Stream‐Watershed Relations in the Missouri Ozark Plateau Province

Abstract

AbstractWater chemistry and algal chlorophyll values in Missouri Ozark streams were more strongly related to land‐use practices on the watershed than bedrock geology or soil association. In general, concentrations of nutrients, chlorophyll, and most major ions were lowest in streams draining forests, intermediate in streams draining pastures, and highest in streams draining urban areas. In streams draining both forest and pasture areas, there was an exponential increase in the concentration of total P, total N, NO3−‐N, Na+, Cl−, and suspended chlorophyll a with an increase in percent pasture area on the watershed. These relations help identify the relative importance of land use on water chemistry and algal chlorophyll values, explain differences among streams in the region and enable us to approximate the impact of forest‐pasture conversion on streams not yet affected.