ecological integrity should be a societal goal. Although ecological integrity encompasses structural and functional integrity, stream bioassessment rarely considers ecosystem functioning. Organic matter decomposition and ecosystem metabolism are prime candidate indicators of stream functional integrity, and here we review each of these functions, the methods used for their determination, and their strengths and limitations for bioassessment. We also provide a systematic review of studies that have addressed organic matter decomposition (88 studies) and ecosystem metabolism (50 studies) for stream bioassessment since the year 2000. Most studies were conducted in temperate regions. Bioassessment based on organic matter decomposition mostly used leaf litter in coarse-mesh bags, but fine-mesh bags were also common, and cotton strips and wood were frequent in New Zealand.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report Vol. 40 (2017) Unlocking the Role of Beaver in State-Transition and Their Own Sustain- Ability in Yellowstone's
    Annual Report Vol. 40 (2017) Unlocking the role of beaver in state-transition and their own sustain- ability in Yellowstone’s northern range Marjorie L. Brooks Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL [email protected] Abstract Extirpation of wolves from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) in the 1920s hypothetically triggered a behaviorally-mediated trophic cascade in which elk (Cervus elaphus), released from the fear of wolf (Canis lupus) preda- tion, over-browsed riparian zones. Eventually, vast areas of meadow-wetland complexes transitioned to grass-lodgepole systems. The importance of beaver (Castor canadensis) in wetland losses has received less attention. Beaver aban- doned most of the GYE by the 1950s, possibly due to resource limitations. Researchers from Colorado State University established an experimental system for Long Term Environmental Research in Biology (LTREB) along several streams in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone sixteen years ago. To evaluate effects of hydrologic changes and elk browsing on productivity of willows (Salix spp.) and state transition, they built small experimental dams with browsing exclosures. In 2015, beaver began recolonizing the region. I am investigating how their biologic as well as hydrologic impacts affect the underlying mechanisms of state transition: nutrient cycling, productivity, and stream respiration. I posit that beaver are keystone species, meaning that the sustained recovery of wetland-meadow complexes is unlikely without the higher levels of riparian
    [Show full text]
  • Heterotrophic Metabolism in a Forest Stream Sediment: Surface Versus Subsurface Zones
    AQUATIC MICROBIAL ECOLOGY Vol. 16: 143-151, 1998 Published November 27 Aquat Microb Ecol Heterotrophic metabolism in a forest stream sediment: surface versus subsurface zones Anna M. Romani, Andrea Butturini, Francesc Sabater, Sergi Sabater* Departament d'Ecologia. Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avgda Diagonal 645. E-08028 Barcelona. Spain ABSTRACT: The heterotrophic metabolism of a forest stream sediment was studied during leaf fall, immediately after a flood that completely scoured and homogenized the first 10 to 12 cm of sediment. After this event, differences were found between the surface sediment (0 to 3 cm depth) and the sub- surface sediment (7 to 10 cm depth). Higher extracellular enzymatic and respiratory activities were measured in the surface than in the subsurface sediment. The higher heterotrophic activity was related to the higher quantity and quality of the organic matter, which accumulated in the surface sediment (higher chlorophyll and bacterial densities).The heterotrophic metabolism in the surface sediment fol- lowed a marked seasonal pattern that correlated with the variations in the environmental parameters (discharge, nutrients). However, no temporal pattern was observed in the subsurface sediment, less affected by the physical changes (e.g, scouring), where no significant change in any activity was recorded throughout the study period. There was a significant decrease in heterotrophic metabolism in the subsurface sediments. This difference can be attributed to the lower availability of algae-derived
    [Show full text]
  • Controls on Autotrophic Respiration, Heterotrophic Respiration, and Decomposition in Northern Forested Rivers
    Michigan Technological University Digital Commons @ Michigan Tech Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports 2021 CONTROLS ON AUTOTROPHIC RESPIRATION, HETEROTROPHIC RESPIRATION, AND DECOMPOSITION IN NORTHERN FORESTED RIVERS Renn Schipper Michigan Technological University, [email protected] Copyright 2021 Renn Schipper Recommended Citation Schipper, Renn, "CONTROLS ON AUTOTROPHIC RESPIRATION, HETEROTROPHIC RESPIRATION, AND DECOMPOSITION IN NORTHERN FORESTED RIVERS", Open Access Master's Thesis, Michigan Technological University, 2021. https://doi.org/10.37099/mtu.dc.etdr/1211 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/etdr Part of the Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons CONTROLS ON AUTOTROPHIC RESPIRATION, HETEROTROPHIC RESPIRATION, AND DECOMPOSITION IN NORTHERN FORESTED RIVERS By Renn Schipper A THESIS Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE In Biological Sciences MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY 2021 © 2021 Renn Schipper This thesis has been approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Biological Sciences. Department of Biological Sciences Thesis Advisor: Dr. Amy M. Marcarelli Committee Member: Dr. Casey J Huckins Committee Member: Dr. Rodney A. Chimner Department Chair: Dr. Chandrashekhar P. Joshi Table of Contents Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iv Abstract ................................................................................................................................v
    [Show full text]
