Abstract
Benthic community metabolism was studied on four stream systems located in different biomes in the United States: the eastern deciduous forest (Pennsylvania, PA, and Michigan, MI), the high desert (Idaho, ID), and the coniferous forest (Oregon, OR). Studies were designed to test the hypothesis advanced within the River Continuum Concept that a transition in community metabolism will occur from a predominance of heterotrophy in headwaters to a predominance of autotrophy in mid-sized reaches, with a return to heterotrophy further downstream. Both gross primary productivity (GPP) and community respiration (CR24) increased with downstream direction on all systems. Net daily metabolism (NDM, or GPP − CR24) shifted from heterotrophy (−NDM, GPP < CR24) to autotrophy (+NDM, GPP > CR24) with downstream direction at all sites, supporting the hypothesis. Annual metabolism in the most upstream reach of all sites was dominated by respiration; however, the farthest downstream reach was not necessarily the most autotrophic. Site-specific factors affected manifestation of the trend. Photosynthesis predominated annual metabolism in reaches (designated 1–4 in order of increasing size) 2–4 in ID, 3 and 4 in OR, and 4 in MI. In PA annual photosynthesis was slightly greater than respiration only at Station 3. Photosynthesis was predominant most consistently in ID and respiration most often in PA. About half the reaches that were heterotrophic annually were autotrophic at one or more seasons. Annual means of benthic GPP, CR24 and NDM ranged from 0.16 to 3.37, 0.36 to 2.88 and −0.73 to 0.50 g O2 · m2 · d1, respectively. Metabolic rates were usually high in PA and MI (and sometimes ID) and almost always lowest in OR. Parameters accounting for most variance in multiple linear regression analyses of the combined metabolism data from all sites were indicators of stream size, photosynthetically active radiation, temperature, and chlorophyll a concentration.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
American Public Health Association, 1975. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 14th Edn. Am. Publ. Hlth. Ass., N.Y.
Axler, R. P., G. W. Redfield & C. R. Goldman, 1981. The importance of regenerated nitrogen to phytoplankton productivity in a subalpine lake. Ecology 62: 345–354.
Bidwell, R. G. S., 1977. Photosynthesis and light and dark respiration in freshwater algae. Can. J. Bot. 55: 809–818.
Bombowna, M., 1972. Primary production of a montane river. In Z. Kajak & A. Hillbricht-Ilkowska (eds.), Proc. IBPUNESCO Symp. Productivity Problems of Freshwaters. Kazimierz Dolny, Poland: 661–671.
Bott, T. L., J. T. Brock, C. E. Cushing, S. V. Gregory, D. King & R. C. Petersen, 1978. A comparison of methods for measuring primary productivity and community respiration in streams. Hydrobiologia 60: 3–12.
Bott, T. L. & F. P. Ritter, 1981. Benthic algal productivity in a piedmont stream measured by 14C and dissolved oxygen change procedures. J. Freshwat. Biol. 1: 267–278.
Brezonik, P. L., 1972. Nitrogen: sources and transformations in natural waters. In H. E. Allen & J. R. Kramer (eds.), Nutrients in natural waters. Envir. Sci. & Technol. Ser., Wiley-Interscience, N.Y.: 1–50.
Brock, J. T., 1980. Annual metabolism of a desert stream-segment ecosystem: Rock Creek, Idaho. M.S. Thesis, Idaho St. Univ., Pocatello, Idaho.
Busch, D. E. & S. G. Fisher, 1981. Metabolism of a desert stream. Freshwat. Biol. 11: 301–307.
Cohen, R. R. H., M. G. Kelly & M. R. Church, 1982. The effect of CO2 on the relationship of photosynthetic rate to light intensity in laboratory phytoplankton cultures. Arch. Hydrobiol. 94: 326–340.
Cushing, C. E., 1967. Periphyton productivity and radionuclide accumulation in the Columbia River, Washington, U.S.A. Hydrobiologia 29: 125–139.
Cushing, C. E., K. W. Cummins, G. W. Minshall & R. L. Vannote, 1983. Periphyton, chlorophyll a and diatoms of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho. Hol. Ecol. 6: 221–227.
Cushing, C. E. & E. G. Wolf, 1982. Organic energy budget of Rattlesnake Springs, Washington. Am. Midl. Nat. 107: 404–407.
de la Cruz, A. A. & H. A. Post, 1977. Production and transport of organic matter in a woodland stream. Arch. Hydrobiol. 80: 227–238.
Duffer, W. & T. C. Dorris, 1966. Primary productivity in a southern Great Plains stream. Limnol. Oceanogr. 11: 143–151.
Edwards, R. W. & M. Owens, 1962. The effects of plants on river conditions, 4. The oxygen balance of a chalk stream. J. Ecol. 50: 207–220.
