Original paper
Particulate organic matter and ecosystem metabolism dynamics in a temporary Mediterranean stream
Molla, Salvador; Maltchik, Leonardo; Casado, Carmen; Montes, Carlos
Archiv für Hydrobiologie Volume 137 Number 1 (1996), p. 59 - 76
56 references
published: Jul 18, 1996
DOI: 10.1127/archiv-hydrobiol/137/1996/59
ArtNo. ESP141013701003, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
Particulate organic matter (benthic and sestonic) and stream metabolism were determined in four occasions between January and June 1992 in a second order Mediterranean stream in SW Spain (Arroyo de la Montesina). We aimed to describe contrasting hydrological periods (presence and absence of surface flow) in terms of particulate organic matter resources and dynamics. The relationship between benthic (BOM) and sestonic (SOM) organic matter was examined using the BOM:SOM ratio (= BOM · SOM-1·d-1, where BOM is in g·m-2, SOM is in g·m-3, and d is the mean depth in metres). The Montesina stream appears to have two distinct phases related to the hydrological period: 1) Surface water flow, when the Montesina appears as a stream and is heterotrophic, with low productivity, low SOM, and high BOM:SOM ratio; and 2) No flowing water, when the Montesina appears as a series of superficially -isolated pools and is autotrophic, with higher productivity, higher SOM, and a low BOM:SOM ratio. Thus, the hydrological regime is important in controlling particulate organic matter dynamics in the Montesina stream, and probably in other temporary Mediterranean streams as well.
Keywords
ecosystem • metabolism • Spain