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Book ChapterDOI

Nutrient and Organic Matter Dynamics in Intermittent Rivers and Ephemeral Streams

TLDR
In this article, a review of existing knowledge on nutrient and organic matter dynamics in IRES considering in-stream processes, interactions with subsurface and lateral compartments, and linkages between terrestrial ecosystems and IRES networks at the catchment scale are discussed.
Abstract
The hydrological regimes of most intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES) include the alternation of wet and dry phases in the stream channel and highly dynamic lateral, vertical, and longitudinal connections with their adjacent ecosystems. Consequently, IRES show a unique ‘biogeochemical heartbeat’ with pulsed temporal and spatial variation in nutrient and organic matter inputs, in-stream processing, and downstream transport. Given that IRES are widespread, their improper consideration may cause inaccurate estimation of nutrient and carbon fluxes in river networks. Here, we review existing knowledge on nutrient and organic matter dynamics in IRES considering in-stream processes, interactions with subsurface and lateral compartments, and linkages between terrestrial ecosystems and IRES networks at the catchment scale. Moreover, knowledge gaps and research needs are discussed. Our purpose is to contribute to the flourishing knowledge and research on the biogeochemistry of IRES by providing a comprehensive view of nutrient and organic matter dynamics in these ecosystems.

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Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI

Salinity impacts on river ecosystem processes: a critical mini-review

TL;DR: Field-observations of salinity impacts on ecosystem processes such as leaf decomposition, metabolism, biomass production and nutrient cycling are reviewed, with a special emphasis on dryland ecosystems.
Journal ArticleDOI

Simulating rewetting events in intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams: A global analysis of leached nutrients and organic matter

Oleksandra Shumilova, +86 more
TL;DR: It is found that sediments, due to their large quantities within riverbeds, contribute most to the overall flux of dissolved substances during rewetting events, and that flux rates distinctly differ among climate zones.
Journal ArticleDOI

Quantifying spatiotemporal variation in headwater stream length using flow intermittency sensors

TL;DR: Stream length hysteresis was evident for larger storms with higher event and antecedent precipitation that resulted in peak runoff > 15 mm/day, and a correlation analysis between flow duration at the sensor locations and common topographic metrics used in stream network modeling did not fully explain spatial variation in flow duration.
Journal ArticleDOI

Drying and Rainfall Shape the Structure and Functioning of Nitrifying Microbial Communities in Riverbed Sediments

TL;DR: It is demonstrated that progressive drying drives considerable changes in in-stream N cycling and the associated nitrifying microbial communities, and that sporadic rainfall can modulate these effects.
Journal ArticleDOI

Sediment respiration pulses in intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams

D. von Schiller, +104 more
TL;DR: In this paper, a global study examined sediments from 200 dry IRES reaches spanning multiple biomes and found that mean respiration increased 32-fold to 66-fold upon sediment rewetting.
References
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Book

Stream Ecology: Structure and Function of Running Waters

TL;DR: An overview of the diversity of rivers and streams, including some of the causes of this diversity, and some of their consequences, can be found in this article, where the authors provide a roadmap for individual chapters that follow, rather than define terms and explain principles in any detail.
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