Elwood, J. W. & D. J. Nelson, 1972. Periphyton production and grazing rates in a stream measured with a P-32 material balance method. Oikos 23: 295–303.
Eppley, R. W., 1981. Autotrophic production of particulate matter. In A. R. Longhurst (ed.), Analysis of Marine Ecosystems. Academic Press, N.Y.: 343–361.
Fisher, S. G. & S. R. Carpenter, 1976. Ecosystem and macrophyte primary production of the Fort River, Massachusetts. Hydrobiologia 47: 175–187.
Fisher, S. G., L. J. Gray, N. B. Grimm & D. E. Busch, 1982. Temporal succession in a desert stream ecosystem following flash flooding. Ecol. Monogr. 32: 93–110.
Fisher, S. G. & G. E. Likens, 1973. Energy flow in Bear Brook, New Hampshire: an integrative approach to stream ecosystem metabolism. Ecol. Monogr. 43: 421–439.
Flemer, D. A., 1970. Primary productivity of the north branch of the Raritan River, New Jersey. Hydrobiologia 35: 273–296.
Gelroth, J. V. & G. R. Marzolf, 1978. Primary production and leaf-litter decomposition in natural and channelized portions of a Kansas stream. Am. Midl. Nat. 99: 238–243.
Grzenda, A. R. & M. L. Brehmer, 1960. A quantitative method for the collection and measurement of stream periphyton. Limnol. Oceanogr. 5: 190–194.
Gunnerson, C. G. & T. E. Bailey, 1963. Oxygen relationships in the Sacramento River. Proc. Am. Soc. Civ. Engrs. 89 SA4: 95–124.
Hall, C. A. S., 1972. Migration and metabolism in a temperate stream ecosystem. Ecology 53: 586–604.
Hannan, H. A. & T. C. Dorris, 1970. Succession of a macrophyte community in a constant temperature river. Limnol. Oceanogr. 15: 442–453.
Hansmann, E. W., C. B. Lane & J. D. Hall, 1971. A direct method of measuring benthic primary production in streams. Limnol. Oceanogr. 16: 822–826.
Hargrave, B. T., 1972. Aerobic decomposition of sediment and detritus as a function of particle surface area and organic content. Limnol. Oceanogr. 17: 583–596.
Hill, B. H. & J. R. Webster, 1982. Periphyton production in an Appalachian river. Hydrobiologia 97: 275–280.
Holm-Hansen, O. & B. Riemann, 1978. Chlorophyll a determination: improvements in methodology. Oikos 30: 438–447.
Hornberger, G. M., M. G. Kelly & B. J. Cosby, 1977. Evaluating eutrophication potential from river community productivity. Wat. Res. 11: 65–69.
Horner, R. R. & E. B. Welch, 1981. Stream periphyton development in relation to current velocity and nutrients. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 38: 449–457.
Hornick, L. E., J. R. Webster & E. F. Benfield, 1981. Periphyton production in an Appalachian mountain trout stream. Am. Midl. Nat. 106: 22–36.
Hornuff, L., 1957. A survey of four Oklahoma streams with reference to production. Oklahoma Fish. Res. Lab. Rep. 62: 1–22.
Hoskin, C. M., 1959. Studies of oxygen metabolism of streams of North Carolina. Publs Inst. mar. Sci. Texas 6: 186–192.
Hough, R. A., 1976. Light and dark respiration and release of organic carbon in marine macrophytes. Aust. J. Pl. Physiol. 3: 63–68.
Kobayasi, H., 1961a. Chlorophyll content in sessile algal community of Japanese mountain river. Bot. Mag. Tokyo 74: 228–235.
Kobayasi, H., 1961b. Productivity in sessile algal community of Japanese mountain river. Bot. Mag. Tokyo 74: 331–341.
Kobayasi, H., 1972. Chlorophyll content and primary production of the sessile algal community in the mountain stream Chigonozowa running close to the Kiso Biological Station of the Kyoto University. Mem. Fac. Sci., Kyoto Univ., Ser. Biol. 5: 89–107.
Kowalczewski, A. & T. J. Lack, 1971. Primary production and respiration of phytoplankton of the Rivers Thames and Kennet at Reading. Freshwat. Biol. 1: 197–212.
Leopold, L. B., M. G. Wolman & J. P. Miller, 1964. Fluvial processes in geomorphology. W. H. Freeman & Co., S. Francisco.
Lewis, M. A. & S. D. Gerking, 1979. Primary productivity in a polluted intermittent desert stream. Am. Midl. Nat. 102: 172–174.
Liaw, W. K. & H. R. MacCrimmon, 1978. Assessing changes in biomass of riverbed periphyton. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 63: 155–179.
