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Introduction
Lotic systems are a primary means of transport out of watersheds.
Recent studies have demonstrated that changes in carbon transport by
rivers may play a key role in understanding anthropogenic impacts on
global carbon cycling. Changes in land use, disturbance, and
agricultural and industrial activities can greatly modify the flux
of nutrients into streams and rivers, altering nutrient limitation,
primary production, and the potential for export of carbon fixed
within aquatic ecosystems.
Research Plan
The research plan is framed around the following questions:
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How much carbon is exported from watersheds in surface and
ground water, and how does that carbon flux vary with time? We
will measure dissolved and particulate carbon in surface and
ground water draining experimental watersheds.
Combined with flow data collected by the experimental watershed
network this will allow
us to quantify temporal patterns of carbon export from each
watershed.
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How does nutrient limitation vary in surface waters draining
each watershed and to what extent is nutrient limitation
influenced by land use and disturbance? We will use nutrient
diffusers to test the relative importance of nitrogen and
phosphorus limitation to growth of periphyton. This will
simultaneously provide a relative measure of primary production
at locations within each watershed that can be compared to
specific land uses or disturbances.
Portneuf
Basin Pulse Website
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