Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory

16 Jun, 08 AM - 01 Sep, 03 AM

I propose to quantify how species diversity influences sediment transport in streams. Using an in situ manipulation in SNARL's stream channels, I will vary the diversity of benthic, hydropsychid caddisfly larvae, a group of species that is known to stabilize substrate in streams by constructing silken nets to filter food. To test the hypotheses that caddisfly diversity (1) increases the critical shear stress required to initiate bed mobility and (2) decreases the number of rocks moved during a flood by increasing the fraction of bed particles that are bound together by nets, I will compare experimental units with differing numbers of caddisfly species to controls that have no caddisflies. My work represents one of the first attempts to evaluate how the diversity of life can influence physical transport processes. It will also facilitate a better understanding of the link between biology and geomorphology, an area recently highlighted as a priority for future research.

Visit #20370 @Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory

Approved

Under Project # 21082 | Research

Impacts of biological diversity on sediment transport in streams

graduate_student - University of California, Santa Barbara

Reservation Members(s)

Lindsey Albertson Jun 16 - Sep 1, 2010 (78 days)
Group of 2 Undergraduate Student Jun 16 - Sep 1, 2010 (78 days)

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Q1 3 Jun 16 - Sep 1, 2010