Headwater streams are considered to be the greatest contributor to nonpoint source and are a crucial part of overall watershed dynamics because they comprise more than 50-80% of stream networks and watershed land areas. This study addressed the influence of headwater areas (ephemeral and intermittent) on downstream hydrology and water quality following harvest as well as characteristics of vegetation communities within three first-order catchments in the Upper Gulf Coastal Plain of Mississippi. Four treatments representing a range of potential Best Management Practices (BMPs) for ephemeral drains were used: BMP1 - removal of all merchantable stems while leaving understory intact with minimum surface soil disturbance; BMP2 - same as BMP1 with the addition of logging debris to the drainage channel; No harvest - left uncut as a reference; Clearcut - total harvest with no BMPs applied. Harvested treatments caused the height of water table to increase up to 55 cm; however impacts of timber harvesting on peak discharge, storm discharge, and time of concentration were not consistent with water table response. Response time to stormflow was reduced significantly in harvested treatments (BMP2 and unrestricted harvest) as a result of decreased evapotranspiration and increased soil disturbance. Forest clearcutting in ephemeral drains caused intensive surface soil disturbance that resulted in substantial impacts to net soil erosion/deposition in both channel and hillslope positions and significantly increased total suspend sediment (TSS). There were no significant differences between two BMP and reference treatments in net soil erosion/deposition and TSS. Distinct vegetation communities between channel and hillslope positions in ephemeral-intermittent drains corresponded to water table gradients. Timber harvesting affected vegetation communities through direct and indirect disturbances. Four indicator species (V. blanda, L. glandulosa, A. gigantean, and P. acrostichoides) were identified as having a strong response to hydrologic gradients in ephemeral-intermittent drains.

No description available.

North American prairie headwater streams are highly threatened and relatively poorly studied. Most studies on prairie streams have occurred at the Konza Prairie Biological Station, a tallgrass prairie Long Term Ecological Research site in the Flint Hills ecoregion near Manhattan, KS. According to the Stream Biome Gradient Concept, several ecosystem factors vary along a gradient from more allochthonous forested streams to more autochthonous desert streams, with grassland streams often intermediate in several key ecological factors including litter inputs, primary production, and invertebrate abundance and biomass. However, few studies have examined the degree of variation that exists within prairie headwater streams, and whether this variation occurs along a longitudinal gradient as well, with more mesic tallgrass prairie streams differing from more xeric shortgrass prairie streams, and mixed-grass sites intermediate between the two. I examined thirteen prairie headwater stream sites in the central United States from 2014 to 2017. My objective was to determine whether basal resource composition – including standing stocks of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM), fine particulate organic matter (FPOM), and very fine particulate organic matter (VFPOM), sestonic and benthic chlorophyll-a levels, and sources of CPOM – differed significantly among streams in tallgrass, mixed-grass, and shortgrass prairie regions. In addition, I examined whether invertebrate communities differed among tallgrass, mixed-grass, and shortgrass prairie regions, and whether this was reflected in the functional feeding group composition, habit composition, voltinism, and dispersal ability of invertebrate communities. There were no significant differences in total CPOM, FPOM, and VFPOM standing stocks among regions. However, CPOM composition did differ with region, with tallgrass sites having higher standing stocks of leaf litter, but lower standing stocks of grass litter and macrophyte litter than the other regions. Benthic chlorophyll-a did not differ significantly among regions, but there were lower sestonic chlorophyll-a levels in tallgrass sites. Given higher light availability and nutrient levels in shortgrass and mixed-grass streams, lack of stable substrata may be limiting benthic algae in these regions. Invertebrate abundance and biomass were highest in mixed-grass sites and lowest in tallgrass sites, with shortgrass sites intermediate. Mixed-grass sites also had significantly higher Shannon diversity and taxa richness than tallgrass sites. A NMDS revealed that sites differed in overall community structure. Functional feeding group composition did not differ significantly across regions, with collector-gatherers, followed by predators, dominating in all sites. High Predator-Prey Index (predator biomass: other invertebrate biomass) values in each region indicates strong top-down pressure and high turnover rates of prey taxa. While there was a weak correlation between leaf litter AFDM and invertebrate community structure, the correlation between latitude and longitude and invertebrate community structure was much higher, indicating that basal resources may not be the main drivers in these systems. Invertebrate habit composition did not differ with region; all regions were dominated by taxa preferring fine substrata (burrowers and sprawlers). All regions showed selection against semivoltine invertebrates and were dominated by high dispersing insect taxa, though the proportion of the insect community that consisted of high dispersers did not differ significantly with region. My results suggest that generalizing about prairie streams based on studies from one or a handful of sites may not be prudent, at least for some aspects. The higher proportion of autochthonous inputs in shortgrass and mixed-grass regions may drive increased invertebrate abundance, biomass, richness, and diversity, but the relative hydrologic stability of the mixed-grass sites might also explain these results or have an interactive or additive relationship with primary production. Overall, the link between basal resources and communities across prairie types was somewhat weak, and all regions were dominated by collector-gatherers with rapid life-cycles and high dispersal abilities, indicating that disturbance may be a more important community filter than basal resource composition. Streams in all three regions have highly variable hydrology, and this may be an overriding factor that results in similarity in communities.

