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ALGAL COMMUNITIES OF SPRINGS AND STREAMS IN THE MT. ST. HELENS REGION, WASHINGTON, U.S.A. FOLLOWING THE MAY 1980 ERUPTION 1
Author(s) -
Rushforth Samuel R.,
Squires Lorin E.,
Cushing Colbert E.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1111/j.1529-8817.1986.tb04155.x
Subject(s) - streams , river ecosystem , debris , volcano , ecological succession , algae , bedrock , ecology , biology , ecosystem , habitat , erosion , range (aeronautics) , volcanic ash , disturbance (geology) , geology , oceanography , paleontology , computer network , materials science , computer science , composite material
Mt. St. Helens, a volcanic peak in the Cascade Range in southern Washington erupted violently on May 18, 1980, causing enormous damage to both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The initial explosion evaporated, scoured or buried all springs and streams in the blast impact area. Ash fall and erosion from defoliated hillsides subsequently filled most of the lotic habitats with organic debris and volcanic ash. Recolonization of springs and streams by algae occurred quickly in areas where erosion through the ash progressed down to bedrock. Within 15 months or less of the eruption, algal communities were established throughout the blast impact area. However, as a result of the initial and continued disturbance these communities remained in an early successional stage. Floral assemblages were highly variable except that they were composed mostly of diatoms, with Achnanthes minutissima dominating most lotic sites. Springs showed the most rapid development toward stable floras.