Lorenzen, C. J., 1967. Determination of chlorophyll and pheopigments: Spectrophotometric equations. Limnol. Oceanogr. 12: 343–346.
Lotspeich, F. B., 1980. Watersheds as the basic ecosystem: this conceptual framework provides a basis for a natural classification system. Wat. Res. Bull. 16: 581–586.
Lyford, J. H., Jr. & S. V. Gregory, 1975. The dynamics and structure of periphyton communities in three Cascade Mountain streams. Verh. int. Ver. theor. angew. Limnol. 19: 1610–1616.
Mahan, D. C. & K. W. Cummins, 1978. A profile of Augusta Creek in Kalamazoo and Barry Counties, Michigan. Tech. Rep. 3: W. K. Kellogg biol. Stn, Mich. St. Univ., Lansing, Mich.
Marker, A. F. H., 1976a. The benthic algae of some streams in southern England, 1. Biomass of the epilithon in some small streams. J. Ecol. 64: 343–358.
Marker, A. F. H., 1976b. The benthic algae of some streams in southern England, 2. The primary production of epilithon in a small chalk-stream. J. Ecol. 64: 359–373.
McConnell, W. J. & W. F. Sigler, 1959. Chlorophyll and productivity in a mountain stream. Limnol. Oceanogr. 4: 335–351.
McCree, K. J., 1972. Test of current definition of photosynthetically active radiation against leaf photosynthesis data. Agric. Meterol. 10: 443–453.
McDiffet, W. F., A. E. Carr & D. L. Young, 1972. An estimate of primary productivity in a Pennsylvania trout stream using a diurnal curve technique. Am. Midl. Nat. 87: 564–570.
Minshall, G. W., 1978. Autotrophy in stream ecosystems. BioSci. 28: 767–771.
Minshall, G. W., J. T. Brock & T. W. LaPoint, 1982. Characterization and dynamics of benthic organic matter and invertebrate functional feeding group relationships in the upper Salmon River, Idaho (USA). Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 67: 793–820.
Minshall, G. W., J. T. Brock, D. A. McCullough, R. Dunn, M. R. McSorley & R. Pace, 1975. Process studies related to the Deep Creek ecosystem. U.S./IBP Desert Biome Research Memorandum, 75–46. Utah St. Univ., Logan.
Minshall, G. W., R. C. Petersen, K. W. Cummins, T. L. Bott, J. R. Sedell, C. E. Cushing & R. L. Vannote, 1983. Interbiome comparison of stream ecosystem dynamics. Ecol. Monogr. 53: 1–25.
Moeller, J. R., G. W. Minshall, K. W. Cummins, R. C. Petersen, C. E. Cushing, J. R. Sedell, R. A. Larson & R. L. Vannote, 1979. Transport of dissolved organic carbon in streams of different physiographic characteristics. Org. Geochem. 1: 139–150.
Naiman, R. J., 1976. Primary production, standing stock and export of organic matter in a Mohave Desert thermal stream. Limnol. Oceanogr. 21: 60–73.
Naiman, R. J., 1983. The annual pattern and spatial distribution of aquatic oxygen metabolism in boreal forest watersheds. Ecol. Monogr. 53: 73–94.
Naiman, R. J. & J. R. Sedell, 1979. Benthic organic matter as a function of stream order in Oregon. Arch. Hydrobiol. 87: 404–422.
Naiman, R. J. & J. R. Sedell, 1980. Relationships between metabolic parameters and stream order in Oregon. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 37: 834–847.
Nelson, D. J. & D. C. Scott, 1962. Role of detritus in the productivity of a rock outcrop community of a piedmont stream. Limnol. Oceanogr. 7: 396–413.
Nie, N. H., C. H. Hull, J. G. Jenkins, K. Steinbrenner & D. H. Bent, 1975. SPSS: Statistical package for the social sciences. McGraw Hill Publishing Co. Ltd., N.Y.
Odum, E. P., 1971. Fundamentals of ecology. W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia.
Odum, H. T., 1966. Primary production in flowing waters. Limnol Oceanogr. 1: 102–117.
Odum, H. T., 1957. Trophic structure and productivity of Silver Springs, Florida. Ecol. Monogr. 27: 55–112.
Owens, M., 1965. Some factors involved in the use of dissolved oxygen distribution in streams to determine productivity. In C. R. Goldman (ed.), Primary productivity in aquatic environments. Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 18, Suppl., University of California Press, Berkeley: 209–224.
Pennak, R. W. & J. W. Lavelle, 1979. In situ measurements of net primary productivity in a Colorado mountain stream. Hydrobiologia 66: 227–235.
Petersen, R. C. & K. W. Cummins, 1974. Leaf processing in a woodland stream. Freshwat. Biol. 4: 343–368.