Les techniques d’échantillonnage passif comme le POCIS (« Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler ») ou le o-DGT (« Diffusive Gradient in Thin films » pour composés organiques) permettent d’obtenir une bonne représentativité de la contamination des eaux de surface par les micropolluants organiques. Cependant, ces dispositifs sont soumis à des conditions environnementales qui engendrent des biais sur la quantification des analytes cibles. Une meilleure connaissance des données issues de l’échantillonnage passif a donc été essentielle afin de les utiliser sur deux têtes de bassin versant. Pour cela un dispositif innovant, utilisant la technique DGT, a été développé et testé sur 4 pesticides ioniques. La robustesse du o-DGT étudiée sur une plage de pH allant de 3 à 8 et de force ionique allant de 0,01 à 1 mol.L-1, lui permette d’être utilisé dans la plupart des eaux naturelles. Des déploiements en milieu naturel et dans une rivière artificielle, en même temps que le déploiement de POCIS, a permis de comparer les performances de ces 2 échantillonneurs. Le POCIS, avec des limites de quantification plus basses, était l’échantillonneur le plus adapté au suivi de contamination des têtes de bassin versant, cependant il a été nécessaire de l’améliorer pour fiabiliser les concentrations de micropolluants mesurées.. Une libération de polyéthylène glycol issu des membranes utilisées pour la fabrication de POCIS provoquant des effets de matrice a été supprimé grâce à deux bains successifs d’1h d’un mélange 50:50 méthanol:eau suivi d’un bain de rinçage à l’eau. De même, une quantification des molécules cibles est obtenue grâce à des taux d’échantillonnage (Rs) déterminés dans conditions proches de celle de l’environnement. Les Rs de 44 molécules pharmaceutiques ont été déterminés grâce à une rivière artificielle. Après cette étape de fiabilisation, le POCIS a été appliqué à deux têtes de bassin versant avec des suivis de 1 et 3 ans sur, respectivement, l’Aixette et l’Auvézère. Des prélèvements ponctuels ont également été réalisés et ont pu mettre en évidence des pics de pollution de pesticides (> 2,3 g.L-1). Ces suivis « semi-continus » ont permis de mettre en évidence et de caractériser l’existence d’une pollution des têtes de bassin versant par les pesticides et les résidus pharmaceutiques. / Passive samplers, such as POCIS (Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler) or o-DGT (Diffusive Gradient in Thin films for organic compounds), allow to estimate surface water contamination by organic micropollutants. However, these devices are influenced by environmental conditions and quantification error can occur. A better knowledge of passive sampling data was therefore essential before the samplers’ application on headwater streams. An innovative sampler, using DGT technique, has been developed and tested on 4 ionic pesticides. The sampler is robust in a pH range from 3 to 8 and an ionic strength range from 0,01 to 1 mol.L-1, which allows to use it in the most of natural waters. Field deployments of POCIS alongside o-DGT in natural waters and in an artificial river made it possible to compare their performances. POCIS with lower limits of quantification was the most suitable sampler for monitoring organic compounds in headwater stream. A release of polyethylene glycol from membranes used in POCIS causing matrix effects was removed by two successive baths of 1h of a 50:50 mix of methanol:water followed by a rinsing bath of water. Quantification is achieved through sampling rates (Rs) estimated under revelant conditions. Rs of 44 pharmaceuticals were estimated in an artificial river. After these steps, POCIS was applied in two headwater streams for 1 and 3 years on Aixette and Auvézère, respectively. Grab samples were also collected and pollution peaks of pesticides were detected (> 2,3 g.L-1). These “semi-continuous” monitorings highlighted a pollution of headwater streams by pesticides and pharmaceuticals.

