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Can bryophytes be used to characterize hydrologic permanence in forested headwater streams?
Citation:
FRITZ, K. M., J. M. Glime, J. Hrbljan, AND J. GREENWOOD. Can bryophytes be used to characterize hydrologic permanence in forested headwater streams? ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 9(4):681-692, (2009).
Impact/Purpose:
The primary objective of this study is to provide assessment programs with tools to assess functional attributes of headwater streams. In particular this study will 1) provide rapid and cost-effective methods for measuring ecosystem functions across the hydrological gradient (i.e., ephemeral, intermittent and perennial), 2) assess the effectiveness of the rapid methods relative to more time-consuming methods, and 3) assess the relationships between structural and functional measures.
Description:
Recent court cases have questioned whether all headwater streams, particularly those that are not perennial, fall within the protective boundaries of the Clean Water Act. Rapid field-based indicators of hydrologic permanence are critically needed for jurisdictional determinations. The study objective was to determine whether characteristics of bryophyte assemblages in forested headwater streams can be useful indicators of hydrologic permanence.