11 - Linkages and Complexities in Watershed Ecosystems Flashcards
What Are Watershed Ecosystems?
areas of land where all the rain and snowmelt flow into a common river or lake. They include forests, wetlands, rivers, and more. The health of the land directly affects the quality of the water.
what are examples of water as an ecosystem linkage
Canoeing Fish and habitat
Domestic supply
Human health
Culture
Biodiversity
Navigation
Irrigation
Power
Flood control
Sewage treat.
Economic develop.
Sedimentation
Forests
Aesthetics
what is a disturbance
– Natural and human disturbances; interacting
what is the difference between natural and human disturbances
– Severity: materials left, variability
– Patterns: spatial variability
– Processes: random or deterministic
define cumulative effects
aquatic habitat can be influenced
by both local riparian and watershed-scale disturbances
what are the theories for aquatic ecosystems
- River Continuum
- Network Dynamics
- Aquatic System Continuum
define the river continuum concept (RCC)
idea that explains how rivers change from their starting point in the mountains (headwaters) to where they meet the sea (mouth). Along this journey, the river’s speed, temperature, and the types of plants and animals living in it all change. It helps us understand how different parts of a river are connected and influenced by each other.
characteristics of headwater streams
– heavily shaded, leaf litter is
important
– shredders / collectors are
abundant
characteristics of mid order streams
– less shaded, algae more
important
– grazers abundant
characteristics of large rivers
not shaded, phytoplankton
present
– collectors important
what is Aquatic System Continuum
It helps us understand how changes in one water area can affect others, and it considers everything from the start in mountains to where water meets the sea. This broader perspective is important for taking care of all types of water habitats.