  • The Metabolism of Aquatic Ecosystems: History, Applications, and Future Challenges
    Aquat Sci (2012) 74:15–29 DOI 10.1007/s00027-011-0199-2 Aquatic Sciences OVERVIEW The metabolism of aquatic ecosystems: history, applications, and future challenges Peter A. Staehr • Jeremy M. Testa • W. Michael Kemp • Jon J. Cole • Kaj Sand-Jensen • Stephen V. Smith Received: 18 June 2010 / Accepted: 15 March 2011 / Published online: 30 March 2011 Ó Springer Basel AG 2011 Abstract Measurements of the production and con- and managing aquatic systems. We identify four broad sumption of organic material have been a focus of aquatic research objectives that have motivated ecosystem metab- science for more than 80 years. Over the last century, a olism studies: (1) quantifying magnitude and variability of variety of approaches have been developed and employed metabolic rates for cross-system comparison, (2) estimating for measuring rates of gross primary production (Pg), res- organic matter transfer between adjacent systems or sub- piration (R), and net ecosystem production (Pn = Pg - R) systems, (3) measuring ecosystem-scale responses to within aquatic ecosystems. Here, we reconsider the range of perturbation, both natural and anthropogenic, and (4) approaches and applications for ecosystem metabolism quantifying and calibrating models of biogeochemical measurements, and suggest ways by which such studies can processes and trophic networks. The magnitudes of whole- continue to contribute to aquatic ecology. This paper system gross primary production, respiration and net eco- reviews past and contemporary studies of aquatic ecosys- system production rates vary among aquatic environments tem-level metabolism to identify their role in understanding and are partly constrained by the chosen methodology. We argue that measurements of ecosystem metabolism should Electronic supplementary material The online version of this be a vital component of routine monitoring at larger scales article (doi:10.1007/s00027-011-0199-2) contains supplementary in the aquatic environment using existing flexible, precise, material, which is available to authorized users.
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Timber Harvesting with Best Management Practices on Ecosystem Metabolism of a Low Gradient Stream on the United States Gulf Coastal Plain
    Water 2013, 5, 747-766; doi:10.3390/w5020747 OPEN ACCESS water ISSN 2073-4441 www.mdpi.com/journal/water Article Effects of Timber Harvesting with Best Management Practices on Ecosystem Metabolism of a Low Gradient Stream on the United States Gulf Coastal Plain Abram DaSilva 1, Y. Jun Xu 2,*, George Ice 3, John Beebe 4 and Richard Stich 5 1 Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; E-Mail: [email protected] 2 School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, 227 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA 3 National Council for Air & Stream Improvement, Inc., P.O. Box 458, Corvallis, OR 97339, USA; E-Mail: [email protected] 4 National Council for Air & Stream Improvement, Inc., 4601 Campus Drive #A-114, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA; E-Mail: [email protected] 5 Plum Creek Timber Company, P.O. Box 717, Crossett, AR 71635, USA; E-Mail: [email protected] * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-225-5784168; Fax: +1-225-5784227. Received: 4 April 2013; in revised form: 24 May 2013 / Accepted: 29 May 2013 / Published: 13 June 2013 Abstract: Stream metabolism can be used as a measure of freshwater ecosystem health because of its responsiveness to natural and anthropogenic changes. In this study, we used stream metabolic rates to test for the effects of a timber harvest with Louisiana’s current best management practices (BMPs). The study was conducted from 2006 to 2010 in a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) stand in north-central Louisiana, USA, 45 ha of which was clear cut harvested in the summer of 2007.
    [Show full text]
  • Estimating Ecosystem Metabolism to Entire River Networks
    Ecosystems https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-018-0311-8 Ó 2018 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature Estimating Ecosystem Metabolism to Entire River Networks Tamara Rodrı´guez-Castillo,* Edurne Este´vez, Alexia Marı´a Gonza´lez-Ferreras, and Jose´ Barquı´n Environmental Hydraulics Institute, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. Isabel Torres, 15, Parque Cientı´fico y Tecnolo´ gico de Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain ABSTRACT River ecosystem metabolism (REM) is a promising discharges and to different human activities (de- cost-effective measure of ecosystem functioning, as forestation or sewage outflows) that disrupt this it integrates many different ecosystem processes pattern. GPP was better explained by a combina- and is affected by both rapid (primary productivity) tion of ecosystem size, nitrate concentration and and slow (organic matter decomposition) energy amount of benthic chlorophyll a, whereas ER was channels of the riverine food web. We estimated better explained by spatial patterns of GPP plus REM in 41 river reaches in Deva-Cares catchment minimum water temperatures. The presented (northern Spain) during the summer period. We methodological approach improves REM predic- used oxygen mass-balance techniques in which tions for river networks compared to currently used primary production and ecosystem respiration were methods and provides a good framework to orien- calculated from oxygen concentration daily curves. tate spatial measures for river functioning restora- Then, we used recently developed spatial statistical tion and for global change mitigation. To reduce methods for river networks based on covariance uncertainty and model errors, a higher density of structures to model REM to all river reaches within sampling points should be used and especially in the river network.
    [Show full text]