Meteorological and riparian influences on organic matter dynamics in a forested Mediterranean stream

Abstract

Organic matter inputs, transport, and storage, ecosystem metabolism, and organic C turnover length were measured in a forested Mediterranean 3rd-order stream (Fuirosos) over a period of 3 y. Meteorological patterns influenced the organic matter dynamics of Fuirosos through 2 pathways: summer weather and flood pulses. Summer rains affected the timing of litter fall and the extent of flow intermittency, which gave rise to accumulations of organic matter in the streambed in dry years. With the onset of flow, these organic matter accumulations were the energy sources for considerable ecosystem respiration (30 g O2 m−2 d−1). Interflood periods punctuated by flood pulses determined cycles of steady accumulation and abrupt removal of stored organic matter. During the interflood periods, the efficiency of organic matter processing increased continuously. The seasonal changes in the riparian forest influenced the ecological consequences of the flood pulses. Resilience of the ecosystem, measured in terms of gross primary production and ecosystem respiration, strongly depended on the supply of benthic organic matter and light availability, both of which were seasonally variable in the deciduous riparian forest.