Dynamic expansions and contractions of stream networks can play an important role for hydrologic processes as they can connect different parts of the landscape to the stream channels. However, we know little about the temporal and spatial variations of stream networks during different flow and wetness conditions. This study focuses on the contraction and expansion of stream networks during different flow conditions in the boreal Krycklan catchment, located in Northern Sweden. The stream network and initiation points were extracted from a gridded digital elevation model (DEM) of 5-meter resolution, and then compared with the stream network initiation points (heads) observed during the spring flood (freshet) period in 2012. From the results of the study, it was clearly seen that the observed stream heads and the stream heads appearing in the stream network map extracted from DEM did not agree very well. 49% of the total observed stream heads (49) fell onto the low order stream branches and headwater streams derived from the DEM. Only few of them exactly matched the modeled stream heads. Moreover, the modeled stream network was much denser than the observed stream network, and so the simple raster based dynamic model developed could not well represent the dynamic stream network extension in the real system. Most headwater streams in the study catchment were man-made ditches, which were dug to drain water wetlands and to increase forest productivity. The majority of observed stream heads were formed by seepage from the saturated surrounding soils, while only a few of them were formed by saturation overland flow.  On the other hand, the dynamic stream network derived from the DEM suggested that the number of streams of lower order and their lengths was sensitive to change in streamflow, especially during the high flow episode.

No description available.

<div>Agricultural headwater streams in the Midwestern United States are subject to contaminants from fields, increased sedimentation, and degradation of natural habitat. Previous research has shown that physical instream habitat degradation better explained variation in fish community structure than water chemistry. However, these studies did not include total suspended solids (TSS), which are considered a major freshwater contaminant. The objective of this study is to determine whether total suspended solids better explains fish community structure than other variables in agricultural headwater streams. Mixed linear effects modeling was used to determine the set of independent variables that best predicts each of the fish response variables of species richness, Shannon diversity index, fish density, and index of biotic integrity. Standardized coefficients were used to determine which independent variable in each of the models had the largest influence on fish response metrics. The set of independent variables that best explained species richness were mean total suspended solids, imidacloprid, discharge, and substrate richness. Shannon diversity index was explained best by the combination of maximum total suspended solids, mean total suspended solids, atrazine, total nitrogen, and discharge. Fish density was explained best by the percentage of silt and clay, dissolved oxygen, the percentage of canopy cover, cover type richness, and discharge. IBI was explained best by the combination of the percentage of silt and clay, total phosphorus, mean total suspended solids, and dissolved oxygen. Total suspended solids was the most influential independent variable for fish species richness and Shannon diversity, however the percentage of silt and clay in benthic sediments was the most influential independent variable for fish density and IBI. Results also indicate discharge and total phosphorus as being influential to fish community metrics. The results from this study suggest that models containing a combination of different types of independent variables best explain fish community structure. This study supports the use of conservation and restoration practices that reduce total suspended solids and the amount of silt and clay present in bed sediments to increase fish community integrity of agricultural headwater streams of the Midwestern United States.</div>

