Periphyton development in relation to macro‐scale (geology) and micro‐scale (velocity) limiters in two gravel‐bed rivers, New Zealand

Abstract

Abstract Periphyton communities were sampled every 4 weeks for a year at five sites in the Motueka River and at one site in the adjacent Riwaka River, New Zealand. This was in an attempt to distinguish the relative importance of large‐scale catchment variables (geology/land use) from small‐scale local variables (velocity) in determining the development of periphyton in the rivers. Cellular nitrogen correlated positively with the proportion of the sub‐catchments in marble (r = 0.938, P 1 year) average production, but the micro‐scale factors are more important in determining short‐term (monthly) te...