Light and flow regimes regulate the metabolism of rivers
Mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation drive much of the variation in productivity across Earth's terrestrial ecosystems but do not explain variation in gross primary productivity (GPP) or ecosystem respiration (ER) in flowing waters. We document substantial variation in the magnitude and seasonality of GPP and ER across 222 US rivers. In contrast to their terrestrial counterparts, most river ecosystems respire far more carbon than they fix and have less pronounced and consistent seasonality in their metabolic rates. We find that variation in annual solar energy inputs and stability of flows are the primary drivers of GPP and ER across rivers. A classification schema based on these drivers advances river science and informs management.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2022 |
|---|---|
| Title | Light and flow regimes regulate the metabolism of rivers |
| DOI | 10.1073/pnas.2121976119 |
| Authors | Emily. S Bernhardt, Philip R. Savoy, Michael J Vlah, Alison Paige Appling, Lauren E Koenig, Robert O Hall Jr., Maite Arroita, Joanna Blaszczak, Alice M. Carter, Matthew J. Cohen, Judson Harvey, James B. Heffernan, Ashley M. Helton, J.D. Hosen, Lily Kirk, William H. McDowell, Emily H. Stanley, Charles Yackulic, Nancy B. Grimm |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |
| Index ID | 70239098 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Southwest Biological Science Center; WMA - Integrated Modeling and Prediction Division |
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Lauren Koenig
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Lauren Koenig
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