Aiming to investigate the deposition of pollen grains and spores in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro State, 61 surface sediment samples were analyzed. The results showed that the current deposition of palynomorphs in surface sediments of Guanabara Bay represents the regional vegetation of this hydrographic basin. The differential distribution of palynomorphs followed a pattern influenced by bathym...

Studies throughout the western United States have shown that livestock can degrade riparian vegetation and stream channels and produce sediment, pathogen, and nutrient loading. This study at the Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center is the first to focus on effects of livestock grazing on hardwood rangeland springs and associated riparian resources. Cattle grazing treatments at three in...

Question: How can vegetation gradients be described in riparian zones located in a species-rich mountain range and how do these gradients explain the variation found in the vegetation? Location: Hottentots Holland Mountains, Western Cape, South Africa. Methods: Three gradients (geographic, longitudinal, lateral) were defined to describe the complex vegetation patterns found here. The gradients ...

Although changes in depth to groundwater occur naturally, anthropogenic alterations may exacerbate these fluctuations and, thus, affect vegetation reliant on groundwater. These effects include changes in physiology, structure, and community dynamics, particularly in arid regions where groundwater can be an important water source for many plants. To properly manage ecosystems subject to changes ...

Riparian zones represent ecotones between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and are of utmost importance to biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Modelling/mapping of these valuable and fragile areas is needed for an improved ecosystem management, based on an accounting of changes and on monitoring of their functioning in time. In Europe, the main legislative driver behind this goal is the Eur...

1. The organic matter dynamics of streams dominated by herbs and grass on their banks are poorly understood, despite the fact that such streams are common worldwide. Further, herbs and grasses can provide large quantities of detritus to stream food webs, and particularly small streams can be heavily shaded by overhanging vegetation, perhaps limiting in-stream primary production. 2. We quantifie...

National Forests and Water Guidelines require the establishment of riparian buffers to help protect the freshwater environment from disturbance by silvicultural operations on the adjacent land. The main functions of the riparian buffer are considered to be sediment removal and erosion control, protection of water quality, moderation of shade and water temperature, maintenance of habitat structu...

—Fire has been an imperative ecological force that has shaped the natural history andculture of the Southeastern Coastal Plain. In the past, humans have influenced the “ natural” roleof fire in the southeast, first by Native Americans, then by Spanish and other European settlement,and finally by modern culture. As human culture developed, fire, and how it influenced wildlifepopu...

-Riparian ecosystems are sites of important biogeochemical processes that affect the composition and structure of the streamside biota as well as aquatic systems. Microbial activity, coupled with the slow diffusion of oxygen in waterlogged riparian soils, causes anaerobic conditions and reduction in reduction­ oxidation (redox) potential. Redox potentials provide a useful measurement as to the ...