Pfeifer, R. F. & W. F. McDiffett, 1975. Some factors affecting primary productivity of stream riffle communities. Arch. Hydrobiol. 75: 306–317.
Pryfogle, P. A. & R. L. Lowe, 1979. Sampling and interpretation of epilithic lotic diatom communities. In R. L. Weitzel (ed.), Methods and measurements of periphyton communities: A review. Am. Soc. Test. Mater., Philadelphia: 77–81.
Seyfer, J. R. & J. Wilhm, 1977. Variation with stream order in species composition, diversity, biomass and chlorophyll of periphyton in Otter Creek, Oklahoma. SWest. Nat. 22: 455–467.
Scheffe, H., 1959, The analysis of variance. John Wiley & Sons, N. Y.
Shreve, R. L., 1975. Statistical law of stream numbers. J. Geol. 74: 17–37.
Simonsen, J. F. & P. Harremoes, 1978. Oxygen and pH fluctuations in rivers. Wat. Res. 12: 477–489.
Solorzano, L., 1969. Determination of ammonia in natural waters by the phenolhypochlorite method. Limnol. Oceanogr. 14: 799–801.
Stockner, J. G. & K. R. S. Shortreed, 1976. Autotrophic production in Carnation Creek, a coastal rainforest stream on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 33: 1553–1563.
Strahler, A. N., 1957. Quantitative analyses of watershed geomorphology. Trans. Am. Geophys. Un. 38: 913–920.
Strickland, J. D. H. & T. Parsons, 1972. A practical handbook of seawater analysis. Fish. Res. Bd Can., Ottawa.
Sumner, W. T. & S. G. Fisher, 1979. Periphyton production in Fort River, Massachusetts. Freshwat. Biol. 9: 205–212.
Syrett, P. J., 1962. Nitrogen assimilation, In R. A. Lewin (ed.), Physiology and Biochemistry of Algae, Academic Press, N.Y.: 171–188.
Talling, T. F., 1973. The application of some electrochemical methods to the measurement of photosynthesis and respiration in fresh water. Freshwat. Biol. 3: 335–362.
Tett, P., C. Gallegos, M. G. Kelly, G. M. Hornberger & B. J. Cosby, 1978. Relationships among substrate, flow, and benthic microalgal pigment density in the Mechums River, Virginia. Limnol. Oceanogr. 23: 785–797.
Thomas, N. A. & R. I., O'Connell, 1966. A method for measuring primary production by stream benthos. Limnol. Oceanogr. 11: 386–392.
Tilley, L. J. & W. L. Hauschild, 1975. Use of productivity of periphyton to estimate water quality. J. Wat. Pollut. Cont. Fed. 47: 2157–2171.
Tominaga, H. & S. Ichimura, 1966. Ecological studies on the organic matter production in a mountain river ecosystem. Bot. Mag., Tokyo 79: 815–829.
Vannote, R. L., 1981. The River Continuum: A theoretical construct for the analysis of river ecosystems. In R. D. Cross & D. L. Williams (eds.), Proc. natn. Symp. Freshwat. Inflow to Estuaries, V. 2: Fish & Wildlife Serv., U.S. Dep. Interior, Washington: 209–304.
Vannote, R. L., G. W. Minshall, K. W. Cummins, J. R. Sedell & C. E. Cushing, 1980. The river continuum concept. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 37: 130–137.
Wetzel, R. G., 1975. Primary production. In B. A. Whitton (ed.), River Ecology, University of California Press, Berkeley: 239–247.
Wilhm, J., J. Cooper & H. Namminga, 1978. Species composition, diversity, biomass, and chlorophyll of periphyton in Greasy Creek, Red Rock Creek, and the Arkansas River, Oklahoma. Hydrobiologia 57: 17–23.
Wissmar, R. C., J. E. Richey, R. F. Stallard & J. M. Edmund, 1981. Plankton metabolism and carbon processes in the Amazon River, its tributaries, and foodplain waters, Peru-Brazil, May–June 1977. Ecology 62: 1622–1633.
Woodwell, G. M. & R. H. Whittaker, 1968. Primary production in terrestrial ecosystems. Am. Zool. 8: 19–30.
Wright, J. C. & I. K. Mills, 1967. Productivity studies on the Madison River, Yellowstone National Park. Limnol. Oceanogr. 12: 568–577.
Yallop, M. L., 1982. Some effects of light on algal respiration and the validity of the light and dark bottle technique for measuring primary productivity. Freshwat. Biol. 12: 427–433.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bott, T.L., Brock, J.T., Dunn, C.S. et al. Benthic community metabolism in four temperate stream systems: An inter-biome comparison and evaluation of the river continuum concept. Hydrobiologia 123, 3–45 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006613
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006613