L5 Flashcards
Autotrophs
Organisms that produce their own energy
Heterotrophs
Organisms that consume energy from other organisms
Explain primary production
The process of creating new organic matter from inorganic materials
Autochothous inputs
Every produced from within the stream channel
Allochothonous
Energy produced outside of the stream channel
Autotrophic (p/r)
A reach that produces more oxygen than it consumes
Heterotrophic (p/r)
A reach that consumes more oxygen than it produces
Biofilm (considered an ecosystem)
Collection of algae, bacteria and more in a polysaccharide matrix produced by microorganisms
(Bacteria use cellular waste products to turn organic into inorganic compounds, which algae can then use)
Biofilms = periphyton
- Nutrients
- dom= dissolved organic matter
- light
Macro vs. Micro algae
Macro = see with naked eye, micro = not visible
Epilithon
Grows on stones +
Epixylon
Grows on wood +
Epipelon
Grows on sediment -
Epipsammon
Grows on sand-
Epiphyton
Grows on other plants
Factors that positively affect benthic algal distribution
- Light
- Nutrients
- Temp
Factors that affect benthic algal distribution negatively
- Substrate movement
- Scour
- Grazing
Must limiting factors that affect benthic algal distribution
Light, nutrients, and scour
Inorganic phosphorous
Limiting nutrient in temperate environments
Increased p=…
Increased periphyton
Increased p= change in periphyton species composition
Diatoms to bryophytes
Nitrate and ammonia (n)
Limiting nutrient in topical environments
Increased N =
Increased diatoms
Adherent algae forms
Increase in flow streams
Filamentous algae forms
Decrease in flowing streams
Ecology
The study of the relationships between living organisms, and between them and their physical environment
River continuum concept (rcc)
A proposed relationship between stream size and the shift of attributes of organisms to their communities (niche shifts)
