Abstract
This study was conducted to characterize periphyton biomass, productivity, and algal species composition, and to examine how these parameters changed seasonally over the course of two years in Walker Branch, a temperate forest stream. Seasonal variations in several factors potentially controlling periphyton (irradiance, streamwater nutrient concentrations, temperature, and the incidence of severe storms) were large. However, there was no consistent seasonal variation in herbivore (snail) density, which was high (> 1000 animals/m 2 ). Regression analysis was conducted to determine the influence of potential controlling factors on periphyton biomass and productivity. Seasonal changes in periphyton biomass were small and only weakly related to irradiance (-), snail density (-), and temperature (+). Biomass was lowest in early spring and highest in summer in 1989; but during the following year, biomass was similar year-round. Seasonal variation in primary productivity was also relatively small, but w...
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