Premium
Effects of Sedimentation on Soil Nutrient Dynamics in Riparian Forests
Author(s) -
Lockaby B. G.,
Governo R.,
Schilling E.,
Cavalcanti G.,
Hartsfield C.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2005.0390
Subject(s) - biogeochemical cycle , sedimentation , biogeochemistry , riparian zone , mineralization (soil science) , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , nutrient , nutrient cycle , floodplain , ecosystem , streams , ecology , soil science , soil water , geology , biology , sediment , geomorphology , computer network , geotechnical engineering , habitat , computer science
The influence of sedimentation rates on biogeochemistry of riparian forests was studied near ephemeral streams at Fort Benning, GA. Upper reaches of seven ephemeral streams had received varying rates of sedimentation stemming from erosion along unpaved roadways at the military installation. Two reference catchments were also included in the study. Decomposition of foliar litter, microbial C and N, N mineralization, and arthropod populations were compared within and among catchments. Rates of sedimentation over the past 25 yr ranged from 0 in references to 4.0 cm yr −1 Decomposition rates declined exponentially with sedimentation rates as low as 0.20 to 0.32 cm yr −1 and appeared to reach an equilibrium at a sedimentation rate of 0.5 cm yr −1 Nitrogen mineralization and microbial C and N followed the same trend. Sedimentation had no discernible effect on arthropod populations. These data suggest that biogeochemical cycles may be altered by sedimentation rates that commonly occur in some floodplain forests.