Predicting light regime controls on primary productivity across CONUS river networks
Solar radiation is a fundamental driver of ecosystem productivity, but widespread estimates of light available for primary producers in rivers are lacking. We developed a model to predict light available for river primary producers and used it to estimate river primary production across the contiguous United States (CONUS). Successively accounting for riparian and water column processes improved predictions of primary production as a function of light. We calculated the ratio of river width to riparian tree height and used this metric to predict whether riparian zones or water column processes most limit productivity for over 2 million reaches. Water column processes limited productivity for 50% of the nation's river length and 80% of its surface area, with variations across ecoregions related to riparian forest cover. Our findings facilitate large-scale predictions of stream and river ecosystem productivity, as well as understanding the processes controlling productivity across networks.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2021 |
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Title | Predicting light regime controls on primary productivity across CONUS river networks |
DOI | 10.1029/2020GL092149 |
Authors | Philip Savoy, Judson Harvey |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Geophysical Research Letters |
Index ID | 70239051 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | WMA - Earth System Processes Division |