Riparian influences on the biophysical characteristics of seston in headwater streams.

Abstract

Suspended particles (seston) in streams are an important source of nutrition for many invertebrates, forming a strong trophic link between plant and animal production. In forested regions the management of riparian corridors may alter alloehthonous and autochthonous contributions to streams, ultimately changing the biophysical characteristics of seston. This article examines the effects of riparian condition on the biophysical parameters of seston at summer base-flow from 19 small, headwater streams (1 st - 3rd order) on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. Consistent with other studies, seston concentrations and percent of organic matter were not correlated with any single or combination of riparian characteristics. Nevertheless. there are several riparian effects on the biotic characteristics of seston. Chlorophyll-a concentrations were generally

Citation

Elliott, Scott R.; Naiman, Robert J.; Bisson, Peter A. 2004. Riparian influences on the biophysical characteristics of seston in headwater streams. Northwest Science. 78(2): 150-157