<p>The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the ecological consequences of buffer strip retention on riparian and terrestrial biodiversity. Earlier studies on forest buffer strips have evaluated their effectiveness in relation to water quality and aquatic biota. However, forests along streams are species rich habitats for many organism groups. Buffer strip management is assumed to be important also for protecting such species. Current approaches to biodiversity-oriented forest management practices need to be scientifically evaluated. In this thesis the effects on bryophytes and land snails have been evaluated.</p><p>A before-and-after experiment along 15 small streams in northern Sweden showed that buffer strips of 10 m on each side of the stream moderated the negative effects exhibited at the clear-cuts. The number of land snail species remained similar as to before logging and the number of vanished bryophyte species was lower in the buffer strips than in the clear-cuts. The ground moisture influenced the survival rate of land snails at the clear-cuts. At mesic sites many species vanished but at wet sites the snail fauna was unaffected by the logging.</p><p>Many bryophyte species, most of them liverworts, decreased or disappeared in the buffer strips. These were mostly growing on substrates elevated from the forest floor, such as logs, stumps and tree-bases. A number of nationally red-listed species, sensitive for changes in microclimate, were among those decreasing most. Thus, for the species in most need of protection the buffer strips were too narrow.</p><p>An experiment with bryophyte transplants followed over a season showed that wet ground moisture moderated the negative edge effects in narrow buffer strips. On the other hand, the growth in mesic and moist sites was almost as low as in comparable clear-cuts.</p><p>Microclimatic edge effects are stronger at south facing than north-facing edges of forest clear-cuts. This was shown in an experiment using bryophyte growth as an indicator of differences in microclimate. However, the depth of edge influence seemed to be similar between north- and south-facing forest edges, >30 m for one species. An explanation for this could be that wind penetrates deeper into edges than solar radiation and has a more variable direction.</p><p>In conclusion, narrow buffer strips consist entirely of edge habitat. For many species the environment in buffer strips is good enough for persistence. For others, most notably bryophyte species on convex substrates, wider buffer strips are needed to ensure long-term survival. </p>

The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the ecological consequences of buffer strip retention on riparian and terrestrial biodiversity. Earlier studies on forest buffer strips have evaluated their effectiveness in relation to water quality and aquatic biota. However, forests along streams are species rich habitats for many organism groups. Buffer strip management is assumed to be important also for protecting such species. Current approaches to biodiversity-oriented forest management practices need to be scientifically evaluated. In this thesis the effects on bryophytes and land snails have been evaluated. A before-and-after experiment along 15 small streams in northern Sweden showed that buffer strips of 10 m on each side of the stream moderated the negative effects exhibited at the clear-cuts. The number of land snail species remained similar as to before logging and the number of vanished bryophyte species was lower in the buffer strips than in the clear-cuts. The ground moisture influenced the survival rate of land snails at the clear-cuts. At mesic sites many species vanished but at wet sites the snail fauna was unaffected by the logging. Many bryophyte species, most of them liverworts, decreased or disappeared in the buffer strips. These were mostly growing on substrates elevated from the forest floor, such as logs, stumps and tree-bases. A number of nationally red-listed species, sensitive for changes in microclimate, were among those decreasing most. Thus, for the species in most need of protection the buffer strips were too narrow. An experiment with bryophyte transplants followed over a season showed that wet ground moisture moderated the negative edge effects in narrow buffer strips. On the other hand, the growth in mesic and moist sites was almost as low as in comparable clear-cuts. Microclimatic edge effects are stronger at south facing than north-facing edges of forest clear-cuts. This was shown in an experiment using bryophyte growth as an indicator of differences in microclimate. However, the depth of edge influence seemed to be similar between north- and south-facing forest edges, &gt;30 m for one species. An explanation for this could be that wind penetrates deeper into edges than solar radiation and has a more variable direction. In conclusion, narrow buffer strips consist entirely of edge habitat. For many species the environment in buffer strips is good enough for persistence. For others, most notably bryophyte species on convex substrates, wider buffer strips are needed to ensure long-term survival.

No description available.