Dates:
28 February - 5 March 2010
Biome & Climate:
The river/stream biome supports a wealth of life including fish, turtles, insects and even some mammals. It is intensely tied to the surrounding land and relies heavily on its riparian zone for nutrient input, just as this zone relies on the health of the river for its survival. Streams rely on nitrogen and phosphorus inputs from the surrounding land, a vital nutrient for all life, but also require what is known as coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) which fuels many food webs. CPOM is generally composed of leaves and other organic debris, which is quickly colonized and broken down by a proession of bacteria, fungi, shredding insects, and other macroinvertebrates. Through this process, raw material is recycled and eventually returns to the riparian zone when aquatic insect larvae emerge from streams as adults and feed riparian organisms.
Unfortunately these ecosystems are extremely sensitive. Changes in water temperature of only a few degrees can quickly change what organisms can survive, upsetting vital processes and altering the way nutrients are recycled. Increases in water temperature also decrease the amount of dissolved oxygen available to sustain life, often killing both plants and animals.
Some Useful Links:
Rivers & Streams
Tangled Webs- Riparian Zones Streams
Accomodations:
Issues Affecting This Biome:
Matthew Young
youngm at my.hiram.edu
Last updated 6 December 2009